Best 7 Quick Italian Salad Recipes

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When it comes to quick and easy meals, Italian salad is always a winner. Packed with fresh, flavorful ingredients and a tangy dressing, this salad is sure to please everyone at the table. Whether you're looking for a light lunch or a side dish to accompany your favorite Italian entree, there's a quick Italian salad recipe out there that's perfect for you. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can have a delicious, healthy salad that's sure to impress.

Let's cook with our recipes!

QUICK ITALIAN PASTA SALAD



Quick Italian Pasta Salad image

A quick and flavorful pasta salad with salami and bell peppers.

Provided by Trish

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Rotini Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (12 ounce) package tri-color rotini pasta
¾ pound Italian salami, finely diced
½ green bell pepper, sliced
½ red bell pepper, sliced
½ red onion, chopped
1 cup Italian-style salad dressing
1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives
8 ounces small fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine)
3 (.7 ounce) packages dry Italian-style salad dressing mix, or to taste
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain and rinse with cold water until cool.
  • Combine pasta, salami, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, onion, salad dressing, olives, and mozzarella cheese in a large bowl. Mix dry salad dressing into pasta; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 370.9 calories, Carbohydrate 29.2 g, Cholesterol 46 mg, Fat 21 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 15.2 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 1893.1 mg, Sugar 5.4 g

QUICK ITALIAN SALAD



Quick Italian Salad image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (pre-grated in a pack from the store)
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon vinegar
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 clove garlic, pressed
Juice of 1 lemon
1 head romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
1/2 head iceberg lettuce, chunked
6 whole pepperoncini
1/2 cup whole black olives
1/2 cup whole red cherry tomatoes
1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced into circles
1/3 cup grated Parmesan

Steps:

  • For the dressing: In a blender, add the olive oil, mayonnaise, Parmesan, parsley, sugar, vinegar, black pepper, salt, red pepper flakes, garlic and lemon juice and blend until pureed.
  • For the salad: Put the romaine and iceberg greens in a large bowl and toss with the dressing. Top the salad with the pepperoncini, olives, tomatoes and onions. Sprinkle with Parmesan at the end.

QUICK ITALIAN BROCCOLI SALAD



Quick Italian Broccoli Salad image

Brighten up your winter meals with this crisp and colorful salad. Tomatoes, broccoli, mushrooms and red onions mingle with crunchy water chestnuts, all draped in a zesty bottled dressing. Dorothy Myrick of Kent, Washington shared this recipe.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 10m

Yield 9 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 small red onion, sliced and separated into rings
1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
3/4 cup reduced-fat Italian salad dressing
1-1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, onion, water chestnuts and mushrooms. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Add tomatoes; gently toss.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 38 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 1mg cholesterol, Sodium 295mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

QUICK ITALIAN SALAD DRESSING



Quick Italian Salad Dressing image

As a diabetic who likes salads, I was tired of plain vinegar and oil topping the greens. So I came up with this tongue-tingling dressing.-George Greenauer, Spencerport, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 10m

Yield 2/3 cup.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon finely chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sugar substitute equivalent to 2 to 4 teaspoons sugar

Steps:

  • Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake well. Refrigerate overnight.

Nutrition Facts :

QUICK ITALIAN PASTA SALAD



Quick Italian Pasta Salad image

I came up with this recipe after making the boxed kind for many years and I would doctor it up with fresh veggies, so I thought why not just make my own! It's super quick and easy and you can add as much or as many veggies that you like or use your own favorite dressing.

Provided by Meekocu2

Categories     European

Time 38m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (12 ounce) box barilla tri-color spiral pasta
1 (16 fluid ounce) bottle kraft zesty fat-free Italian salad dressing
1 medium cucumber
1 medium bell pepper (any color will do)
3 medium roma tomatoes
1/2 medium red onion (purple)
1 small zucchini or 1 medium zucchini
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
diced cheese (optional)
diced pepperoni (optional)

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside to drain well.
  • Cut cucumber, bell pepper, and onion into bite sized pieces. Place into the bowl you will be using for the salad.
  • Cut tomatoes in half and and in half again and deseed. Cut into bite sized pieces. Add to the bowl.
  • Cut stem and bottom off zucchini. Shred zucchini and add to the other vegetables.
  • Make sure the pasta is very well drained, and add to the bowl.
  • Pour salad dressing over pasta and vegetables. Use as little or as much as you like. I think it needs quite a bit since the pasta will soak some up.
  • Add the italian seasoning.
  • Mix well and chill at least 4 to 6 hours or over night for best flavors. Stirring occasionally.
  • To serve top with diced cheese and pepperoni if using.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 203, Fat 1.3, SaturatedFat 0.3, Cholesterol 1.1, Sodium 638.6, Carbohydrate 40.9, Fiber 2.7, Sugar 8.3, Protein 7

QUICK ITALIAN SALAD



Quick Italian Salad image

When I'm looking to use up garden-fresh vegetables, this is the recipe I reach for. Toss in whatever vegetables you like...the results are always fantastic.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 1-1/2 cups dressing.

Number Of Ingredients 10

Salad greens
Sliced tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms and green pepper or vegetables of your choice
1 cup canola oil
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Arrange greens and vegetables in a salad bowl or on individual salad plates. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine all remaining ingredients; shake well. Serve over salad.

Nutrition Facts :

QUICK ITALIAN PASTA SALAD



QUICK ITALIAN PASTA SALAD image

Categories     Pasta     Pepper     Sausage

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 package (12 ounce) tri-color rotini pasta
3/4 pound Italian salami, finely diced
1/2 green bell pepper, sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 cup Italian-style salad dressing
3 packages (.7 ounce) dry Italian-style dressing mix, or to taste
1 can (6 ounce) black olives, sliced
8 ounces small fresh mozzarella balls/ciliegine
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain and rinse with cold water until cool.
  • Combine pasta, salami, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, onion, salad dressing, olives, and mozzarella cheese in a large bowl.
  • Mix dry salad dressing into pasta; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Tips:

- To save time, use pre-washed and chopped lettuce and other vegetables. - For a more flavorful salad, use a variety of fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, and thyme. - If you don't have any fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs instead. Just be sure to use about half the amount of dried herbs as you would fresh herbs. - To add a bit of sweetness to your salad, try adding some diced fruit, such as grapes, apples, or oranges. - For a nutty flavor, add some chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans. - If you want a more creamy dressing, you can add some sour cream or yogurt to the vinaigrette. - Be sure to taste your dressing before you add it to the salad, and adjust the seasonings as needed. - Toss the salad gently to coat the leaves evenly with the dressing. - Serve the salad immediately or chill it for later.

Conclusion:

The recipes in this article provide a variety of delicious and healthy Italian salad options. Whether you're looking for a light and refreshing salad or a more hearty and filling meal, there's sure to be a recipe here that you'll enjoy. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious Italian salad that will impress your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a healthy and flavorful meal, give one of these recipes a try.

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