This Italian Chopped Salad is a light, yet hearty salad that tastes like your favorite Italian sub sandwich without the bread!
This recipe was developed by me for STAR Fine Foods, who I have an ongoing relationship with. All opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for helping to support the brands that I love!
Pneumonia, you guys. I’ve got Pneumonia.
Truly awful.
Day five of antibiotics though, so I’m starting to feel human again.
This has been the one time I desperately wish Paul could cook. Goodness knows he is a.ma.zing. in all other aspects of the house – bathrooms, floors, laundry, repair…you name it. Just not cooking.
But after almost two weeks, I’d reached my limit on take-out. So I ordered groceries online (glorious by the way!), and compiled a list of easy healthy dinners he could potentially make, albeit with my attention and guidance. At least I didn’t need to stand!
This Italian Chopped Salad is one of my all-time favorites and I make it often since I always have the ingredients on hand, thanks to my beloved STAR Fine Foods. It’s light, yet filling. So flavorful and healthy. Just what the doctor ordered!
I had actually just made it a few weeks ago to photograph. And a good thing, too. Because Paul’s end result, while tasted delicious, didn’t have anything cut uniformly. OCD nightmare. Lol. But, you know what? HE TRIED. He tried so hard. And I love him that much more for it.
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How To Make This Italian Chopped Salad Recipe
Italian Chopped Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup ditalini pasta
- 3 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
- 15 once (1 can) chickpeas ,drained
- 1 cup cubed summer sausage
- 1 cup cubed Provolone (or Mozzarella)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes ,halved
- 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts ,drained and chopped
- 1/4 cup pimento stuffed olives ,halved
- 1/2 cup diced green onions
For The Dressing
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cloves garlic ,minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil; cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta, Romaine, chickpeas, sausage, cheese, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, olives, and green onions.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all the the ingredients for the dressing, except the olive oil. Then slowly stream in the olive oil to emulsify. (Alternatively, you can place all the ingredients in a jar with a lid and shake until completely combined and thickened.) Drizzle over all the salad ingredients and gently toss to coat.
- Serve immediately or chill for an hour and enjoy!
Nutrition
Wady says
Delicious mix of flavors
Millie says
So sorry you’ve been sick. My family doesn’t care for olives. Do you have a suggestion for a replacement? Thanks.
Amy @Belly Full says
Hi Millie! You can just omit them. The salad will still be wonderful.
Carol says
What a beautiful salad, and it could be adjusted to taste! I am a huge salad fan and always appreciate new salad inspiration. Thanks for this.
Marnie says
Delicious salad! Huge hit at my quilt retreat. So sorry you had pneumonia. Had it once. Thought it was the end. Take care.
Marcia says
Looks yummy, what do you consider summer sausage, the picture resembles genoa salami?
Amy @Belly Full says
It is similar to salami in taste, but it is not sliced thin. It comes in a large, long tube-like package. I would recommend Googling it to see what it looks like.
LeAnn says
Thank you for this recipe. I made exactly as instructed and took it to a potluck. It was delicious. I will definitely make it again.
GM says
Made this for dinner and left overs are for lunches! Used black olives instead of green. Delicious and my kids like it too!
Amy @Belly Full says
So happy to hear it!
REBECCA WATSON says
How many calories are in the Italian chopped salad?
Amy @Belly Full says
Hi Rebecca – there are nutritional calculators available online that can figure that information out for you by plugging in the information. Thanks!
greg says
I just made your Italian Salad, and it looks fantastic!! I’m a little weird, and I REALLY don’t taste my creation until its done.The Main ingredients are chilling down, as is the dressing, and olive oil chilling seperatly. Once everything is nice n cold, mix, mix, serve, serve, and, PIGOUT!!! Ill let you know!!
Reg says
Aren’t those grape tomatoes? I thought cherry tomatoes were over an inch in diameter . . . ?
Amy @Belly Full says
You can use either.
John says
Cherry tomatoes can be small as in picture or larger, quarter size. Larger ones would be best cut into 4ths so as to be the same size as other imgredients. That is often what is done in a chopped salad. Same size ingredients.
Melissa says
AW HE TRIED. That is seriously the best. <3 I still love how alike he and Steve are in that way though – Steve doesn't cook, but he vacuums, mops, dusts, does laundry, cleans cat boxes, etc. etc. etc. A fair trade? (I probably get the better deal!)
So happy you are finally getting better!
Amy @Belly Full says
I totally got the better deal. I think I would literally die without him!
KarenI says
This Italian chopped salad looks delicious and can’t wait to try it. Pneumonia is no fun and really zaps your energy. I sincerely hope you get over this soon. Thank you for this wonderful recipe. Take good care.
Karen
Amy @Belly Full says
Thank you, Karen!