Description
The Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is a vibrant and hearty Italian-inspired salad featuring a zesty homemade dressing, crisp iceberg and romaine lettuces, protein-rich chickpeas, flavorful Italian salami, and gooey shredded mozzarella cheese. This salad is perfect as a main dish or a satisfying side, combining fresh textures and bold flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard (or 1 teaspoon dry mustard)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- ⅓ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (or grated Parmesan cheese)
Salad
- 1 head shredded iceberg lettuce (about 5–6 cups)
- 1 head shredded romaine lettuce (about 4–5 cups)
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ¼ lb (4 ounces) Italian salami, thinly sliced
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, pepper, and grated Pecorino Romano cheese. Whisk thoroughly until fully emulsified or, if using a jar, tightly close the lid and shake vigorously to blend all ingredients.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the shredded iceberg lettuce, shredded romaine lettuce, rinsed chickpeas, thinly sliced Italian salami, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly to ensure all components are evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy the La Scala Chopped Salad fresh for optimal texture and flavor. If storing leftovers, keep the salad refrigerated for 1-2 days and store any extra dressing separately to maintain freshness for future servings.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the Italian salami or substitute with a plant-based deli meat.
- Use freshly grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese for a more authentic flavor.
- This salad is best enjoyed the day it is prepared to maintain the crispness of the lettuce.
- Leftover dressing can be refrigerated for up to 5 days; shake well before using.
- Feel free to customize the salad by adding other ingredients like cherry tomatoes or cucumbers for extra freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: La Scala Salad, Italian Chopped Salad, Chopped Salad Recipe, Italian Salad, Salami Salad, Easy Salad Dressing, No-Cook Salad
