Pizza…but make it SALAD. Let’s be real: When am I not wanting pizza? I pretty much want it any time, any day, but I doubt my body would tolerate all that cheese day in and day out. When I’ve got a hankering for pizza in a given week but it’s not in the cards, I put this salad on the menu for lunches. Of course, it’s not really pizza–nothing can ever take pizza’s place–but this at least gives me pretty solid pizza vibes.

The super simple dressing has all the same herbs most of us love on our ‘zas, and of course, the pepperonis are the highlight of this salad. We always grab a brand that isn’t full of junk and toxic preservatives, so definitely read those labels or get it straight from the deli (though, that doesn’t mean it’s “safe,” so ask questions). Pair those slightly spicy ‘ronis with some juicy cherry tomatoes and squeaky mozzarella balls (or cubes), and you’ve got yourself a delicious and satisfying spinach salad that even my 2 year old devours.

No joke…she’s a little salad stealer, and this is one of her faves! She eats the spinach and everything. Impressive (and says a lot about how good the dressing really is, even in its simplicity). Here she is with a mouthful of this spinach salad. Hope it’s just as satisfying for the rest of you pizza lovers out there. Enjoy!

“Pizza” Spinach Salad

This is what I like to call pizza but in salad form, with a simple Italian dressing and all my pizza lovers' favorite fixings.

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Prep Time 10 mins

Course Lunch, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups baby spinach roughly chopped
• 1/2 lb mixed cherry or grape tomatoes halved
• 1/2 small red onion minced
• 1 1/2 cups fresh mozzarella balls (or diced mozzarella)
• pepperoni or salami slices to taste

Dressing

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 lemon juiced (or white wine vinegar)
• pinch salt
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

 

• In a mason jar, combine all the dressing ingredients and shake, shake, shake!
• Slice your pepperonis and halve your tomatoes. Dice your mozzarella, if needed. And mince your red onion.
• In a salad bowl, combine spinach, pepperonis, red onion, tomatoes, and mozzarella. Sprinkle with pepper and drizzle on the dressing.
• Toss the salad to combine, and serve right away (or chill it for a bit, if you'd like). YUM!

Keyword italian, lunch, quick, salad