Description
Olive Garden salad brings Italian restaurant magic right to home kitchens with crisp romaine, zesty pepperoncini, and signature Italian dressing. Crunchy croutons and parmesan cheese complete this restaurant-inspired classic that you can easily recreate for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Greens and Vegetables:
- 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup black olives, whole or sliced
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, drained
Cheese and Toppings:
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup croutons, homemade or store-bought
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Craft the vibrant dressing by combining creamy mayonnaise, tangy vinegar, bright lemon juice, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, aromatic Italian seasoning, subtle sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a mixing vessel.
- Gradually incorporate olive oil into the mixture, whisking with consistent, smooth motions until the dressing achieves a silky, homogeneous consistency.
- Place the prepared dressing in the refrigerator to chill and allow flavors to meld while assembling the remaining salad components.
- Layer crisp, chopped romaine lettuce as the verdant foundation of the salad.
- Scatter red onion slivers across the lettuce for a sharp, vibrant accent.
- Distribute halved cherry tomatoes throughout the salad for bursts of juicy freshness.
- Sprinkle sliced black olives to introduce a rich, briny element.
- Generously dust the salad with additional grated Parmesan cheese for a savory finish.
- Retrieve the chilled dressing and drizzle generously over the prepared salad just before serving.
- Toss the ingredients gently to ensure each component is delicately coated with the zesty dressing.
Notes
- Customize the dressing’s tanginess by adjusting the vinegar and lemon juice quantities to suit your taste preferences.
- Create a lighter version by substituting Greek yogurt for half the mayonnaise, reducing overall calorie content without compromising flavor.
- Enhance the dressing’s depth by using freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-packaged alternatives for a richer, more authentic taste.
- Store the dressing in an airtight container for up to a week, allowing flavors to meld and intensify during refrigeration.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg