The Famous La Scala Chopped Salad Recipe: A Crisp Classic

When my favorite Italian restaurant serves their legendary La Scala chopped salad, conversations at the table immediately pause.

Crisp vegetables dance with unexpected flavor combinations that make ordinary lunch feel extraordinary.

Every bite reveals carefully balanced ingredients blending perfectly together.

Legendary chefs in Milan would nod with appreciation at this delightful creation.

Restaurant-inspired dishes often seem intimidating, but this recipe proves anyone can craft something spectacular.

Careful slicing and smart ingredient selection make all the difference in recreating this classic.

You’ll want to gather fresh components and prepare to impress everyone at your next meal.

What Makes La Scala Chopped Salad So Famous

• Whip Up Quick Dressing: The homemade vinaigrette comes together in minutes, blending tangy and zesty flavors that elevate the entire salad experience.
• Customize with Ease: This versatile recipe allows home cooks to swap ingredients or adjust quantities, making it perfect for personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Restaurant-Inspired Elegance: Recreate the famous La Scala signature chopped salad right in your kitchen, bringing gourmet restaurant quality to your dining table without complex techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potential: The simple yet sophisticated dressing and mix of ingredients make this salad a hit for family dinners, potlucks, and casual gatherings, appealing to various palates.

La Scala Salad Ingredients

• Red Wine Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and helps balance the salad flavors.
• Olive Oil: Creates smooth, rich base for the vinaigrette with a classic Mediterranean touch.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides sharp, zesty flavor and helps emulsify the dressing.
• Lemon Juice: Brings fresh citrus notes and helps cut through rich ingredients.
• Garlic: Offers robust, aromatic punch to the overall dressing.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing and seasoning the entire dish.

• Radicchio: Adds bitter, crisp texture with beautiful deep purple color.
• Romaine Lettuce: Provides fresh, crunchy green foundation for the salad.
• Salami: Brings rich, meaty protein with classic Italian deli flavor.
• Provolone Cheese: Offers creamy, sharp taste with smooth texture.
• Chickpeas: Adds protein and hearty element to the salad.

• Red Onion: Contributes sharp, crisp bite with vibrant color.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides bright, fresh herb garnish with clean flavor.
• Dried Oregano: Introduces classic Italian herb note to the salad.

La Scala Chopped Salad Assembly Guide

Step 1: Whip Up The Zesty Dressing

• Red wine vinegar
• Olive oil
• Dijon mustard
• Lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper

Vigorously whisk everything together until the mixture looks smooth and well-blended.

The goal is to create a perfectly emulsified dressing that will coat your salad beautifully.

Step 2: Prepare The Salad Greens

Thoroughly wash and dry your lettuce, ensuring no moisture remains.

Chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces that will make each forkful easy and delightful to eat.

Step 3: Chop The Supporting Cast

• Radicchio
• Salami
• Provolone cheese
• Chickpeas
• Red onion

Step 4: Assemble The Salad

Combine all chopped ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Drizzle the whisked dressing over the top and gently toss everything together, ensuring each ingredient gets a lovely coating of the tangy vinaigrette.

Step 5: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle fresh parsley or basil on top for a final burst of color and flavor.

Serve immediately and enjoy the restaurant-quality salad you’ve just created.

Salad Tips for La Scala Chopped Perfection

• Whisk dressing ingredients vigorously to create a smooth, well-blended vinaigrette that coats each ingredient evenly.
• Swap or add different crunchy elements like toasted pine nuts, crispy pancetta, or roasted chickpeas for extra texture and flavor.
• Use high-quality imported provolone and fresh mozzarella for authentic Italian taste and creamy texture.
• Chop vegetables and store separately from dressing to maintain crisp salad components and prevent wilting before serving.
• Make this salad gluten-free by omitting croutons or using gluten-free bread, and swap meats for plant-based protein options like marinated tofu.

Tips to Keep La Scala Salad Fresh

• Store leftover salad without dressing in an airtight container for up to 2 days to maintain crispness and prevent wilting.
• Keep vinaigrette separately in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, allowing you to dress the salad just before serving.
• Keep salad ingredients like chopped salami, cheese, and vegetables in individual containers to preserve texture and prevent sogginess.
• When ready to enjoy leftovers, let salad ingredients come to room temperature for 10-15 minutes and toss with fresh vinaigrette for the best flavor experience.

Good Matches for Cranberry Brie Crostini

• Amplify Salad Flavor with Italian Red Wine: Chianti or Sangiovese perfectly complement the tangy vinaigrette and bring out the robust salad ingredients.
• Elevate Dining Experience with Crisp White Wine: Pinot Grigio offers a light, refreshing counterpoint to the salad's bold flavors and cuts through the richness.
• Pair with Sparkling Water: Mineral-rich sparkling water with a slice of lemon cleanses the palate and enhances the salad's bright, zesty dressing.
• Match with Crusty Artisan Bread: Warm, rustic Italian bread provides a delightful textural contrast and helps soak up the delicious vinaigrette.

Chopped Salad With Mix-In Ideas

• Vegan Victory: Replace salami and provolone with marinated tofu cubes and dairy-free cheese, keeping the zesty dressing intact for a plant-based protein punch.
• Gluten-Free Garden: Swap traditional croutons with roasted chickpea crisps or toasted almond slivers to maintain crunch without wheat-based ingredients.
• Low-Carb Champion: Eliminate pasta and croutons, double the fresh greens, and add grilled chicken or shrimp for a lighter, protein-rich version that skips unnecessary carbohydrates.
• Mediterranean Makeover: Introduce kalamata olives, swap salami for grilled artichoke hearts, and sprinkle feta cheese to transform the classic salad into a Greek-inspired creation.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in La Scala Chopped Salad?

The salad features a mix of chopped lettuce, salami, provolone cheese, chickpeas, and green onions, creating a delightful blend of flavors and textures.

• Is this salad considered healthy?

Yes, it offers a balanced combination of protein from salami and chickpeas, healthy fats from olive oil, and fresh vegetables, making it a nutritious meal option.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

You can prepare the ingredients separately and keep them refrigerated. Mix the components just before serving to maintain the salad’s crisp texture and prevent sogginess.

• What makes the dressing special in this salad?

The dressing is a simple yet flavorful vinaigrette made with red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and garlic, which adds a tangy and zesty kick to the salad.

Famous La Scala Chopped Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Crisp California ingredients dance together in this legendary La Scala Chopped Salad, perfecting restaurant-quality flavors at home. Perfectly balanced textures and zesty dressing make this iconic salad an irresistible centerpiece you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Greens:

• 2 heads romaine lettuce, finely chopped

Proteins and Cheese:

• 1/2 cup Genoa salami, finely diced
• 1 cup garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, diced or shredded
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced (optional)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant vinaigrette by vigorously blending red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until a smooth, integrated dressing forms.
2. Prepare the crisp lettuce foundation by finely chopping radicchio and romaine into uniform, bite-sized pieces, ensuring a balanced textural landscape.
3. Dice salami and provolone cheese into precise, small cubes that will distribute evenly throughout the salad’s terrain.
4. Slice red onions into delicate, translucent rings that will provide a sharp, aromatic counterpoint to the other ingredients.
5. Chop chickpeas into smaller segments to integrate seamlessly with the salad’s composition.
6. Combine all prepared ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, gently tossing to create a harmonious blend of colors and textures.
7. Drizzle the previously crafted vinaigrette over the salad, coating each ingredient with a glossy, flavor-enhancing layer.
8. Toss the mixture thoroughly, ensuring every morsel is kissed by the tangy dressing.
9. Allow the salad to rest momentarily, permitting the flavors to meld and intensify before serving.
10. Plate the salad with a final sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately to preserve its crisp, vibrant character.

Notes

• Customize the vinaigrette by adjusting the acidity level with more or less lemon juice, creating a personalized tangy balance.
• Swap traditional ingredients like salami for plant-based alternatives to make the salad vegetarian-friendly, ensuring diverse dietary needs are met.
• Chop all ingredients uniformly to guarantee a perfect bite with balanced flavors and textures in every forkful.
• Prepare the dressing ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to three days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for a more robust taste profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg