Simple Italian Salad

Name: Simple Italian Salad
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 3 slices Italian bread, cubed; Butter-flavored cooking spray; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 2 bunches romaine, torn; 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved; 1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 small red onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings; 8 pepperoncini; 1/2 cup fat-free Italian salad dressing

Total Time Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Yield 6 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

Homemade croutons star in this easy Italian salad recipe, filled with grape tomatoes, olives and pepperoncinis. I like to serve it with fresh Italian or focaccia bread. —Nancy Granaman, Burlington, Iowa

Ingredients

3 slices Italian bread, cubed
Butter-flavored cooking spray
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 bunches romaine, torn
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 small red onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
8 pepperoncini
1/2 cup fat-free Italian salad dressing

Directions

Preheat oven to 450°. For croutons, spritz bread cubes with butter-flavored spray; place in a bowl. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder; toss to coat evenly.
Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until golden brown, 8-10 minutes, stirring once or twice. Cool.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine romaine, tomatoes, olives, Parmesan cheese, onion and pepperoncini. Drizzle with salad dressing; toss to coat. Top with croutons.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/2 cups: 120 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 943mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 6g protein.

Recipe Creator