This Copycat Maggiano’s Chopped Salad is a life changer. No really, life changer. Jorge has always turned up his nose when I have tried to make salad for dinner…joking it was too healthy. So this week, I decided I would make one for myself and also do a thin crust pizza on the side for him.
I gave him a tiny side of salad and a huge bowl for myself. Next thing I know, he was going back for seconds and then thirds…and then fourths! And I was SHOCKED when he asked me to start making this for dinner weekly. WHOA. I knew I had a winner. I made it again to photograph it and guess who ate another huge helping? Yup. He’s a chopped salad addict now.
I love love love this chopped salad from Maggiano’s. I order it every single time we go and I had a serious random craving for it. We don’t live super close to a Maggiano’s and haven’t been in probably close to a year, but I couldn’t get it out of my head.
We used to go to Maggiano’s a ton growing up for family dinners and Jorge and I even went there the night we got engaged (10 years ago this July – holy crap). So you can understand, I have a certain soft spot for their food.
I am proud to say this Copycat Maggiano’s Chopped Salad recipe is just as good – if not better – than the original. Crispy salty prosciutto, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy ripe avocado and tangy gorgonzola cheese make this salad divine. The creamy homemade vinagrette adds just the right finishing touch!
Oh and did I forget to mention — it takes less than 30 minutes to make!
For a party: arrange the salad with toppings in lines on top like I did in the first photo. Then when you are ready to serve, toss it all together and add the dressing!
Copycat Maggiano's Chopped Salad
This Copycat Maggiano's Chopped Salad has prosciutto, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, tangy gorgonzola cheese, and a homemade vinaigrette!
Ingredients
Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1⁄2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- 1⁄3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1⁄3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Salad:
- 3 romaine hearts, chopped
- 1 (10.5 oz) container cherry tomatoes, chopped
- 5 oz crumbled gorgonzola cheese (or blue cheese)
- 3 oz prosciutto, pan fried till crispy and chopped
- 1 large avocado, chopped
Instructions
- Dressing: In a food processor or blender, add all ingredients and process until smooth. Store in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to a week until ready to serve.
- Salad: In a large bowl, toss together lettuce, tomatoes, gorgonzola, prosciutto and avocados. Drizzle on top as much dressing as you would like and toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Notes
Recipe Note: to pan fry prosciutto — you cook it just like bacon. In a frying pan over medium-high heat, cook prosciutto slices for about 30 seconds per side. Remove from pan and transfer to a chopping board. Let cool for 2 minutes and it will crisp up. Then just chop it up!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 641Total Fat: 58gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 42gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 1242mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 7gSugar: 6gProtein: 19g
Categories
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Excellent salad
The Maggiano’s I go to doesn put avocado in the salad but they do put in red onion. I love making this salad
Maggiano’s where I go doesnt put in avocado but they do add red onion, put you could add anything you like, it’s the dressing that makes this salad
URGENT! Hello! I would like to know how to make the copycat maggiano’s chopped salad for a crowd of 50 adults and 20 children for a party next weekend. Can you help?
Hi Marcia! WOW! That’s a big crowd! I’d recommend prepping everything ahead and storing it in separate containers. When everyone gets there, you can quickly toss the salad together. If I were serving that many, I believe I’d make about 10x the recipe as shown…depending heavily on how many other sides I have and if everyone coming is a salad eater. Good luck!
Wondering if you could add onion, red pepper or any other vegetables
Sure! You can add whatever you like, it’s your salad! :-)
IDK I found the dressing very bland. Of course I have never had the restaurant version so maybe that is the way it should taste. I added some white wine vinegar, gave the dressing some zip.
Excellent!! True flavor of original recipe!!!!!
Outstanding! I was extremely impressed with this recipe because it was fantastic! I love the chopped salad from Maggiano’s and had been craving it for weeks but COVID-19 has not afforded me the pleasure to go in and enjoy this salad.
Until now :) ….I made this salad for dinner and it was better than any meal I’ve had this week:in fact I saved enough for lunch for today. Perfect recipe & delish!!
Had this dressing for the first time the other night and was hooked. I was so excited when I found this recipe because the ingredients made sense for what I tasted at the restaurant. Just made some and I am HOOOOOOKED. Cut back on the amount of oil (only used EVOO) and added a bit more water to lighten the dressing up, and added a touch more of the vinegars for more bite and I’m in salad heaven! Thanks for this recipe! It’s permanently bookmarked.
Have been craving this salad, finally decided to try making it at home and it was delicious!
Very Much!
Muito bom, excelente!
Excelente, adorei estas imagens.
Did you ever get an answer on whether to use White balsamic vinegar for both vinegars or just one? Had this salad recently at the restaurant and loved it. I really want to bring it to Christmas dinner.
I never got an answer so I just replaced the white vinegar with white balsamic vinegar. I thought the dressing was very good and did taste like what we had at Maggiano’s, although maybe a little bit more pepper than I remembered. The salad was a big hit at Christmas dinner.
I love this salad
How do you keep the lettuce crisp.? You
This was SO good! The dressing was amazing too and so easy. Homemade dressing always tastes better!
I loved your article! Thank you