Italian Caesar Salad With an Antipasto Twist
This flavorful twist on a classic Caesar salad has quickly become a family favorite and a party hit! It’s packed with crisp romaine, savory deli meats, tangy banana peppers, & a creamy Caesar dressing.
I’ve been making so many salads lately. It’s that time of year! Pasta salads for beach days, fresh salads for dinner with friends, and now this Caesar salad that stole the show at my son’s third birthday party. It was one of the easiest salads I’ve ever thrown together, but it’s become my obsession, and now my family’s too. People request it constantly, and I’m so excited to show you just how simple (and delicious) it is to make. Let this be your salad of the summer!
I love that there’s no cooking involved. It comes together in just minutes, making it the perfect last-minute recipe to bring to any spontaneous BBQ this summer!
Caesar Salad Preparation:
You can make this salad with all kinds of bases. I love a classic Caesar with freshly chopped romaine, but sometimes I like to mix in some kale for extra texture and staying power. If you’re making it ahead of time, adding kale. Using only kale can help prevent it from getting soggy, and it’ll last days in the refrigerator. And if you do need to prep in advance, just bring the dressing separately and toss everything together right before serving for the freshest flavor!
Ingredients
- Romaine hearts, finely chopped
- Caesar dressing (Panera brand is my favorite)
- Good Seasons Italian dressing mix
- Sweet & spicy banana peppers, sliced (they make the salad SO GOOD!)
- Cucumber, peeled and diced
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Salami, sliced
- Pepperoni, sliced
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Caesar-style croutons
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST CAESAR SALAD RECIPE:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine hearts, Caesar dressing, and Italian seasoning packet. Toss until evenly coated.
- Add banana peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, salami, and pepperoni. Gently toss again to distribute evenly.
- Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan and croutons just before serving for maximum crunch.
Italian Caesar Salad
Ingredients
- 6 Large romaine hearts, finely chopped
- 1/2 Cup Caesar dressing your favorite brand
- 1 Packet Good Seasons Italian dressing mix
- 1/4 Cup sweet & spicy banana peppers, sliced
- 1 Large cucumber, peeled and diced
- 2 Cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 Cup salami, Sliced
- 1 Cup pepperoni, Sliced
- 1/2 Cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Cup Caesar-style croutons
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine hearts, Caesar dressing, and Italian seasoning packet. Toss until evenly coated.
- Add banana peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, salami, and pepperoni. Gently toss again to distribute evenly.
- Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan and croutons just before serving for maximum crunch.
- Serve!
This was the perfect side dish to go with the pizza we had delivered for my son’s birthday party! I’m sorry, but pizza always tastes better with a salad on the side. Even my school cafeteria growing up offered shredded lettuce and ranch on pizza days. It’s just a thing! Every last bite of this salad was devoured. My dad LOVED it, and so did my neighbor, who even texted me afterward asking for the recipe. I know exactly what dish to make him on Father’s Day this year.
I’m so excited for Saturday. It’s finally time for my very first farmers market visit of the year! I always go to the one in Charlotte, and it’s absolutely AMAZING. I’ve been counting down the days for those juicy heirloom tomatoes topped with Arctic seasoning, burrata cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. It’s a combo I crave all year long! I hope you’re ready for all the fresh produce hauls and salad recipes to come!
