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Fresh Olive Garden Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Italian Meal Starter

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A crisp and flavorful salad featuring romaine and iceberg lettuce, fresh veggies, and a zesty homemade Italian dressing, perfect as a starter for any Italian meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped or torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano recommended)
  • 1 cup croutons (garlic-seasoned preferred)
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Rinse the romaine and iceberg lettuce thoroughly under cold water. Shake off excess water or spin in a salad spinner until dry. Chop or tear into bite-sized pieces. (About 10 minutes)
  2. Thinly slice the red onion, halve the cherry tomatoes, and shred the carrots. Set aside. (5 minutes)
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. (5 minutes)
  4. In a large salad bowl, combine the romaine, iceberg, carrots, onions, black olives, and cherry tomatoes.
  5. Pour the dressing evenly over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat every leaf.
  6. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and croutons on top. Toss lightly again or leave them on top to keep the crunch. (1-2 minutes)
  7. Serve immediately alongside your Italian meal.

Notes

For best results, keep dressing separate until serving to avoid soggy greens. Freshly grate Parmesan cheese for superior flavor. Homemade croutons toasted until golden add the best crunch. Dressing can be made up to a week ahead and stored refrigerated. For vegan or dairy-free versions, omit Parmesan or use plant-based alternatives. Use gluten-free croutons or nuts for gluten-free option.

Nutrition

Keywords: Olive Garden salad, Italian salad, homemade Italian dressing, romaine salad, easy salad recipe, Italian starter, fresh salad

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/fresh-olive-garden-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-italian-meal-starter/