Ingredients

8 cups chopped lettuce

¼ cup red cabbage, shredded

¼ cup carrots, julienne

¼ cup red onion

½ cup black olives

2 roma tomatoes, sliced

⅓ cup pepperoncinis

1 cup croutons

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

¾ cup extra virgin olive oil (smooth preferred)

1 (0.7 oz) packet Zesty Italian Dressing Mix

⅓ cup white vinegar

¼ cup water

1 tablespoon grated Romano cheese (or Parmesan)

3 teaspoons sugar

1½ teaspoons mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip)

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Step 1: Combine the dressing ingredients—olive oil, Italian dressing mix, white vinegar, water, Romano cheese, sugar, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder—in a mini food processor or a jar with a lid. Blend or shake well until emulsified. Cover and refrigerate to chill and meld flavors.

Step 2: Prepare the salad ingredients by chopping the lettuce, shredding the red cabbage, julienning the carrots, slicing the red onion and roma tomatoes, and draining the black olives and pepperoncinis. Use a paper towel to pat the sliced tomatoes dry to prevent excess moisture.

Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, cabbage, carrots, red onion, black olives, tomatoes, and pepperoncinis. Set aside the dressing, croutons, and Parmesan cheese for topping.

Step 4: Drizzle the salad with your desired amount of the prepared dressing and gently toss to coat evenly. You likely won’t use all the dressing at once—reserve the rest for later salads.

Step 5: Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with croutons and grated Parmesan cheese for added crunch and flavor. Serve immediately for the freshest taste.

Storage

Store leftover dressing separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The salad itself is best enjoyed fresh; however, you can store the prepared vegetables (without dressing or croutons) in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Toss with dressing and add croutons just before serving to maintain crispness.

FAQs

Can I make the dressing ahead of time?

Yes, the dressing can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This also helps the flavors meld together for a richer taste.

What can I substitute for the packet of Zesty Italian Dressing Mix?

If you don’t have a dressing mix packet, use a combination of dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme), garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, salt, and a bit of red pepper flakes to mimic the flavor.