Italian Sub Salad, Two Ways Recipe

Discover the bold and vibrant flavors of the Italian Sub Salad, Two Ways, a delightful twist on a classic favorite that’s packed with fresh veggies, savory meats, and rich cheeses. This recipe brings the beloved components of an Italian sub right into a refreshing salad bowl, making it perfect for a light lunch or a hearty dinner. Whether you prefer it light and leafy or tossed with tender tri-colored tortellini, this salad offers versatility and irresistible taste, guaranteed to win over carb lovers and low-carb fans alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe shines because of its simple yet essential ingredients that each play a crucial role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color. From crisp romaine to tangy red wine vinegar, every element ensures your Italian Sub Salad, Two Ways, is as exciting to eat as it is to make.

• 2 Hearts of Romaine, Shredded: Provides a crisp, fresh crunch and a vibrant green base that’s perfect for the salad’s foundation.
• 1/2 lb Salami, Sliced and Cut into Squares: Adds a wonderfully savory, slightly spicy meatiness that’s key to the classic Italian sub taste.
• 1/2 lb Provolone, Sliced and Cut into Squares: Offers a mellow, creamy cheese flavor that melts beautifully with the salad’s dressing.
• 8 oz Package of Marinated Mini Fresh Mozzarella Balls: Brings a delicate, juicy softness and a touch of richness that contrasts the crunchy veggies.
• 1 Cucumber, Sliced Thin: Contributes a cool, refreshing bite and brightens the salad’s palette.
• 1 Red Pepper, Sliced into Strips: Adds sweetness and a pop of radiant color.
• 1 C Mild Pepper Rings: Delivers subtle heat and piquant flavor without overpowering the salad.
• 1 White Onion, Sliced into Strips: Adds a sharp, tangy edge that complements the meats and cheeses perfectly.
• 1 T Black Pepper: Sprinkled throughout for a touch of ground spice that enhances all the flavors.
• 1 T Dried Basil: Infuses herby Mediterranean aroma and taste.
• 1 C Parmesan, Cubed: Provides a nutty, salty bite that deepens the overall flavor profile.
• 1/2 lb Pepperoni, Diced: Brings bold spiciness in small bursts, a signature ingredient for Italian sub lovers.
• 1 C Red Wine Vinegar: Forms the tangy acid base of the dressing, waking up the entire dish.
• 1/2 C Olive Oil: Adds luscious richness and smoothness to the dressing.
• 1 T Garlic Powder: Gives a warm, aromatic garlic punch.
• 1 T Brown Sugar (or natural sweetener): Balances acidity with a subtle hint of sweetness.
• 2 t Kosher Salt: Enhances and rounds out all the flavors in every bite.

How to Make Italian Sub Salad, Two Ways

Step 1: Assemble the Base Salad

Start by shredding your romaine lettuce and placing it in a large salad bowl. This crisp, leafy bed will soak up the flavors of the other ingredients while keeping everything light and fresh. Next, artfully layer the sliced red pepper strips, mild pepper rings, diced pepperoni, salami squares, provolone cubes, mozzarella balls, cucumber slices, and white onion strips on top. This layering creates a colorful, textured landscape that’s as beautiful to look at as it is to eat.

Step 2: Season and Chill

Sprinkle the salad lightly with black pepper, dried basil, and kosher salt for natural seasoning. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 4 hours or, better yet, overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the crunchy veggies to soften slightly without losing their snap, making every bite a well-rounded experience.

Step 3: Prepare the Dressing

While the salad chills, whisk together the dressing ingredients: red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, dried basil, brown sugar, and kosher salt. Refrigerate the dressing alongside the salad. Letting it sit overnight not only chills the dressing but also allows the flavors to marry, resulting in a perfectly balanced tangy and sweet vinaigrette that complements the meats and cheeses wonderfully.

Step 4: Choose Your Way to Serve

Here’s the signature twist of the Italian Sub Salad, Two Ways: you can serve the salad as is, tossing it with the dressing just before eating for a low-carb, crisp delight. Alternatively, for your carb-loving crowd, cook and cool a bag of tri-colored tortellini and stir it into half of the salad just before serving. This adds tender pasta, making the salad heartier and transforming it into a complete meal. Splitting the batch this way keeps everyone happy and showcases the salad’s versatility.

How to Serve Italian Sub Salad, Two Ways

Garnishes

To elevate the presentation and add subtle pops of flavor, sprinkle extra Parmesan shavings or a handful of fresh basil leaves right before serving. A few cracked black peppercorns on top fresh from the grinder add an aromatic burst. You can also drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil for a silky finish that feels decadent without overpowering the salad.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs excellently with crusty Italian bread or garlic breadsticks to sweep up every last bit of dressing. A light minestrone soup or a cup of tomato basil soup complements the salad’s Mediterranean flair without making the meal too heavy. For lighter sides, consider a simple lemon-herb grilled chicken or roasted vegetables to round out your meal beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to impress guests? Serve the Italian Sub Salad, Two Ways in individual mason jars layered with the dressing at the bottom and salad on top for a grab-and-go lunch. Alternatively, make a vibrant antipasto platter by arranging all the salad ingredients separately on a large board alongside olives, artichoke hearts, and slices of crusty bread — then let everyone build their own Italian sub salad bowls.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once assembled and tossed with dressing, store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days for best freshness. Keep dressing and salad separate if you haven’t tossed it yet, as this will prevent sogginess and keep the ingredients crisp and vibrant longer.

Freezing

Because of the fresh vegetables and dressing, freezing Italian Sub Salad, Two Ways is not recommended. However, the cooked tortellini part can be frozen separately if made in bulk. Simply thaw and add fresh vegetables when ready to serve to maintain crispness and flavor.

Reheating

This salad is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so reheating is unnecessary and not advised. If you’ve added tortellini, you may warm just the portion with pasta gently on the stove or in the microwave before mixing back into the fresh salad elements.

FAQs

Can I use other types of cheese besides provolone and mozzarella?

Absolutely! Feel free to substitute or mix in cheeses like fontina, asiago, or even a sharp cheddar to personalize your Italian Sub Salad, Two Ways. Each cheese will offer a different depth of flavor.

What kind of vinegar works best in the dressing?

Red wine vinegar is preferred for its bright acidity and authentic Italian flavor, but you can experiment with white wine vinegar or even balsamic vinegar for a sweeter note, depending on your taste.

Is it possible to make this salad vegetarian?

Definitely! Skip the salami and pepperoni and add hearty grilled vegetables or beans like chickpeas to keep it filling. You could also double up on the cheeses and add more marinated mozzarella balls for protein.

How long can I prepare this salad in advance?

The salad and dressing can be prepped and refrigerated separately a day ahead for maximum flavor. Assemble the salad ingredients and chill for 4 hours to overnight before dressing and serving.

Can I add pasta to the low-carb version?

Since the low-carb version is focused on the crunchy lettuce base, adding pasta is usually reserved for the carb-loving variation of the Italian Sub Salad, Two Ways. However, small amounts of spiralized vegetables like zucchini noodles can be a fun, low-carb pasta alternative.

Final Thoughts

Italian Sub Salad, Two Ways is one of those recipes that feels like sharing a slice of Italy with your closest friends. Its bold ingredients and bright dressing come together in a way that’s comforting but fresh, simple yet impressive. Whether you prefer it as a crisp salad or with a hearty pasta twist, it’s a perfect choice for gatherings, weeknight dinners, or meal prep. Give it a try and watch how quickly it becomes a beloved staple in your recipe collection.

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