This copycat Maggiano’s chopped salad combines crisp romaine, tomatoes, avocado, bacon, blue cheese, and a bold Parmesan-garlic dressing. It is a restaurant-style salad that works as a starter, side dish, or light lunch.
What Is Maggiano’s Chopped Salad?
A restaurant-style Italian salad
The salad is made with finely chopped ingredients and a zesty dressing so every bite contains several flavors.
Crisp, creamy, and savory textures
Romaine provides crunch, avocado adds creaminess, bacon brings saltiness, and blue cheese provides tang.
Why chop everything evenly
Uniform pieces distribute the dressing and make the salad easier to eat.
Copycat recipe note
This is an independently written copycat-style recipe inspired by restaurant salad flavors, not an official restaurant recipe.
Maggiano’s Chopped Salad Ingredients
Salad vegetables
Romaine and tomatoes provide freshness, while avocado contributes richness.
Bacon and cheese
Crisp bacon and blue cheese give the salad its savory restaurant-style flavor.
Parmesan-garlic dressing
Parmesan, garlic, vinegar, oil, mustard, oregano, and pepper create a bold dressing.
Ingredient substitutions
Use Gorgonzola instead of blue cheese, turkey bacon if preferred, or chickpeas for extra substance.
How to Make the Salad
Prepare the dressing
Whisk sugar, mustard, pepper, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, garlic, vinegars, and water. Gradually whisk in the oils, then stir in Parmesan.
Prepare the salad ingredients
Chop the romaine and tomatoes. Dice the avocado and crumble the bacon.
Combine the ingredients
Add everything to a large bowl, reserving some bacon and cheese for garnish.
Toss and serve
Add dressing just before serving and toss gently.
Tips, Serving, and Storage
Keep the salad crisp
Dry romaine well and add avocado and dressing immediately before serving.
Balance the dressing
Taste before tossing. Add a little vinegar for sharpness or oil to soften the flavor.
Make it a meal
Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas.
Store components separately
Keep the dressing and salad separate. Dressed leftovers are best eaten the same day.
Can I make the dressing ahead? Yes. Refrigerate it for up to several days and whisk before using.
Maggiano’s Chopped Salad Recipe: Copycat Italian Salad
Ingredients
- Salad Ingredients
- 3 romaine hearts chopped.
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved.
- 5 ounces blue cheese or Gorgonzola crumbled.
- 4 –5 slices bacon cooked and crumbled.
- 1 large avocado diced.
- Dressing
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano.
- ¼ teaspoon salt.
- 1 garlic clove minced.
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar.
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar.
- 2 tablespoons water.
- ⅓ cup canola or vegetable oil.
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil.
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan.
Instructions
- Whisk the sugar, mustard, pepper, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, garlic, vinegars, and water.
- Slowly whisk in both oils.
- Stir in Parmesan.
- Combine romaine, tomatoes, avocado, bacon, and blue cheese.
