Chopped Salad Pizza Recipe

The Perfect Chopped Salad Pizza Recipe for Fresh Food Lovers

Mediterranean flavors collide in this unique chopped salad pizza that breaks all the traditional rules.

Crisp vegetables dance across a golden, bubbling crust waiting to surprise you.

Layers of fresh ingredients create a vibrant canvas that challenges ordinary pizza expectations.

Weeknight dinners just got an exciting makeover with this simple yet ingenious combination.

Crumbled feta and zesty herbs add Mediterranean magic to every delectable slice.

Quick to assemble and bursting with color, this recipe promises to become your new dinner obsession.

You’ll want to grab friends and share this delightful culinary adventure that blends salad and pizza into one irresistible dish.

Why Chopped Salad Pizza Combines The Best Of Both Worlds

  • Whip Up a Quick Crowd-Pleaser: This chopped salad pizza transforms traditional pizza into a fresh, vibrant meal that comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or spontaneous gatherings.
  • Customize with Ease: The recipe offers incredible flexibility, allowing you to swap salad ingredients based on what's in your fridge or your family's preferences, ensuring no two pizzas are exactly alike.
  • Boost Nutritional Value: By topping a crispy pizza crust with a fresh salad, you're creating a balanced dish that combines the satisfying crunch of pizza with the lightness of a garden-fresh salad, sneaking extra vegetables into a typically indulgent meal.
  • Minimal Cleanup, Maximum Flavor: Using just a few kitchen tools and delivering a complete meal on a single crust, this recipe simplifies cooking and reduces dish washing, making it a smart choice for home cooks seeking convenience and deliciousness.

Chopped Salad Pizza Ingredient Guide

Pizza Base:
  • Pizza Dough: Soft and stretchy foundation for the pizza, homemade or store-bought work well.
  • Olive Oil: Light coating to help crisp and flavor the crust, extra virgin preferred.
Cheese Layer:
  • Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Melty base that adds creamy richness and salty depth, freshly grated recommended.
  • Garlic Powder: Optional seasoning for extra flavor punch.
Salad Topping:
  • Lettuce: Crisp and fresh green base for the salad, romaine or mixed greens best.
  • Cherry Tomatoes: Bright, juicy bursts of flavor, ripe and colorful varieties preferred.
  • Cucumber: Cool and crunchy vegetable addition, seedless or English cucumbers work great.
  • Red Onion: Sharp, zesty bite that adds complexity, thinly sliced for best texture.
Dressing and Seasoning:
  • Italian Dressing: Tangy and herbal coating that brings salad ingredients together, store-bought or homemade options.
  • Salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall flavor.
  • Black Pepper: Provides mild heat and depth, freshly ground preferred.

How To Make Chopped Salad Pizza Easily

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Heat the oven to a toasty 450°F (230°C). If you have a pizza stone or baking sheet, slide it into the oven to get nice and hot.

Step 2: Create The Pizza Base

Roll out your pizza dough into a beautiful circular shape around 10-12 inches wide. Gently brush the surface with a light coating of olive oil. Sprinkle generously with:
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Garlic powder (optional)

Step 3: Bake The Crust

Pop the pizza into the hot oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn golden and crispy. Once done, pull it out and let it rest for a few moments.

Step 4: Prepare The Vibrant Salad Topping

While the crust is baking, mix your chopped salad ingredients in a large bowl. Toss everything with Italian dressing. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.

Step 5: Assemble And Serve

After the crust has cooled for about 5 minutes, layer the fresh chopped salad on top. Slice into wedges and serve immediately for maximum crunch and flavor.

Top Tips For Chopped Salad Pizza

  • Customize Crust Options: Swap traditional pizza dough for whole wheat, gluten-free, or cauliflower crust to accommodate different dietary needs and preferences.
  • Maximize Freshness Factor: Chop salad ingredients just before serving to maintain crisp texture and prevent wilting, ensuring a vibrant and crunchy topping.
  • Balance Dressing Carefully: Use light Italian dressing to prevent soggy crust; add dressing gradually and toss salad just before topping to maintain crispness.
  • Elevate Flavor Combinations: Experiment with additional toppings like grilled chicken, crispy bacon bits, or roasted vegetables to enhance the salad pizza's complexity.
  • Serve Immediately Strategy: Assemble salad on pizza crust right before serving to preserve the perfect contrast between warm crispy base and cool, fresh salad topping.

Storage Advice For Chopped Salad Pizza

  • Wrap leftover pizza tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, keeping the crispy crust from getting soggy.
  • Reheat slices in a preheated oven at 375F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness.
  • Avoid microwaving, which can make the crust soft and chewy.
  • If you've already added the salad, it's best to consume the pizza immediately for optimal texture and flavor.

Great Matches For Chopped Salad Pizza

  • Pair with Crisp Pinot Grigio: Light, zesty white wine cuts through the richness of cheese and complements the fresh salad topping, creating a refreshing balance.
  • Serve with Sparkling Water and Lemon: Bubbly, citrusy beverage cleanses the palate between bites, enhancing the salad's bright flavors and pizza's crispy texture.
  • Match with Arugula Side Salad: Additional fresh greens with a tangy vinaigrette provide a complementary crunch and enhance the main dish's herbal notes.
  • Enjoy with Chilled Tuscan Rosé: Dry, fruity wine bridges the gap between the pizza's warmth and salad's coolness, offering a perfect Mediterranean-style pairing.

Ways To Customize Chopped Salad Pizza

  • Herbaceous Garden Pizza: Swap the standard salad mix with fresh arugula, add roasted zucchini and basil leaves, drizzle with lemon-herb vinaigrette for a light, summery version.
  • Mediterranean Fusion Pizza: Replace Italian dressing with tzatziki sauce, top with cucumber, kalamata olives, feta cheese, and chopped red onions for a Greek-inspired experience.
  • Protein Power Pizza: Incorporate grilled chicken or chickpeas into the chopped salad, sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese and add sun-dried tomatoes for extra protein and flavor complexity.
  • Spicy Southwest Remix: Mix in black beans, corn kernels, jalapeños, and cilantro, swap Italian dressing for chipotle ranch, then garnish with pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.

Chopped Salad Pizza FAQs

  • What makes this pizza different from traditional pizzas?

This pizza combines a crispy baked crust with a fresh chopped salad topping, creating a unique hybrid between pizza and salad that offers both warm and cool textures in one dish.

  • Can I make this pizza vegetarian?

Absolutely! The recipe is naturally vegetarian. You can easily customize the salad ingredients to suit your preferences while keeping the base concept the same.

  • Is this recipe good for a quick meal?

Yes, it’s perfect for a fast and fresh dinner. The entire process takes about 20-25 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal weeknight meal for busy people.

  • Do I need any special cooking skills to make this pizza?

Not at all! This recipe is beginner-friendly. If you can roll out dough, chop vegetables, and use an oven, you’ll have no trouble creating this delicious pizza salad.

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Chopped Salad Pizza Recipe

Chopped Salad Pizza Recipe


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4.5 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Chopped salad pizza blends crisp, fresh greens with a perfectly baked crust, creating a light yet satisfying meal. Zesty dressing and colorful ingredients turn this dish into a delightful culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Pizza Base Ingredients:

  • 1 ball pizza dough (1214 ounces / 340397 grams)
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Supplementary Pizza Base Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Chopped Salad Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • ¼ cup cucumber, diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ¼ cup chopped pepperoncini
  • ¼ cup salami or turkey, chopped (optional)
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta or shredded mozzarella
  • 2 tablespoons Italian dressing (or more to taste)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to a scorching 450F (230C), positioning a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat thoroughly.
  2. Stretch the pizza dough into a circular shape approximately 10-12 inches wide, creating an even surface for toppings.
  3. Coat the dough with a light layer of olive oil, then evenly distribute mozzarella, Parmesan, and a sprinkle of garlic powder across the surface.
  4. Transfer the prepared pizza into the hot oven and bake until the edges turn golden and the crust becomes crisp, roughly 10-12 minutes.
  5. While the crust bakes, combine chopped salad ingredients in a mixing bowl, gently tossing with Italian dressing to ensure each ingredient is well-coated.
  6. Carefully assess the salad’s flavor profile, adding a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste.
  7. After removing the pizza from the oven, allow it to rest and cool slightly for approximately 5 minutes to prevent soggy crust.
  8. Generously layer the dressed salad mixture over the warm pizza crust, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.
  9. Slice the pizza into wedges and serve immediately to maintain the crisp texture and fresh salad components.

Notes

  • Customize the dough by using whole wheat or gluten-free options for different dietary needs.
  • Pre-heating the pizza stone or baking sheet ensures a crispy, restaurant-style crust with perfect texture.
  • Experiment with different dressings like ranch or balsamic vinaigrette to change the salad’s flavor profile.
  • Chop vegetables uniformly to create a balanced and visually appealing salad topping that distributes evenly across the pizza.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 370
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 650mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg
Dave Mitchell

Dave Mitchell

Founder & Chief Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Grilling Techniques and Innovations​
  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Culinary Education and Workshops​
  • Food Photography and Styling

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and menu planning, with a special emphasis on grilling and outdoor cooking. ​


Dave Mitchell is the heart behind Daves Grill, a cook, writer, and lover of all things grilled. He studied Culinary Arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and spent years cooking, testing, and sharing recipes that actually work.

Dave started Daves Grill to keep things simple: one great recipe at a time. His food is bold, easy to follow, and made for real people with regular kitchens. From juicy steaks to quick sides, Dave’s recipes bring the heat without the hassle.

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