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This easy Italian green salad recipe is one of my favorite Italian side salad recipes! Fresh, crisp lettuce with artichoke hearts, parmesan cheese, and onion. Topped with a red wine vinaigrette.

My mother-in-law, Julie, is famous for making this simple side salad! It’s a close replica of the Italian side salad from a local restaurant in our hometown, called Madison’s Café. Madison’s is famous for this Italian salad recipe! You just have to order it when you eat there.

an overhead photo of an Italian green salad

What makes this easy recipe the BEST easy Italian green salad? Plenty of fresh produce and a homemade Italian vinaigrette! This side salad recipe has a base of crunchy veggies, and the toppings are perfect.

For this side salad, I use romaine hearts, iceberg lettuce and fresh onions. Then, I add Parmesan cheese, artichokes and a homemade, delicious dressing made with red wine vinegar. It’s so good!

A photo of salad ingredients in a clear bowl

This hearty salad makes a wonderful side dish for almost any main course, especially pasta! Serve with your favorite Italian dish like Casarecce Pasta, or with grilled pork chops or steaks for a light dinner.

“This was excellent. Husband really liked the dressing and the addition of the artichokes.“

– Mary

an overhead photo of red wine vinaigrette in a bowl

Recipe Additions:

As with any recipe you find here on Blackberry Babe, use it as a base recipe, and add whatever sounds good to you!

Here are a few suggestions:

  • diced red bell peppers or green bell pepper
  • black olives or kalamata olives
  • cherry tomatoes
  • sun-dried tomatoes
  • pepperoncini peppers or banana peppers
  • sliced English cucumber
  • crunchy croutons
  • add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the homemade dressing for extra flavor
  • add whole garlic cloves to the dressing

“One of my favorite salads, I literally crave it all the time- good thing it’s super easy to make!! Great work Michelle!”

Emily B.

a photo of italian green salad on black plate topped with red onions

Recipe Substitutions:

And, it’s always best to use the ingredients you have on hand! Here are a few substitution suggestions for your Italian side salad:

  • mozzarella cheese or provolone cheese for the Parmesan cheese
  • grape tomatoes or your favorite veggie for the artichoke hearts
  • butter lettuce or the lettuce of your choice for the iceberg and/or romaine lettuce

But, if you do substitute the lettuce, you may want to skip “resting” the salad in the refrigerator. Romaine is sturdy and does not wilt as easily as other lettuce varieties.

and overhead photo of salad on a black plate

Serving Suggestions:

I love to serve this salad with garlic bread and my favorite Italian meal. If you need suggestions, try my Easy Pepperoni Pizza Casserole Recipe, Chicken Pasta with Rosa Sauce, Crab Carbonara Pasta, Pasta alla Norma or my awesome Easy Red Wine Pasta Sauce over pasta of your choice!

Storing Leftovers:

Keep leftovers separated (salad and dressing). Store leftover lettuce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

The dressing will keep on your counter at room temperature in a sealed container for up to one week.

an overhead photo of italian salad

Julie's Famous Italian House Salad

This easy Italian house salad is one of my favorite Italian side dishes. Fresh, crisp lettuce is paired with artichoke hearts, parmesan cheese, onion and a red wine vinaigrette. .
4.80 from 25 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Calories: 255kcal
Author: Michelle Goth

Ingredients

For the salad ingredients:

  • ½ head iceberg lettuce washed and chopped into bite size pieces
  • ½ head romaine lettuce washed and chopped into bite size pieces
  • 7 ounces marinated artichoke hearts drained
  • ½ cup red onion sliced
  • ⅔ cup Parmesan cheese grated

For the homemade Italian dressing:

  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, toss iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, artichoke hearts, red onion and Parmesan cheese.
  • In a small bowl or mason jar, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper. Whisk well or shake to combine.
  • Top salad with dressing and let stand for 15 minutes in refrigerator before serving.

Notes

I like a more acidic dressing, so I typically add a bit more vinegar, or a big squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the Italian salad dressing.
Wonderful served with crusty bread.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 255kcal | Protein: 4.7g | Fat: 23.8g
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Love this recipe? I think you’d also love my Easy Chicken Milanese, or this Crab Linguine Carbonara pasta. 

Easy Italian House Salad- Four ingredient dressing and crisp romaine and iceberg lettuce pair perfectly with parmesan cheese, artichoke hearts, and red onion. This is a knockoff of Madison's Cafe salad!
Italian House Salad | Italian Side Dishes | Salad with Artichokes
Italian House Salad | Italian Side Dishes | Salad with Artichokes
Italian House Salad | Italian Side Dishes | Salad with Artichokes
Italian House Salad | Italian Side Dishes | Salad with Artichokes