La Scala Chopped Salad is crunchy, salty, tangy, and loaded with crisp lettuce, salami, mozzarella, chickpeas, and the iconic Leon Dressing.
Author’s Notes
The Salad Kim Made Famous Again
A little background: La Scala Chopped Salad comes from the famous La Scala restaurant in Beverly Hills, which opened in 1956. It became one of their most popular dishes and helped kick off the chopped salad craze in LA.
The idea is simple: chop everything small so it’s easy to eat and every bite has a little bit of everything. Crisp lettuce, salty salami, mozzarella, chickpeas, and Leon Dressing all mixed together. Yes, please!
This salad has been loved for decades, but it got a fresh wave of hype after becoming known as one of Kim Kardashian’s favorite salads. And honestly, yes Kim! This salad is THE BEST! It’s crunchy, salty, tangy, and so easy to make at home.
La Scala Chopped Salad Ingredients
| Ingredient | Let’s Chat About It |
|---|---|
| Iceberg & Romaine lettuce | For the best crunch, use cold, crisp lettuce and chop it right before serving. |
| Italian salami | Deli-sliced salami gives the salad a fresher, more restaurant-style feel. |
| Mozzarella cheese | Grab a block and shred it fresh for this salad. I love Tillamook’s mozzarella here! |
| Garbanzo beans (AKA Chickpeas!) | Drain and rinse well, then pat dry so they don’t water down the salad. |
| Leon Dressing ingredients | Use good grated Parmesan from the fridge section, not the shelf-stable kind. |
Chelsea’s Tips
My Top Chopped Salad Tips
I’ve made a lot of chopped salads over the years, and this La Scala Chopped Salad has quickly become a favorite. Here are a few tips to make it the best:
Dry the lettuce well: Wet lettuce waters down the dressing and makes the salad soggy. I like to wash and dry it after grocery shopping, chill it, then use it the next day.
Dress right before eating: Toss only what you’ll eat right away. For meal prep, store everything separately and combine just before serving so the salad stays crisp.
Cut small: The smaller the chop, the more “La Scala” it feels. You want little bits of everything in each bite.
Chill before serving: This salad is best cold, so keep the ingredients chilled until you’re ready to toss.
What To Serve With La Scala Chopped Salad
- Pizza: This salad is so good with a simple cheese, pepperoni, or margherita pizza.
- Pasta: Serve it with baked ziti, spaghetti, lasagna, or creamy tomato pasta.
- Soup: Pair it with tomato soup, minestrone, or Italian wedding soup.
- Grilled Chicken: Add it on the side or slice it right on top to make the salad more filling.
- Sandwiches: Serve with Italian subs, turkey sandwiches, paninis, or grilled cheese.
Storage
Dress only what you’ll eat right away. Store the salad ingredients and Leon Dressing separately in the fridge. Shake or whisk the dressing well before using.
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La Scala Chopped Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups finely chopped iceberg lettuce
- 4 cups finely chopped Romaine lettuce
- 1 cup julienned Italian salami
- 1 cup Freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can chickpeas drain, rinse, & pat dry
- 1/3 cup olive oil best quality you can!
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese see note 1
Instructions
- Dry Lettuce: If the lettuces need washing, wash them first, then dry very well. Wet lettuce will water down the dressing and throw off the whole salad.
- Make Dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients in a wide-mouth mason jar. Seal and shake well.
- Assemble Salad: Add iceberg lettuce, Romaine, salami, and mozzarella to a large bowl.
- Dress Salad: Shake dressing again before using. Pour dressing over only the portion of salad you’ll eat right away.
- Add Chickpeas: Add chickpeas to the empty dressing jar, seal, and shake to coat them in the leftover dressing clinging to the jar. Add chickpeas to the salad.
- Toss & Serve: Toss well and enjoy right away. This salad does not sit well once dressed.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
