My Classic Italian Insalata Mista is a vibrant mixed salad that brings the crisp freshness of a traditional Italian salad to your table. With a blend of crisp lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and parmigiano reggiano, it’s tossed in a delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette for a tangy dressing that complements any easy meal. Light, refreshing, and packed with a variety of colors, this insalata verde is the perfect side dish for any occasion. Buon appetito!
Insalata Mista, meaning "mixed salad" in Italian, is a traditional Italian salad made with crisp lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and sometimes belgian endive or ricotta salata.
It's typically tossed in a delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette made with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and black pepper for a tangy dressing.
This easy insalata mista is a staple in Italian cuisine, often served as a side dish alongside grilled meats, pasta, or seafood. Light, refreshing, and packed with a variety of colors, it's a go-to for a simple yet elegant meal.
Looking for more? Try my Chopped Antipasto Salad, Prosciutto & Melon Salad, Orange & Fennel Salad, St Louis Salad, Panzanella Salad, and Table Side Caesar Salad.
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🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Light and Refreshing – This easy insalata mista is packed with crisp lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy dressing, making it a fresh and vibrant side dish for any meal.
- Simple Yet Elegant – With minimal ingredients like parmigiano reggiano and extra virgin olive oil, this traditional Italian salad delivers bold flavors without the fuss.
- Versatile and Customizable – Whether paired with grilled meats, pasta, or seafood, this insalata verde adapts effortlessly to any meal, making it a favorite salad recipe for any occasion.
🥘 Ingredients
- Cherry Tomatoes – These juicy, sweet tomatoes add a burst of fresh flavor and a pop of color to this classic Italian insalata mista. Halving them allows their juices to blend beautifully with the tangy dressing.
- Crisp Lettuce – A mix of romaine lettuce, arugula, and radicchio provides the perfect base for this mixed salad, delivering a refreshing crunch in every bite.
- Red Onion – Thinly sliced for a mild bite, red onion adds a subtle sharpness that complements the sweetness of the cherry tomatoes and the richness of parmigiano reggiano.
- Cucumber – Thinly sliced for a cool, refreshing crunch, cucumber balances the bold flavors of the balsamic vinaigrette and adds extra hydration to this mixed salad.
- Carrots – Shaved into delicate ribbons or sliced thin, carrots bring a subtle sweetness and a variety of colors that make this insalata verde even more vibrant.
- Parmigiano Reggiano – Shaved into delicate ribbons, this bold and nutty cheese brings a little extra oomph to the salad, adding a savory depth to each forkful.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – The foundation of a delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette, this high-quality oil enhances the salad’s flavors while adding a silky texture.
- Balsamic Vinegar – Provides a deep, slightly sweet tangy dressing that balances the richness of the olive oil and parmigiano reggiano, bringing everything together with a perfect zing.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Step by Step Instructions
Prepare the salad base – Place the crisp lettuce mix in a large bowl, ensuring an even blend of romaine lettuce, arugula, and radicchio for the perfect foundation.
Add the toppings – Scatter the cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, and shaved carrots over the greens, followed by delicate ribbons of parmigiano reggiano for a little extra oomph.
Make the dressing – In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and black pepper until emulsified, creating a delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette.
Dress the salad – Drizzle the tangy dressing over the salad and gently toss until every ingredient is evenly coated. Serve immediately and enjoy this fresh and vibrant insalata verde!
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Tips
- For the best flavor, let the red onion soak in ice water for 10 minutes before adding it to the salad—this removes any harsh bite while keeping its crisp texture.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Cheese Swap – Replace parmigiano reggiano with ricotta salata for a milder, creamier texture.
- Greens Variation – Try adding belgian endive or extra romaine lettuce for more crunch in this mixed salad.
- Citrus Twist – A splash of lemon juice in the delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette adds extra brightness to the dressing.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
- With Grilled Chicken or Seafood – This traditional Italian salad pairs perfectly with grilled fish or chicken for a light, balanced meal.
- Alongside Pasta – Serve it with a classic pasta dish to add a refreshing contrast to rich, hearty flavors.
- As a Simple Appetizer – Enjoy it as a side dish before a main course for a fresh and vibrant start to any meal.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes! Prep the crisp lettuce and toppings in advance, but wait to add the delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette until just before serving to keep everything fresh and crunchy.
🥣 Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover insalata mista in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. Keep the dressing separate to maintain the crisp lettuce and fresh texture.
🌿 Related Recipes
🥗 Pairing Recommendations
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating & comment below to let me know how it came out. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe
Insalata Mista
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Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Vegetable peeler
- Mason jar
- Whisk
Ingredients
Salad
- 4 cups fresh mixed greens
- 1-2 carrots peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber thinly sliced
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup Parmigiano Reggiano shaved with a vegetable peeler
Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette
- ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic minced
Instructions
- Prepare the salad base: Place the fresh mixed greens in a large mixing bowl.
- Add toppings: Arrange the sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano on top.
- Make the vinaigrette: Add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, honey (if using), and minced garlic to a mason jar. Close the lid and shake vigorously until well combined, or whisk together in a bowl. Adjust sweetness and salt to taste.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss until evenly coated.
- Serve & enjoy: Serve immediately as a fresh appetizer or side dish with grilled chicken, seafood, pasta, or soup.
🌡️ Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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