This Italian salad is a blend of fresh greens, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, cheese and croutons, all tossed together in a homemade dressing. A colorful and easy salad that is quick to make and always gets rave reviews from family and friends!

I serve salad as a side dish almost every night! Some of my family’s favorite salads include chickpea salad, cucumber tomato salad , and this zesty Italian style salad.

This Italian salad is a blend of fresh greens, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, cheese and croutons, all tossed together in a homemade dressing. - 1 This Italian salad is a blend of fresh greens, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, cheese and croutons, all tossed together in a homemade dressing. - 2 A bowl of Italian salad with cucumber, cheese and croutons. - 3

When pizza, pasta or another Italian style delicacy is on the dinner menu, I always serve an Italian salad on the side. You just can’t go wrong with fresh veggies, crunchy croutons and parmesan in a creamy dressing!

How do you make Italian salad?

Start by preparing the dressing which is a blend of olive oil, vinegar, Italian dressing mix, herbs, spices and a bit of mayonnaise. Whisk everything together until the dressing is smooth and creamy. Place romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, olives, parmesan cheese, pepperoncinis and croutons in a bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the salad then toss to combine. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Bowls of lettuce, vegetables, cheese and croutons. - 4

Tips for the perfect salad

  • I often buy a bag of pre-washed and pre-chopped lettuce to save some time.
  • The dressing will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week in a jar or airtight container.
  • This salad is best when served immediately, as the lettuce will soften as it sits in the dressing.
  • You can chop the veggies up to 8 hours before you plan to serve the salad.
  • I use a mandoline to slice my red onions as thin as possible.
  • Any type of cucumber will work here – I typically use an English cucumber which doesn’t need to be peeled or seeded.
  • You can buy shaved parmesan in tubs at the grocery store, typically in the deli area. Or grab a block of cheese and a vegetable peeler and make your own shavings!
  • In a hurry? You can use your favorite store bought Italian dressing instead of making your own.
Homemade salad dressing in a bowl with a whisk. - 5

Italian salad flavor variations

This salad is delicious as-is, but you can absolutely add other ingredients to make the flavors your own.

  • Lettuce: Swap out the romaine for spinach, a mixed greens blend, butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce. Add some shredded radicchio for a bit of extra color and flavor.
  • Protein: Turn this Italian salad into a main course by adding diced cooked chicken, canned chickpeas or diced salami.
  • Vegetables: Feel free to add extra veggies such as roasted red peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, shaved fennel, mushrooms, grilled zucchini or shredded carrots.
  • Cheese: Instead of parmesan, you can also use fresh mozzarella balls or cubes of provolone cheese.
  • Add-Ins: Add extra flavor with sun dried tomatoes or pine nuts. Or stir in some cooked penne or rotini to turn it into a pasta salad!
A bowl of lettuce topped with olives, tomatoes, cheese and croutons. - 6

Once you try my zesty and heart Italian salad, you’ll find yourself making it every week; it’s just that good!

Tongs serving up a portion of Italian salad. - 7

More salad recipes you’ll enjoy

  • Mexican Salad
  • Tomato Avocado Salad
  • Panzanella Salad
  • Black Bean Salad
  • Pear Salad

Italian Salad video

Ingredients1x2x3x

For the salad

  • ▢ 6 cups romaine lettuce coarsely chopped
  • ▢ 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • ▢ 3/4 cup cucumber quartered and sliced
  • ▢ 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • ▢ 1/3 cup pepperoncini peppers whole
  • ▢ 1/2 cup black olives sliced
  • ▢ 3/4 cup croutons
  • ▢ 1/4 cup parmesan cheese shaved

For the dressing

  • ▢ 1 packet Italian dressing mix
  • ▢ 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ▢ 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
  • ▢ 1/4 cup water
  • ▢ 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • ▢ 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ▢ 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ▢ 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

Instructions

For the salad

  • Place the lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, pepperoncini, olives, croutons and parmesan in a large bowl.

For the dressing

  • Place all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth.
  • Pour approximately 2/3 cup of dressing over the salad. Toss until well combined, then serve immediately.

Nutrition

This Italian salad is a blend of fresh greens, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, cheese and croutons, all tossed together in a homemade dressing. - 8 A bowl of Italian salad with cucumber, cheese and croutons. - 9

Italian Salad

Ingredients

For the salad

  • 6 cups romaine lettuce coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 3/4 cup cucumber quartered and sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup pepperoncini peppers whole
  • 1/2 cup black olives sliced
  • 3/4 cup croutons
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese shaved

For the dressing

  • 1 packet Italian dressing mix
  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

Instructions

For the salad

  • Place the lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, pepperoncini, olives, croutons and parmesan in a large bowl.

For the dressing

  • Place all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth.
  • Pour approximately 2/3 cup of dressing over the salad. Toss until well combined, then serve immediately.

Video

Nutrition