Iconic La Scala Chopped Salad
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This La Scalia Chopped Salad recipe originates from the iconic Beverly Hills Italian restaurant. It is a quick and easy, finely chopped salad with crisp lettuce, salty salami, and cheese, all tossed in a legendary Leon Dressing, also known as La Scala dressing.
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Why I Love This La Scala Chopped Salad
My parents worked in North Hollywood during many of my growing-up years. Dining in and around Beverly Hills (especially The Luau and holidays at Beverly Wilshire) was always a treat! Every time I make this salad, it takes me back to the wonderful years of sunshine, Los Angeles, and utterly and completely delicious foods! Here’s what else I love about this recipe!
- Delicious flavors from the salty salami, to rich mozzarella, and tangy Italian dressing ingredients.
- A hearty meal that’s perfect for lunch or a light dinner on the patio.
- Easy to make in minutes and wonderful for meal prep or making ahead.
- Exclusive Beverly Hills recipe that’s easy to make at home!
La Scalia Chopped Salad Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients for this La Scala chopped salad. Jump to recipe for exact measurements.
Dressing
- Olive oil: The base of the salad dressing
- Red wine vinegar: Adds zesty flavor
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic for the best flavor
- Dijon mustard: This emulsifier helps bring the oil and vinegar together in a creamy dressing.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Adds just the right amount of seasoning.
- Cheese: Pecorino Romano cheese is the classic choice from the original recipe, but you can use Parmesan cheese as an alternative.
Salad
- Iceberg and romaine lettuce: Provides delicious crunch in this chopped salad. Chop as thinly as possible for the best results. Shortcut: You can also purchase pre-shredded lettuce and then soak in ice cold water for a few minutes.
- Chickpeas: Adds fiber and plant-based protein to this delicious salad.
- Italian salami: Look for Italian salami instead of lunchmeat salami in the deli aisle of your grocery store. It often comes in a log and is not pre-sliced. Look for words like “dry-aged.”
- Mozzarella cheese: Fresh mozzarella that you grade yourself is a delicious choice, but pre-shredded mozzarella also saves time.
How to Make This Chopped Salad
This salad is easy to make with only a couple of steps!
Make the Dressing
Add the salad dressing ingredients to a small bowl or a lidded jar. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking to emulsify the dressing. You can also add everything to a lidded jar and shake vigorously to combine!
Combine Salad Ingredients
Add shredded lettuce, chickpeas, Italian salami, and mozzarella cheese to a large salad bowl. Pour the prepared dressing (to taste) over the salad and toss evenly to coat.
Serve & Enjoy
Enjoy the salad immediately or store leftovers in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. If prepping the salad in advance, store the dressing separately until you’re ready to serve.
Variations
- Dry Mustard: La Scala uses dry mustard instead of Dijon in the original Leon Dressing. If you want to substitute Dijon, use 1 teaspoon of dry mustard.
- Meat: In this salad, you replace the salami with pepperoni or other thinly sliced cured meats.
- Cheese: Parmesan or Pecorino can be used in addition or as an alternative.
- Lettuce: Instead of a combination of Romaine and Iceberg lettuce, you can substitute other leafy greens for the Romaine, like kale, spinach, arugula, and butter lettuce.
- Vegetarian: Omit the salami to make this salad completely vegetarian.
- Antipasto: Add Greek or Mediterranean olives and artichoke hearts to transform this chopped salad into an antipasto salad.
La Scala Chopped Salad Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re curious about the origins of this iconic dish or how to make it your own, you’re not alone! Below are some common questions about the Famous La Scala Chopped Salad—including tips, history, and helpful substitutions.
La Scala Chopped Salad is a legendary Italian-American salad known for its finely chopped ingredients, zesty vinaigrette, and signature combination of salami, mozzarella, and chickpeas. It’s a crunchy, satisfying dish that’s become iconic in Southern California.
This salad originated at La Scala, a beloved Beverly Hills restaurant founded in the 1950s by Jean Leon. It quickly became a favorite among Hollywood celebrities, like Elizabeth Taylor and President John F Kennedy, and has remained a classic ever since, often imitated but never duplicated.
Yes! You can prep the ingredients and dressing separately up to a day in advance. Simply toss everything together just before serving to maintain its signature crunch.
If you’re looking for alternatives, try turkey or grilled chicken for a lighter option, and feta or provolone in place of mozzarella. The key is to keep the flavor bold and the ingredients finely chopped.
More Restaurant-Inspired Recipes to Try
If you love recreating copycat recipes from your favorite restaurants, here are more reader-favorite recipes to bring that experience home:
- Panera Bread Squash Soup – Creamy, comforting, and perfectly spiced, just like the one you crave all fall long.
- Iced Vanilla Latte – Easy to make at home, it’s a delightful treat for warm days.
- World Famous Pasta Sauce – Inspired by the legendary Marcella Hazan’s 3-Ingredient tomato Sauce, deliciously simple!
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La Scalia Chopped Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard or 1 tsp dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and pepper (or to taste)
- ⅓ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese or grated Parmesan
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
Chopped Salad
- 5 cups shredded iceberg lettruce about 1 head of lettuce
- 4 cups shredded Romaine lettuce about 1 head of lettuce
- 1 (15-oz) can chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 4 ounces Italian salami (like Boar's Head) thinly sliced
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Add salad dressing ingredients into a small bowl or a lidded jar. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking to emulsify the dressing. Or, you can add everything to a lidded jar and shake vigorously to combine!
- Add the shredded lettuce, chickpeas, Italian salami, and mozzarella cheese to a large salad bowl. Pour the prepared dressing (to taste) over the salad and toss to evenly to coat.
- Enjoy the salad immediately or store leftovers in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. If prepping the salad in advance, store the dressing separately until you're ready to serve.
Notes
- Quick Steps: Buy pre-shredded lettuce to save time chopping.
- Salami: Look for Italian Salami (often found in a log), which differs from deli lunchmeat.
- Storing: Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. They make great lunches!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
This chopped is so easy and so delicious! I love bringing it to summer parties with its crispy greens and summery flavors! It NEVER lasts long.