Antipasto Salad Recipe (2024)

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Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

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A perfect side dish for pizza night, this Antipasto Salad is filled with all of your favorite antipasto flavors with an easy Italian salad dressing.

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If you love antipasto, make sure you also check out my Antipasto Pizza!

Antipasto Salad Recipe (1)

I used to always think that summers were busy. But now that my kids are getting a little older, I am finding that it’s busy year round. No matter the season, there seems to always be something on the calendar. So sometimes dinner time gets tricky.

As much as I love trying new recipes, I often end up in our usual favorites, simply to save time and effort. So pizza is on the menu quite often. (Also because it’s one thing my whole family loves!) And while I’m just fine with eating pizza for dinner, sometimes I need a little something more.

Enter this salad. This Antipasto Salad is filled with all kinds of goodies – it is seriously jam packed with flavor! Roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, pepperoni, salami, Provolone… just to name a few. And then a simple Italian inspired dressing comes together in seconds to bring it all together. This is seriously one of the easiest salads ever – perfect for pizza night, or any other night!

Antipasto Salad Recipe (2)

So, What is Anitpasto?

I’m sure you’ve heard of antipasto, but have you ever wondered what it actually is?

Antipasto is an easy Italian appetizer, usually consisting of cheeses, meats and olives. There can be a wide variety of things, but you’ll most likely find Italian meats – like salami or prosciutto, as well as Italian cheeses, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano or Mozzarella. There really is no right or wrong answer, and you will find different versions everywhere.

For this salad, I decided to go with some of my favorites, and things that are easy for me to get. Like pepperoni and salami, provolone, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers and marinated artichoke hearts. I also threw in some red onion, parsley, cherry tomatoes and pepperoncini peppers for some extra flavor. Keep in mind that you can always add in your favorites. This recipe is really easy to play around with!

Antipasto Salad Recipe (3)

Easy Homemade Italian Dressing

Every time I make homemade salad dressing, I question why I ever buy it store bought. It really is super simple! Here is what you’ll need for this homemade Italian Salad Dressing:

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Garlic
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Pepper

To make the dressing, all you need to do is combine all of the ingredients in a blender jar and process until everything is combined. Or if you don’t want to use a blender, you can add all of the ingredients to a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake it until it comes together. If I take this salad somewhere, I’ll usually do the second as the dressing may separate if you don’t use it right away. If you have it in the jar, it’s easy to shake it back up.

More Salad Recipes

Caesar Salad with Pasta
Protein Packed Cobb Salad
Southwest Chicken Salad
Chopped Cobb Salad
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Italian Chopped Salad
Thai Chopped Chicken Salad

Antipasto Salad Recipe (4)

Antipasto Salad

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 side dish servings

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

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A perfect side dish for pizza night, this Antipasto Salad is filled with all of your favorite antipasto flavors with an easy Italian salad dressing.

Ingredients

Homemade Italian Dressing:

  • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Salad:

  • 8 cups chopped lettuce I used a mix of read leaf and romaine hearts
  • 1 7 oz jar roasted red peppers, drained and sliced
  • 1 6 oz jar artichoke hearts marinated in oil, chopped
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1/2 cup parsley leaves
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives halved
  • 1/2 cup diced pepperoni
  • 1/2 cup diced salami
  • 1/2 cup diced Provolone
  • 1/2 cup quartered cherry or grape tomatoes
  • pepperonicini peppers

Instructions

  • To make the dressing, combine all the ingredients in a blender and process until completely combined and smooth. Alternately, combine in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake vigorously until combined and smooth.

  • In a large bowl, toss together the lettuce, red peppers, artichoke hearts, red onion, parsley, olives, pepperoni, salami, Provolone and tomatoes. Pour the salad dressing over the top and toss to combine. Serve with the pepperoncini peppers.

Recipe Notes:

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/8 of salad, Calories: 228kcal (11%), Carbohydrates: 7g (2%), Protein: 7g (14%), Fat: 20g (31%), Saturated Fat: 6g (38%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 22mg (7%), Sodium: 1008mg (44%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 3g (3%)

Keywords: antipasto salad

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Meet Deborah

Welcome to Taste and Tell. Here you will find easy, fast and family friendly recipes. I am a believer that anyone can cook and that dinner doesn’t have to be complicated. Come join me in my kitchen! Read More

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Comments

  1. Georgia says

    Going to a pizza potluck. Green salad and fruit salad were already taken. I signed up for “other salads” and think this is the perfect answer. I know my husband is already praying for leftovers to take home.

    Reply

  2. Maricela says

    This recipe was perfect! So easy and tasty! I will definitely be making it again and again!

    Reply

  3. Jackie says

    I made this today…awesome! Delicious recipe. A keeper for us.

    Reply

  4. Erin says

    Rave reviews at tha party I had last night. Thank you for the delicious recipe!

    Reply

  5. TidyMom says

    we just had lunch at CPK the other day! one of our favorites when we are out shopping. This salad looks perfect for summer! I was thinking of recreating the flatbread my daughter had, this would be wonderful along side it.

    Reply

  6. Jenny Flake says

    I WANT this salad ASAP! Gorgeous!

    Reply

  7. Rachel Cooks says

    I LOVE California Pizza Kitchen! And the idea of pairing a store-bought pizza with a homemade salad is such a great idea.

    Reply

  8. Sandy @ RE says

    This is one of my favorite salads, Deb. Love it with pizza!

    Reply

  9. Liz says

    Thank you for the nice recipe.

    Reply

Antipasto Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does antipasto consist of? ›

Our antipasto platter is an abundant spread of Italian cured meats, cheeses, marinated vegetables, nuts, fruits, and more. It's the ultimate way to start a meal—or a party. It's also easy on the cook because most of the ingredients are store bought and there's no cooking necessary.

What is the difference between antipasto and antipasti? ›

Antipasto is the singular term (an antipasto), while antipasti refers to the collective or plural (a platter with different kinds of antipasti). If you're referring to a single appetizer, like a piece of cheese or bread, call it an antipasto.

Does antipasto salad contain pasta? ›

This antipasto pasta salad is a delicious combination of pasta, meat, and cheese with a homemade dressing. It serves a crowd and is great for a picnic.

What are the ingredients in something special antipasto? ›

TOMATOES,CAULIFLOWER, CARROTS, SWEET PICKLED ONIONS,GREEN BEANS, dill pickles, black olives, green olives, mushrooms, green peppers, red peppers, tuna, distilled vinegar, canola oil, sugar, salt, olive oil, garlic, natural flavourings, tartrazine. contains mustard and sulphites.

What is the antipasti stuff? ›

From briny olives and marinated artichokes to creamy mozzarella, nutty Pecorino, salty Italian cured meats, toasted almonds, smoky roasted peppers, fresh fruits and veggies, and sweet honey for drizzling, there are so delicious combinations waiting to be discovered.

Why is it called antipasto salad in America? ›

The literal translation is 'before the meal' – not 'before the pasta' as you might assume! Coming from the latin 'ante'– for before, and 'pastus' – for food; it's the Italian version of hors d'oeurves.

Is antipasto good for you? ›

The short answer is that it depends on the makeup of it. If you choose to have antipasto that relies heavily on cheese, for example, it probably isn't going to be the healthiest! Antipasto dishes like the caprese and those that use a good amount of vegetables can also be healthy.

What goes well with antipasto? ›

Italians love bread and a crusty ciabatta or fresh baguette is the perfect antipasto accompaniment. You can smother it in cheese, drizzle it in olive oil or dip it in pesto to fill up the platter and make it more substantial.

What comes before antipasto? ›

Primi. Primi is the first course to contain hot food and is often heavier than antipasti dishes. Generally, primi dishes do not consist of any meat.

What is a true antipasto? ›

Antipasto plates are simply colorful offerings of marinated vegetables—think artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers or pickled garlic—salty olives, rustic artisan breads, natural deli meats, small bites of seafood delicacies and rich cheeses. With antipasto, it's always best to keep things simple.

What are the five mistakes to avoid pasta salad? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Pasta Salad
  • Using the wrong pasta. The wrong pasta type or size can make pasta salad soggy, slimy, or just plain hard to eat. ...
  • Salting only once, at the end. ...
  • Too many raw ingredients! ...
  • Overdressing or underdressing the salad. ...
  • Not seasoning again just before serving.

Why do Italians eat salad after pasta? ›

Serving salad after the main course of a meal is an older tradition in Italy, and nowadays it is usually observed at large and formal dinners rather than during everyday meals. Eating a salad after a meal can help digestion, while eating one before a meal may help discourage overeating.

Is antipasto healthy? ›

The short answer is that it depends on the makeup of it. If you choose to have antipasto that relies heavily on cheese, for example, it probably isn't going to be the healthiest! Antipasto dishes like the caprese and those that use a good amount of vegetables can also be healthy.

Why is it called antipasto salad? ›

Literally, the word “antipasto” is derived from the Latin root “anti” meaning “before” and “pastus,” which means “meal.” Thus, the antipasto course simply refers to the dish that precedes all others.

What is in Giovanni's antipasto salad? ›

ANTIPASTO SALAD

Giovanni's signature salad with plenty of fresh crisp lettuce topped with pepperoni, diced ham, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, banana peppers, green olives, cheese, then topped with tomatoes & real bacon bits.

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