The Ultimate Antipasto Salad with Olive-Oregano Dressing

Why Make This Salad at Home?

Craving the flavours of an Italian antipasto platter without the hassle of assembling individual meats, cheeses, and marinated veggies?

These ingredients, especially the Sun Dried Tomato became so popular in the early 1990’s- and for good reason! Sun-dried tomatoes undergo a dehydration process that removes water while intensifying their natural sweetness and acidity. The result? A chewy, slightly tart, and deeply savoury tomato with an incredibly rich taste. They have a more robust and complex flavor than fresh tomatoes, making them a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike.

Not only are they packed with flavor, but sun-dried tomatoes are also a nutrient powerhouse:

• High in antioxidants like lycopene, which supports heart health
• Rich in vitamins C and K, which boost immunity and bone health
• A great source of fiber, aiding digestion

This Antipasto Salad has all the bold, savoury flavours that everyone loves—tangy roasted peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, briny olives, mozzarella cheese, and Italian salami—all tossed together in one convenient dish.

Topped with our homemade Olive Oregano Dressing, this is an easy, restaurant-quality meal that comes together in minutes.

Olive Oregano Dressing Recipe

Ingredients:

¼ cup red wine vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
1 clove garlic
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp celery salt
½ tsp mustard powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp sugar
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup olive oil
4 black olives, pitted

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients except olives and olive oil in a blender.
2. Blend on high for 20 seconds until smooth.
3. Reduce speed and slowly drizzle in the olive oil to emulsify.
4. Add olives and blend for a few seconds to incorporate.

This dressing keeps up to a week in the fridge—perfect for meal prep!

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The Antipasto Salad

This hearty Antipasto Salad is like an antipasto platter in a bowl—fresh, crunchy, salty, cheesy, and totally satisfying. It’s perfect for meal prep, entertaining, or a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients:

1 head iceberg lettuce, large dice
2 roasted red peppers, sliced
6-8 sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
4 large marinated artichoke hearts, quartered
8 pepperoncini, sliced in half lengthwise
125g mozzarella or provolone, cubed
125g Genoa salami, sliced into strips
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. Use a wide bowl or platter and start with the lettuce as the base.
2. Arrange the marinated vegetables, cheese, and salami on top.
3. Drizzle with Olive Oregano Dressing (start with ½ of the dressing and add more as needed).
4. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper.

Shortcut Tip: Keep a stash of jarred roasted peppers, marinated artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes in your pantry for an easy, throw-together meal anytime!

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Homemade Garlic Butter Croutons

These crispy garlic butter croutons take the Antipasto Salad to the next level with the perfect crunch!

Ingredients:

• 1 demi baguette (or equivalent), cut into cubes
• 3 tbsp garlic butter (or 3 tbsp butter + chopped garlic)

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a frying pan over medium-low heat, adding a drizzle of olive oil.
2. Toss in the bread cubes, stirring frequently, until golden brown (about 4-5 minutes).
3. Remove from heat and let cool before adding to your salad.

Store any extra croutons in an airtight container for up to a week—or just snack on them!

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Why You’ll Love This Homemade Dressing & Salad

✔ Restaurant-Worthy, Made at Home – All the best parts of an antipasto platter, no assembly required!
✔ Quick & Convenient – Uses pantry staples and jarred ingredients for easy prep.
✔ Full of Bold Flavours – Briny olives, tangy peppers, creamy cheese, & savoury salami make each bite pop.
✔ Perfect for Meal Prep – The dressing and croutons can be made ahead for stress-free salads all week.
✔Versatile & Customizable – Swap in different cheeses, meats, or veggies to suit your taste.
✔ Great for Entertaining – A perfect shareable dish for parties and gatherings.

Pro Tip: Pair this salad with a glass of crisp white wine or a light Italian red for the ultimate flavour experience.

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Love Italian Cooking? Our “Little Italy” Cooking Class takes you step-by-step through this entire salad process, PLUS adds in our recipe for “Marry Me Pasta”! Click HERE to download the class!