Authentic La Scala Chopped Salad (Restaurant Copycat)
If you've seen the viral La Scala chopped salad all over social media, this is the exact copycat recipe you've been looking for. Crisp lettuce, Italian salami, creamy mozzarella, chickpeas, and a bold red wine vinaigrette, all chopped finely so every bite is perfectly balanced.
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 705kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 heart Romaine lettuce
- ½ head Iceberg lettuce
- 1 15 oz can Chickpeas drained, rinsed and dried
- 10 slices Italian Salami standard thickness
- 8 oz Mozzarella cheese low-moisture
For the Dressing
- ½ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup Red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon Red chilli flakes
- 1 teaspoon Sea salt
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the dressing ingredients to a large bowl. Whisk until emulsified.½ cup Extra virgin olive oil, ½ cup Red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon Red chilli flakes, 1 teaspoon Sea salt, Black pepper
- Pour half of the dressing over drained chickpeas in a bowl, and set aside.1 15 oz can Chickpeas
- Finely chop the lettuce, salami, and mozzarella cheese. Transfer to a serving platter, and toss with half of the dressing.1 heart Romaine lettuce, ½ head Iceberg lettuce, 10 slices Italian Salami, 8 oz Mozzarella cheese
- Spoon the marinated chickpeas over the salad. Optionally, serve with grated parmesan on top.
Notes
Texture is everything: The signature of the La Scala salad is its confetti-like texture. If the pieces are too large, it won't taste like the real thing.
Dry the lettuce: After washing the lettuce, spin or pat it completely dry. Excess water will dilute the vinaigrette and prevent it from clinging properly.
Let the salad sit: After tossing with dressing, let the salad rest for 10-15 minutes. This allows the dressing to absorb into the ingredients and for the flavors to meld.
How to Get the Signature Finely Chopped Texture
- Stack lettuce leaves tightly before slicing.
- Use a sharp chef's knife.
- Chop once, rotate, then chop again.
- Aim for small, uniform pieces (about ¼-inch).
Nutrition
Calories: 705kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 28g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 1506mg | Potassium: 580mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 822IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 370mg | Iron: 5mg
