Here's how to make the famous La Scala Chopped Salad at home with easy steps! Enjoyed by A-lister celebrities, it's a simple and delicious salad, packed full of flavor, and perfect to enjoy as a meal or side dish.
The La Scala Chopped Salad is fresh, crunchy and full of flavor. It tastes similar to a simplified Italian salad. It's actually quite easy to make with only a handful of ingredients. The original La Scala salad does include thin strips of salami, however here I've made a vegetarian version and swapped the salami for thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes. They're tangy and salty and in my opinion, taste just as good!
The iconic La Scala restaurant in Beverly hills is known as a famous spot A-lister celebrities visit. This La Scala chopped salad is said to be a favorite order amongst celebs including the Kardashians and many others. So here's how to make it at home, without needing to take a trip to Beverly Hills 🙂. It's also known for its fun up-side down design which I'll show you how to remake!
If you love celebrity remake recipes, check out my Jennifer Aniston salad or Gigi Hadid spicy vodka pasta
What's great is you can enjoy the La Scala salad as a main meal or even as a side dish. Perfect for gatherings, picnics or BBQ's as the flavors will work great when paired alongside other dishes.
If you love chopped salad recipes as much as I do, check out my lentil salad, Greek orzo salad or my chopped Italian sandwich which has similar flavors into a sandwich!
Table of Contents
History of the La Scala Chopped Salad
La Scala is a famous restaurant in Beverly Hills that has been a hot-spot for A-lister celebrities for decades! The very popular La Scala Chopped salad stems back to the 1950’s where it was made by the restauranteur Jean Leon.
Rumor has it that the salad was made into bite sized pieces making it easier to eat by glamorous celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and even president John F Kennedy. The recipe was shared in the LA Times back in an article in 1989. Its still trending these days and eaten by the Kardashians whom say it's also their favorite salad!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Remake a famous recipe! If you cant make it to Beverly Hills to taste this iconic salad, you can easily make it at home!
- Flavor Explosion: Every bite bursts with a delicious crunch and all the flavors in one
- Quick & Easy: With simple ingredients and easy steps, anyone can make it
- Customizable: Swap with your favorites! Here I've swapped the salami for sun-dried tomatoes, you can also add different veggies or protein such as pieces of grilled chicken breasts
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Iceberg and romaine lettuce are the base of our salad. A mix of the lettuces provides a refreshing crunch and different textures between the two
- Mozzarella cheese adds a creamy, milky flavor. I prefer to add fresh mozzarella, however shredded mozzarella is popularly used. You can also substitute with provolone for a sharper taste
- Sun dried tomatoes are what I've added rather than the original recipe which includes julienned Italian salami. Artichoke hearts or marinated peppers would be delicious also, otherwise feel free to add salami if you aren't vegetarian
- Chickpeas also called garbanzo beans, are marinated in the dressing for the ultimate flavor. They're packed with fiber and protein to keep you satiated. Cannellini beans or other legumes are a good substitute
La Scala Dressing
- Extra virgin olive oil is the delicious base of the dressing and always my preference in oil
- Red wine vinegar adds acidity without being overpowering. Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice can be substitutes
- Dijon mustard adds a creamy delicious tang. It's said that dry mustard is in the original recipe
- Honey is a personal addition, I find it helps balance the tanginess from the other ingredients
- Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano) is finely grated and whisked into the dressing, adding saltiness and umami deliciousness. You can also add pecorino romano cheese
How to make La Scala Chopped Salad
Make the famous La Scala salad at home and in no time at all. Follow my simple steps below.
Add dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk
Add chickpeas to a large bowl and mix in 2-3 tbsps of the dressing. Leave on the side for now
If using fresh mozzarella, cut and place on a paper towel to remove excess water
Finely chop up romaine and iceberg lettuce. Add to a large salad bowl
Cut sun dried tomatoes into thin strips (I find it easier to use scissors)
Add sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella and remaining dressing to the bowl. Mix to combine
How to Assemble Salad
Assemble by stirring the marinated chickpeas and flatten to ensure they're in an even layer
Add dressed salad on top of the chickpeas and gently press down to compact it
Place a large plate on top of the salad bowl and flip the bowl upside down
Slowly lift to reveal the salad - the chickpeas should be on top. Add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Allow the chickpeas to marinate while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. This will make them taste so much better with more flavor
- If you have extra time, soak the lettuce in a bowl of water with ice cubes for about 10-15 minutes, this will make it extra crisp
- Finely chop the salad ingredients into the same sized pieces to make it easier to enjoy each mouthful
- Dress the salad when ready to eat it. Its best when eaten freshly made as the dressing can make the salad soggy if left out
- Feel free to make adjustments or add extra veggies. I love adding cucumbers, artichokes and cherry tomatoes
Storage Instructions
- Once dressed, it's best to enjoy the La Scala salad fresh, as the finely chopped lettuce becomes soggy very quickly if left
- You can however store leftovers of the salad ingredients (which haven't been dressed) in a separate airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Store leftover dressing in an airtight mason jar or sealed container in the fridge for up to a week. Give it a good shake before using again, if its thickened up too much you can add a splash of water to thin it out
FAQs
It's a simple Italian salad consisting of chopped lettuce, chickpeas, salami and cheese with a tangy mustard dressing. Created in the 1950's by restaurateur Jean Leon and served in his restaurant La Scala. It's rated by A-lister celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, JFK and the Kardashians for decades!
The original salad consists of Italian salami, however here I've used sun-dried tomatoes instead for a vegetarian version. Roasted pepper strips or artichokes work well too
Yes, you can prepare the salad ingredients and dressing separately and assemble together when you are ready to eat
More Chopped Salads
Looking for other chopped salad recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with La Scala Chopped Salad:
I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your La Scala Chopped Salad photo on Instagram so I can share the love!
Recipe
La Scala Chopped Salad (Famous Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 head iceberg lettuce
- ½ head romaine lettuce
- 3.5oz / 100g fresh mozzarella ball or shredded mozzarella cheese
- 15oz / 425g can of garbanzo beans / chickpeas - drained
- 6 pieces of sun-dried tomatoes
La Scala Dressing
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1-2 teaspoons honey
- ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese or pecorino romano cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the dressing ingredients to a small jar or bowl and whisk together
- Add the chickpeas to a large bowl and pour 2-3 tablespoons of the dressing to the chickpeas and mix together Leave them on the side to marinate while you prepare the rest of the salad
- If using fresh mozzarella, slice into strips or cubes and place on a paper towel to remove the excess water
- Finely chop up the iceberg and romaine lettuce and add to a large salad bowl. Slice the sun dried tomatoes into thin strips, I find it easier to use scissors
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella to the lettuce bowl along with the remaining dressing and toss together so its all nicely coated
Assemble Salad
- If wishing to serve like the La Scala restaurant design, stir the marinated chickpeas and ensure they're in an even layerAdd the dressed salad directly on top of the chickpeas and gently press down to compact the salad into the bowl
- Place a large plate on top of the salad bowl, and carefully flip the bowl upside down - the bowl should then be on top
- Slowly lift up the bowl to reveal the salad - the chickpeas should be visible on topAdd a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and enjoy your delicious La Scala Chopped Salad!
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