Olive Garden Salad Recipe – Perfect for Homemade Italian Meals & Family Dinners!

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Introduction

The Olive Garden salad is a classic favorite, known for its fresh, crisp ingredients and tangy dressing. Lina Vexley’s version of this popular salad brings the essence of Olive Garden right to your dining table, with all the right flavors and textures that make it so irresistible. Packed with crunchy greens, cherry tomatoes, olives, and topped with creamy Italian dressing, this salad is the perfect addition to any homemade Italian meal or family dinner. It’s quick, refreshing, and full of flavor, making it an excellent side dish or a light, satisfying meal on its own.

Olive Garden Salad Recipe – Perfect for Homemade Italian Meals & Family Dinners!

Olive Garden Salad

This homemade Olive Garden salad combines fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, olives, and a tangy Italian dressing, making it the perfect side dish for Italian meals and family dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 180 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups romaine lettuce chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/4 cup black olives sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onions thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup pepperoncini peppers sliced
  • 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1/4 cup Italian dressing store-bought or homemade

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, thinly sliced red onions, and pepperoncini peppers.
  • Add the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese to the salad.
  • Drizzle with Italian dressing and toss gently to combine all ingredients.
  • Serve immediately, or refrigerate for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Notes

This Olive Garden salad can be made ahead of time by prepping the vegetables and storing the dressing separately. Just toss everything together before serving. You can also add croutons for extra crunch!

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 7gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 450mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 1.2mg
Keyword Family Dinner, Italian, Olive Garden, salad
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How to Make the Recipe

  1. Prepare the vegetables: Start by chopping the romaine lettuce and halving the cherry tomatoes. Slice the black olives, red onions, and pepperoncini peppers thinly. Place all the vegetables into a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add the cheeses: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the vegetables. These cheeses will add creaminess and flavor to the salad.
  3. Make the dressing: Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all the ingredients. The dressing will bring everything together and add a tangy flavor.
  4. Serve: You can serve this salad immediately, or refrigerate it for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and enhance the taste.

Conclusion

This Olive Garden salad is the perfect side dish to serve with any Italian meal, or it can be enjoyed as a light and healthy lunch or dinner on its own. The combination of crisp romaine, tangy peppers, savory olives, and creamy cheeses makes this salad a delightful addition to your table. Easy to make and full of flavor, it’s ideal for family dinners, meal prepping, or even casual gatherings. Enjoy the taste of Italy from the comfort of your home with this simple, fresh, and satisfying salad.