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Easy Italian Salad

This Easy Italian Salad is the perfect way to dress up pizza night! Or add this side salad to any meal to amp up your veggie intake.

Easy Italian Salad from What The Fork Food Blog | @WhatTheForkBlog | whattheforkfoodblog.com
I was compensated for the development of this recipe by Freschetta. All opinions are 100% mine. Thank you for supporting the brands that support What The Fork Food Blog!

Italian Salad

Friday night is pizza right? It is in our house. Well, sometimes. Truthfully, I’d probably be happy with pizza night every night. And my kids would be too.

However, since pizza every night of the week might not be the best idea, we’ll limit it to Friday, ok? Sometimes we like to do quick frozen pizza but the gluten free options are a little limited. We recently had the chance to try Freschetta Gluten Free Thin & Crispy Pizza and we were definitely impressed.

Easy Italian Salad from What The Fork Food Blog | @WhatTheForkBlog | whattheforkfoodblog.com

We tried the Gluten Free Thin & Crispy Signature Pepperoni Pizza. The crust was definitely thin, but a good thin because it got so super crispy. There’s a good amount of sauce (we’re picky about sauce – no skimping here!), the cheese melted nicely and there was enough pepperoni for every bite. We were pretty impressed with the quality of this frozen pizza.

I baked my pizza on parchment paper on a pizza pan at 450 degrees for the minimum suggested baking time and it came out perfectly crisp, the cheese was perfectly melted and it was perfectly tasty.

Since we loved this pizza so much, I’ve partnered with Freschetta to bring you a pizza inspired giveaway! One winner will receive free product coupons and some great pizza making gear – apron, pizza cutter and pizza pan (total prize pack valued around $100). Be sure to check out the giveaway form at the end of this post!

Easy Italian Salad from What The Fork Food Blog | @WhatTheForkBlog | whattheforkfoodblog.com

This will definitely be making an appearance at many pizza nights to come and so will this easy salad. And who doesn’t love tossed salad recipes!? It starts with bagged salad greens because I love a good shortcut, don’t you? I used an Italian blend which is romaine lettuce with some red cabbage.

Easy Italian Salad from What The Fork Food Blog | @WhatTheForkBlog | whattheforkfoodblog.com

[Tweet “An easy Italian Salad is the perfect side on Pizza Night – ps pizza night is every night, right?”]

I love the extra bit of purple the cabbage brings to the salad party. It’s also got some pretty familiar salad toppings from a popular “Italian” eatery – cherry tomatos, black olives, red onion and pepperoncini and it’s topped with a homemade Italian dressing. Oh and some freshly grated parmesan cheese. You can’t have an Italian salad without parmesan cheese. It just isn’t happening.

If you love salad, try my Easy Fruit Salad for Two and also Strawberry Kale Salad. You can never have enough salads!

So remember, Friday = Pizza Night. Plus Italian Salad. Enjoy!

Easy Italian Salad from What The Fork Food Blog | @WhatTheForkBlog | whattheforkfoodblog.com
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Easy Italian Salad from What The Fork Food Blog | @WhatTheForkBlog | whattheforkfoodblog.com

Easy Italian Salad with Freschetta Gluten Free Pizza

4.43 from 66 ratings
This Easy Italian Salad is the perfect way to dress up pizza night! Or add this side salad to any meal to amp up your veggie intake.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Print Rate Pin

Ingredients

For the Italian Dressing

  • 1/4 C + 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1/4 C freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice about 1 lemon
  • 1 Tbsp white vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 Tbsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper flakes
  • 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper

For the Salad

  • 2 bags of Italian Blend lettuce romaine with red cabbage
  • 3/4 C cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 C pitted black olives
  • 1/8 red onion cut into thin slices/rings
  • 6 pepperoncini whole
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese for servings optional

Instructions

  • To make the dressing mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, parsley, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper to a blender. While blending, slowly drizzle in the olive oil through the opening in the blender lid. Blend until ingredients are combined and thicken ever so slightly. Transfer dressing to a sealable glass container (like a mason jar) until ready to serve if not serving immediately.
  • To assemble the salad, add the lettuce to a large bowl. Toss with the Italian dressing now if serving immediately. You don't have to dress the salad though, you can just pour over individual servings if desired.
  • Top the lettuce with the cherry tomatoes, black olives, onion slices and pepperoncini. Top with extra freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Do not add the salad dressing until ready to serve.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Food Network.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1g | Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 408mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 145IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Disclaimers

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Facts are estimated and aren't always accurate. Please consult a doctor or nutritionist if you have special dietary needs.

Did you make this?Mention @whattheforkfoodblog or leave a comment rating below!

 

Other salad recipes you might like:

Strawberry Kale Salad from What The Fork Food Blog

Chopped Veggie Salad from The Gluten Free Homemaker

Avocado Caprese Chicken Salad from Joyful Healthy Eats

Summer Breeze Salad with Granola Croutons from Heartbeat Kitchen

Freschetta Giveaway

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Sincerely,
Shay

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Recipe Rating




  1. Cheryl says:

    *Thanks so much* What the Fork Food Blog and Freschetta! I look forward to using the Freschetta Prize Pack 🙂

  2. Harmony B says:

    I like just cheese, the kids love pepperoni

  3. Brittany Koelmel says:

    I love love love veggie pizza! I cant get enough:)

  4. Sandy Headtke says:

    This is the perfect salad for today. 95º and summer is just starting. I love my pizza with just cheese.

  5. Valerie says:

    We love Freschetta Gluten Free pizza!

  6. LJ says:

    I love all pizza! My favorite being simply cheese! 🙂

  7. Starla B says:

    5 stars
    That looks delicious and that salad does, too. My goodness! My favorite type of pizza is definitely either pepperoni or cheese.. I’m pretty simple when it comes to pizza!

  8. Carla S says:

    My favorite kind of pizza is a grandmother’s pizza with extra cheese.

  9. Tracie Cooper says:

    I love ground beef with green peppers on my pizza!

  10. Jenny says:

    I love all pizzas. I now live in the NE which has the best sausage pizza. I have been sad since going gluten free so I am definitely checking out the Freschetta pizzas.

  11. David says:

    My favorite is pepperoni pizza, especially if it is a little overcooked and burnt around the edges.

  12. Angelica M says:

    My favorite pizza is margherita pizza! So good!

  13. Cheryl says:

    My favorite kind of pizza is Chicken Alfredo or Philly Cheese Steak.

  14. Laura J says:

    5 stars
    My favorite pizza is sausage, mushrooms, and olives(either black or green…love them both)!

  15. Heather says:

    I love a homemade ranch pizza with fresh veggies!! Nothing better!!

  16. Love the idea of dressing up a frozen pizza with a homemade salad.
    Now I’ve got to see if my local Fred Meyer’s carries them

  17. LaTanya says:

    I love Italian sausage with light sauce on my pizza

  18. Dana Coughlin says:

    My favorite pizza is Shrimp and Mushroom; we take the cheese gf pizza and dress it up. The salad looks wonderful

  19. 5 stars
    What a beautiful salad Sharon! Love the parmesan and homemade dressing!

  20. This is the EXACT salad that I want to eat with Pizza. Delicious, but not taking away from that beloved pizza taste, but it’s simple and fresh. Loving this! Pinned!