Description
This Homemade Antipasto Salad is a vibrant and flavorful Italian-inspired dish combining fresh romaine lettuce, savory salami, mozzarella, provolone cheese, marinated vegetables, and a zesty Italian dressing. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick, refreshing appetizer or light meal that offers a delightful balance of textures and tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Greens
- 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
Meats & Cheeses
- 4 oz hard salami, cut into ½” cubes
- 4 oz small mozzarella cheese balls
- 4 oz sharp provolone cheese, cut into ½” cubes
Vegetables
- ½ cup canned roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
- ½ cup canned sliced black olives, drained
- 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Dressing & Seasoning
- ¼ cup Italian dressing
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables and Ingredients: Chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Cube the hard salami and sharp provolone cheese into ½-inch pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes, and chop the roasted red peppers and fresh basil leaves finely. Drain the marinated artichoke hearts, sliced black olives, and mozzarella cheese balls to remove excess liquid.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped romaine lettuce, cubed salami, mozzarella balls, cubed provolone cheese, chopped roasted red peppers, drained black olives, marinated artichoke hearts, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped basil leaves. Mix gently to combine all the hearty ingredients evenly.
- Add Dressing and Season: Drizzle the Italian dressing over the salad ingredients. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference. Gently toss the salad using salad tongs or two large spoons to ensure all components are evenly coated without bruising the delicate vegetables and cheese.
- Serve: Transfer the antipasto salad to a serving bowl or individual plates. Serve immediately, chilled or at room temperature, to enjoy the freshest flavors and textures.
Notes
- You can substitute the hard salami with other cured meats like pepperoni or soppressata if desired.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the Italian dressing and marinated artichokes are gluten-free.
- To keep the salad vibrant, add dressing just before serving to avoid sogginess.
- Feel free to add additional veggies like cucumbers or red onions for extra crunch.
- This salad pairs excellently with crusty Italian bread or as a side to grilled meats.
