Olive Garden Salad Recipe: Crisp Italian Classic
A crisp, tangy Olive Garden-inspired salad with fresh veggies, Italian dressing, and croutons, ideal for dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 head romaine lettuce chopped (or 6 cups mixed greens)
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup black olives pitted and sliced
- 4-6 pepperoncini peppers whole or sliced
- 1 cup croutons garlic or Italian-seasoned
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Dressing:
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar optional
- Optional: 1 tbsp grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Chop romaine, slice onion, tomatoes, and olives; place in a salad bowl with pepperoncini.
- Whisk or shake dressing ingredients until smooth.
- Toss salad with half the dressing; add more as needed.
- Top with croutons and Parmesan.
- Serve immediately with extra dressing and Parmesan on the side.
Notes
- Chill ingredients for crispness.
- Store dressing separately to keep fresh.
- Toss just before serving to maintain crunch.
- Serve with pasta or breadsticks.