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Italian Chopped Salad

Packed with crisp lettuce, creamy mozzarella, smoky provolone, tangy salami, and tossed in a zesty homemade Italian dressing, it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Salad
  • 1 head Iceberg Lettuce about 3 cups, chopped
  • 1 head Romaine Lettuce 3–4 cups, chopped
  • 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes or 1 cup diced tomatoes, halved
  • 1 English Cucumber sliced
  • 8 oz Fresh Mozzarella cut into bite-size pieces
  • ¼ –½ lb Salami cut into bite-size pieces
  • 4 oz Provolone Cheese cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 14-oz can Chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 2 Tbsp Pepperoncini finely diced
  • ¼ Red Onion thinly sliced (optional)
  • Shaved Parmesan Cheese for garnish
  • Homemade Italian Dressing
  • ½ cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
  • ¼ cup Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 Garlic Clove minced
  • ½ tsp Dried Oregano
  • ½ tsp Dijon Mustard
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Black Pepper

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Salad Base
  2. Chop iceberg and romaine lettuce into bite-size pieces.
  3. Slice tomatoes, cucumber, mozzarella, provolone, and salami.
  4. Finely dice pepperoncini. Add sliced red onion if using.
  5. Season the Chickpeas (Optional)
  6. Drain and rinse chickpeas. Toss with 1 Tbsp olive oil, ¼ tsp dried basil, ¼ tsp oregano, and a pinch of chili flakes for extra flavor.
  7. Make the Dressing
  8. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
  9. For a smoother texture, blend with an immersion blender.
  10. Assemble the Salad
  11. In a large salad bowl, combine all salad ingredients.
  12. Pour dressing over the top and toss until evenly coated.
  13. Finish and Serve
  14. Garnish with shaved Parmesan, black pepper, or red pepper flakes.
  15. Serve immediately.

Notes

Tips & Notes Use cherry or grape tomatoes for sweetness; heirloom tomatoes work too.
English or Hot House cucumbers are best since they’re seedless and crisp. Try marinated mozzarella balls for even more flavor.
Choose high-quality salami—either thinly sliced or deli-cut thick. Pepperoncini adds tang and mild spice, but you can reduce or omit if sensitive.
Substitutions:
Swap chickpeas with white beans like cannellini or navy beans. Use arugula or green leaf lettuce instead of iceberg/romaine.
Replace salami with pepperoni, ham, or turkey for a lighter option.
For dairy-free, skip the cheeses and add olives or roasted red peppers.
What to Serve With It Italian Charcuterie Board:
Marry Me Chicken
Fettuccine Alfredo
Crusty Garlic Bread
Italian Braised Beef with Polenta