Classic Italian Insalata Mista (Mixed Salad)
This recipe for a Classic Italian Insalata Mista (Mixed Salad) is a traditional Italian salad that features mixed greens, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano. It is so easy to make weeknight and pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, seafood, pasta, or soup. It is tossed in a delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Ready in 10 minutes!
Servings: 4
Calories: 147kcal
Equipment
- 1 Mixing Bowl Toss your fresh mixed greens in here.
- Vegetable Peeler Perfect for those thinly sliced cucumbers.
- Mason Jar Mix and store your balsamic vinaigrette.
- whisk Blend your extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar.
Ingredients
- 4 cups lightly packed fresh mixed greens try a mix of Romaine, arugula, radicchio, arugula, red and green leaf lettuce.
- 1-2 carrots peeled and shaved with vegetable peeler or cut in thin rounds
- 1 English cucumber thinly sliced
- ½ red onion sliced thin (use more or less to your taste)
- 2-3 small to medium tomatoes
- Parmigiano Reggiano shaved with vegetable peeler, or crumbled Ricotta Salata
Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette
- ¾ cup good quality olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar or red wine
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (omit sweetener if you're sugar-free)
- 1 clove minced garlic
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients and place the lettuce mix in a large bowl.
- Add toppings: Add the prepped vegetables and the shaved Parmigiano Reggiano.
- Prep the vinaigrette: Place the ingredients in a mason jar, close the lid and shake. Or place ingredients in bowl and whisk together to combine. Check the flavor and add more sweetener, to your taste, or salt, if needed. If you like it tangy, leave out the sweetener.
- Drizzle on the dressing and gently toss to combine. Enjoy!
Notes
For the salad:
- Substitute mixed greens with Romaine, arugula, romaine, endive, or bibb.
- Substitute Parmigiano Reggiano with feta, goat cheese, or even blue cheese.
- Add in some toasted pine nuts, walnuts, or pecans for some crunch.
- Store vinaigrette in a mason jar or an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
- Use your favorite store-bought vinaigrette or even oil and vinegar.
Nutrition
Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 2404mg | Potassium: 604mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 320IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 2mg