Description
Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is a vibrant and flavorful Italian-inspired salad featuring a combination of crunchy iceberg and romaine lettuce, creamy mozzarella, savory Italian salami, and hearty chickpeas, all tossed in a zesty garlic mustard dressing with Pecorino Romano cheese. This quick and easy recipe serves as a perfect light meal or side dish, ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Salad 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
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅓ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (or grated Parmesan cheese)
Salad
- 1 head shredded iceberg lettuce (5-6 cups)
- 1 head shredded romaine lettuce (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: Add all salad dressing ingredients — olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, black pepper, and Pecorino Romano cheese — into a small bowl or jar. Whisk vigorously or seal and shake until fully combined and emulsified.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the shredded iceberg lettuce, shredded romaine lettuce, drained chickpeas, thinly sliced Italian salami, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Pour the prepared dressing over the top.
- Toss and Serve: Toss the salad thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well coated with the dressing. Serve immediately for the freshest taste. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for 1-2 days, keeping the dressing separate if prepping in advance.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the Italian salami.
- Use freshly grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese for best flavor.
- Salad is best enjoyed fresh as lettuce can wilt over time.
- Leftover salad dressing can be refrigerated for up to one week.
- Ensure chickpeas are well-drained to avoid soggy salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
