Last Updated on September 1, 2023
Are you looking for an easy, delicious way to transform any weekday dinner into something special? Look no further than Lou Malnati’s Pizza Restaurant chain’s signature salad!
Founded by Lou Malnati in 1971, this beloved restaurant has been serving Chicago-style deep-dish pizza—along with salads, sandwiches, and other dishes—for nearly five decades.
Perfect for quick family meals or fun weekend get-togethers! This simple salad takes just a few minutes to make and is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. Follow the step-by-step instructions to make a delicious Lou Malnati- inspired salad in no time.
What is Lou Malnati’s Salad?
Lou Malnati’s Salad is a flavorful, easy-to-make dish inspired by the popular Chicago restaurant chain. It is a blend of lettuce, salami, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, and blue cheese topped with a delicious sweet and savory dressing.
This salad can be served as an entrée or side dish and is perfect for any occasion. It’s also a great way to get your daily dose of veggies as it contains lettuce, mushrooms, and tomatoes—all packed with vitamins and minerals.
This dish is so easy to make that even the most inexperienced cook can create a delicious salad in no time! Plus, you can easily customize this recipe to suit your own tastes—add more or less of any ingredient to make it your own. Try adding roasted vegetables, nuts, or even fruit if you’d like!
What does it taste like?
Lou Malnati’s Salad is a delicious combination of sweet, salty, and savory flavors. The lettuce provides a crisp base for the salad while the salami adds a savory, salty flavor.
The mushrooms add an earthy touch to the dish, and blue cheese lends its creamy texture and salty flavor. The dressing is what really brings this salad together—it is a mixture of sugar, oil, Parmesan cheese, white wine vinegar, and Italian seasoning.
The sweetness of the sugar helps to balance out the saltiness of the cheese and salami, while the white wine vinegar adds an acidic kick.
How did I first get introduced to Lou Malnati’s Salad?
I first heard about the deliciousness of Lou Malnati’s Salad on a trip to Chicago. Everyone raved about their deep-dish pizza, but I was also intrigued by their signature salad. As soon as I returned home, I set out to try and recreate it myself.
I gathered all the ingredients—romaine lettuce, salami, mushrooms, blue cheese, olives, tomatoes, and the dressing—and began to prepare the dish. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to put together!
I had a little trouble getting the proportions of the dressing just right, but after a few trial-and-error attempts I finally got it perfect. The result was a delightful salad that reminded me exactly of the one I had enjoyed at Lou Malnati’s.
I’m now proud to serve Lou Malnati’s Salad as a regular part of my family’s meals. We love it so much that we even visit the restaurant chain from time to time just for the salad! It is truly a crowd-pleasing dish and one that will remain a staple in our kitchen for many years to come.
Whether you’ve been to Lou Malnati’s or not, I highly recommend giving this delicious salad a try. The combination of flavors is sure to delight your taste buds and bring smiles to everyone at the table!
How to make Lou Malnati’s Salad?
Making an authentic Lou Malnati Salad is as easy as following these steps:
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Ingredients
- Sugar: this helps to balance out the other flavors in the salad.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: adds a rich flavor and texture to the salad.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: adds a salty, nutty flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
- White Wine Vinegar: adds an acidic tang that balances out the sweetness of the sugar and the saltiness of the Parmesan cheese.
- Salami: adds a savory, salty flavor to the salad.
- Dried Italian Seasoning: gives the salad an extra boost of flavor.
- Romaine Lettuce: provides a crisp base for the salad and complements all of the flavors in it nicely.
- Garlic Powder: adds a nice garlic flavor to the salad.
- Fresh Mushrooms: adds a meaty, earthy flavor to the salad.
- Blue Cheese Crumbled: adds a salty, creamy flavor to the salad.
- Black Olives: gives the salad an extra boost of saltiness and umami flavor.
- Kosher Salt: helps to bring out the flavors of all of the other ingredients.
- Grape Tomatoes: Add a touch of sweetness and freshness to the salad.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
Cook the salami
- Preheat a large skillet
- Cook the salami slices over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Step 2
Prepare the dressing
- In a large bowl, combine the sugar, extra virgin olive oil, Parmesan cheese, white wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and Kosher salt.
- Whisk together until all of the ingredients are well combined.
Step 3
Assemble the salad
- Place the romaine lettuce in a large bowl.
- Top with the cooked salami, mushrooms, blue cheese, olives, and grape tomatoes.
- Pour the dressing over the top of the salad and toss to combine.
Tips
- To make this salad even more flavorful, try adding some roasted vegetables or nuts for a crunchy texture.
- You can also substitute the blue cheese with feta if you prefer a less pungent flavor.
- Feel free to add more or less of any ingredient as desired—try adding different types of olives, mushrooms, or cheese for a unique twist.
Equipment
- Skillet
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 1/4 cups sugar
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 6 oz salami sliced
- 1/2 tbsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup fresh mushrooms
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbled
- 1 cup black olives
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat the skillet and cook the salami until lightly browned.
- Prepare the dressing by mixing sugar, oil, Parmesan cheese, white wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Assemble the salad with romaine lettuce, salami, mushrooms, blue cheese, olives, and grape tomatoes. Pour the dressing over and toss.
Video
Notes
- To make this salad even more flavorful, try adding some roasted vegetables or nuts for a crunchy texture.
- You can also substitute the blue cheese with feta if you prefer a less pungent flavor.
- Feel free to add more or less of any ingredient as desired—try adding different types of olives, mushrooms, or cheese for a unique twist.
Nutrition
Nutrition Information
What to serve with Lou Malnati’s Salad?
Here are a few dishes that pair perfectly with Lou Malnati’s Salad:
- Grilled Chicken: Grilled chicken is a classic pairing for salads like Lou Malnati’s Salad. The savory, juicy chicken complements the acidity and sweetness of the dressing perfectly.
- Breadsticks: Breadsticks are always a great accompaniment to salads. They help to soak up all of the delicious dressing.
- Fresh Fruit: Add a fresh, fruity element to your meal by serving it with some freshly cut fruit. Pineapple is especially delicious when served alongside this salad.
- Wine: A glass of crisp white wine pairs wonderfully with Lou Malnati’s Salad. The light, fruity notes in the wine provide an excellent contrast to the savory flavors in the salad.
How to store leftover Lou Malnati’s Salad?
Leftover Lou Malnati’s Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To store it longer, divide it into individual servings and place them in freezer-safe containers or bags. When ready to eat, simply defrost and enjoy.
It is important to note that the lettuce will start to wilt and the dressing will separate after a few hours, so it is best to eat the salad within 2 days. For maximum flavor and texture, serve chilled or at room temperature.
Make sure to give the salad a good stir before serving, as the dressing tends to settle at the bottom of the container. With its combination of salty, sweet, and tangy flavors, Lou Malnati’s Salad is sure to please everyone at the table!
Can pregnant women eat this?
Yes, pregnant women can eat Lou Malnati’s Salad. The salad is packed with nutrients such as vitamins A and C, which are essential for the growth and development of a baby.
Salami is also safe to consume during pregnancy as long as it has been cooked to an internal temperature of at least 74°C (165°F). Additionally, the dressing is made with only a few ingredients, all of which are considered safe to eat during pregnancy.
However, it is important to note that pregnant women should always consult their doctor when deciding what foods to eat. In some cases, certain ingredients in the salad may be off-limits due to individual health considerations or dietary restrictions.
Pregnant women should also pay special attention to the storage instructions for this dish, as certain ingredients like lettuce can spoil quickly if not stored properly. All in all, Lou Malnati’s Salad is a delicious and nutritious choice for pregnant women!
FAQs
Is this salad vegan-friendly?
Unfortunately, Lou Malnati’s Salad is not suitable for vegans due to the presence of Parmesan cheese and salami. However, it can be made vegan by omitting these two ingredients and replacing them with a plant-based alternative. We recommend adding some roasted vegetables or nuts to give the salad a crunchy texture, as well as vegan cheese and a plant-based protein source for more flavor.
Can this be made gluten-free?
Yes, Lou Malnati’s Salad can be made gluten-free. All of the ingredients used to make the dressing and assemble the salad are naturally gluten-free, with the exception of the salami. To make this dish gluten-free, simply replace the salami with a gluten-free alternative or omit it entirely.
Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
Yes, you can certainly make the dressing ahead of time! The dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. When ready to use, simply give it a good stir and pour over the salad.
Is this salad suitable for a low-carb diet?
Yes, Lou Malnati’s Salad is suitable for those following a low-carb diet. The ingredients used to make up the salad are all naturally low in carbohydrates, with the exception of the salami which contains a small amount of carbs. To make this dish even lower in carbs, omit the salami and add more vegetables instead.
What are some alternative ingredients that can be used to make Lou Malnati’s Salad?
If you’re looking for something different, why not try adding some cooked bacon or grilled vegetables like eggplant or zucchini to the salad? You could also add fresh herbs like basil or parsley for a bright, herby flavor. Lastly, try swapping out the blue cheese for feta or goat cheese if you prefer a less pungent flavor.
Wrapping Up
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Lou Malnati’s Salad! This classic Italian salad is a great option for any occasion, thanks to its combination of savory and sweet flavors. Best of all, it’s easy to make and can be adapted to suit different dietary preferences and restrictions.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or looking for an easy weeknight meal, Lou Malnati’s Salad is sure to please everyone at the table. Give it a try and let us know how you like it! Feel free to share this article with your friends and family.
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Rebecca Novak is a trained chef with over 10 years of experience in the food industry. She has worked in both fine dining and casual Hungarian restaurants and specializes in creating dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. She also loves exploring different cuisines worldwide, which allows her to bring unique flavors and ideas to the recipes she creates for Hungarianchef.com. Read more
