Best 8 Easy Italian Salad Recipes

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In the realm of culinary delights, the easy Italian salad stands as a testament to the simplicity and vibrancy that characterizes Italian cuisine. This humble dish, often served as a refreshing appetizer or light lunch, embodies the essence of Italian culinary philosophy, emphasizing fresh, high-quality ingredients that harmonize to create a symphony of flavors. With just a handful of easily accessible components, this salad transports you to the heart of the Italian countryside, offering a delightful burst of colors, textures, and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. So, embark on this culinary journey and discover the secrets behind crafting the perfect easy Italian salad, a delightful fusion of simplicity and sophistication that will elevate your dining experience to new heights.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

EASY ITALIAN POTATO SALAD



Easy Italian Potato Salad image

You'll want to take this simple-to-assemble potato salad to all your picnics and outings. It's always on the menu when my tomato plants yield a bumper crop. Feel free to improvise by adding other fresh vegetables.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

5 to 6 medium red potatoes, cooked and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup chopped red onion
3 to 4 plum tomatoes, quartered
1/3 cup olive oil
3 to 4 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 jar (5-3/4 ounces) pimiento-stuffed olives, drained and halved
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Lettuce leaves, optional

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Serve salad in a lettuce-lined bowl if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 95 calories, Fat 8g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 528mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

EASY ITALIAN TOMATO SALAD



Easy Italian Tomato Salad image

My guests were delighted with the colorful fresh-tasting salad. It has a wonderful dressing-made with fresh basil and parsley-to complement the juicy tomato slices.-Faye Wortman, Evansville, Indiana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

5 tablespoons olive oil
4-1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 garlic clove, peeled
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 medium tomatoes, sliced
1 small red onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings

Steps:

  • In a blender, combine the first seven ingredients; cover and process until smooth. Arrange the tomatoes in a shallow serving dish; top with onion and dressing. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 127 calories, Fat 12g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 108mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

EASY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD



Easy Italian Pasta Salad image

This salad is easy to make and everyone loves it!

Provided by slopez5084

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 55m

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (16 ounce) package bow-tie pasta
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
2 (6 ounce) cans sliced black olives
5 stalks celery, chopped
1 (8 ounce) bottle Italian-style salad dressing, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the bow-tie pasta at a boil, stirring occasionally, until cooked through yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes; drain. Rinse pasta in cold water until cool; drain.
  • Toss drained pasta, tomatoes, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, cucumber, black olives, and celery together in a large bowl.
  • Pour Italian-style dressing over the pasta mixture; toss to coat.
  • Chill salad 20 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 189.1 calories, Carbohydrate 27.6 g, Fat 7.4 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 456.2 mg, Sugar 3.8 g

EASY ITALIAN SPINACH SALAD



Easy Italian Spinach Salad image

A simple homemade dressing makes this salad a flavorful option for any meal, but it's ideal with lasagna, spaghetti, manicotti and more. -Cathy Desper, Staunton, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 15m

Yield 10 servings (2/3 cup vinaigrette).

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 packages (6 ounces each) fresh baby spinach
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
4 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup salad croutons

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, garlic and Italian seasoning; set aside., Divide spinach among 10 salad plates; top with tomatoes and onions. Drizzle with vinaigrette; sprinkle with cheese and croutons.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 104 calories, Fat 9g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 75mg sodium, Carbohydrate 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

EASY ITALIAN BREAD SALAD



Easy Italian Bread Salad image

For a fresh-tasting side dish, Kathleen serves Italian Bread Salad. "This pretty blend is a snap to prepare. "For variety add whatever veggies you like, such as green or yellow peppers, zucchini, summer squash or sliced olives," she suggests.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 slices Italian or French bread (1 inch thick)
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise and sliced
1 medium cucumber, seeded and chopped
2 to 3 green onions, sliced
2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
Lettuce leaves
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon dried basil

Steps:

  • Brush both sides of bread with 1 tablespoon oil. Place on a baking sheet. Broil 4 in. from the heat for 1-2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Cut into 1-in. cubes. , In a large bowl, toss the bread cubes, tomatoes, cucumber, onions and cheese. Divide among four lettuce-lined salad plates. In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, garlic, basil and remaining oil. Drizzle over salads. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 176 calories, Fat 9g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 2mg cholesterol, Sodium 222mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

EASY ITALIAN SALAMI PASTA SALAD



Easy Italian Salami Pasta Salad image

This is a recipe that is easy to make from ingredients that are often in the fridge/ storecupboard. If it is served straight after the minimum 30 minute chill time, you may find that there is a lot of dressing in the salad- this is so that it doesn't dry out if it is stored in the fridge for a few days. Serves 4 as a side dish but this would also make a good take-to work lunch or potluck dish.

Provided by Shuzbud

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups dry pasta (I use fusilli)
8 large slice salami (4oz)
10 -15 black olives
1/2 cup rehydrated sun-dried tomato
1 yellow bell pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, very finely grated
salt and pepper
10 -15 leaves fresh basil

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
  • Meanwhile, cut the salami into strips. Slice the black olives and dice the sundried tomatoes and bell pepper. Set all these ingredients aside.
  • In a large salad bowl, mix the olive oil and red wine vinegar. Whisk with a fork (or whisk) until they are completely blended and the dressing is a uniform colour throughout.
  • Add the parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to the dressing and mix.
  • When the pasta is cooked to your liking, remove it from the heat. Drain it and rinse it in cold water until the pasta is cold. Drain it again.
  • Add the cooled pasta and the chopped ingredients to the dressing in the bowl. Stir well to mix the ingredients together.
  • Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to blend.
  • Just before serving, scatter chopped fresh basil leaves over the top.

EASY ITALIAN TOSSED SALAD



Easy Italian Tossed Salad image

"I like to serve this salad with Italian food or with grilled steak or chicken and a baked potato. It's such a colorful, appetizing to-look-at salad." Rita Addicks - Weimar, TX

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 10m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups fresh cauliflowerets
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup sliced red onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
4 cups shredded lettuce

Steps:

  • In a large salad bowl, combine the cauliflower, tomatoes, celery, onion and green pepper. Add the salad dressing; toss to coat. Cover and chill until serving., Just before serving, add lettuce and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 100 calories, Fat 8g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 368mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

EASY ITALIAN SALAD



Easy Italian Salad image

This salad's easy since the dressing is made ahead. What's more, it's proved popular with everyone who tastes it.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 14-16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup olive oil
6 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 jar (4 ounces) diced pimientos, drained
1 garlic clove, minced
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can (14 ounces) water-packed artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained and quartered
1 medium red onion, halved and sliced
16 to 18 cups torn salad greens
Additional Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

  • In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the first seven ingredients; shake well. In a bowl, combine artichokes and onion. Add dressing and toss gently. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. , Just before serving, pour artichoke mixture over greens and toss to coat. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan if desired.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the salad will taste. Look for ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and flavorful herbs.
  • Don't overdress the salad: A light vinaigrette or dressing is all you need to enhance the flavors of the vegetables. Too much dressing will weigh the salad down and make it soggy.
  • Add some protein: If you want a more substantial salad, add some grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu. This will help to keep you feeling full and satisfied.
  • Make it a meal: Serve the salad with a side of bread or pasta to make a complete meal. You can also add a bowl of soup or a side of fruit.
  • Get creative: There are endless possibilities when it comes to Italian salad recipes. Experiment with different ingredients and dressings to find your favorite combination.

Conclusion:

Italian salads are a delicious and refreshing way to enjoy fresh vegetables. They are also a healthy and versatile dish that can be served as a side dish or a main course. With so many different recipes to choose from, there is sure to be an Italian salad that everyone will enjoy.

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