Pizza night is always a treat, with its gooey cheese, savory sauce, and crispy crust. But what can make pizza night even better? A great salad! A “salad for pizza” isn’t just any salad. It’s made to go with pizza and balance out the rich and heavy flavors. It’s like having the perfect partner for your slice, adding crunch, freshness, and a light touch to your meal. The idea is to balance flavors, cut through the richness of pizza, and add a fresh dose of veggies and fiber to your plate.
While eating just pizza is fine, adding a well-made salad makes the meal feel more complete. A good salad can turn takeout pizza into a special meal, or be the perfect support for your homemade pizza. Salads for pizza are usually crunchy, have tart dressings, and include Italian-style ingredients that match well with pizza.
Why put salad with pizza?
Pizza is tasty, but it can be very rich and filling. A salad gives a much-needed contrast, with a crisp texture and a tangy taste. Eating salad helps you enjoy each bite of pizza more and keeps you from feeling too full or bored with the same flavor. Salad also sneaks extra fiber and veggies into your meal, helping you feel more satisfied overall. Plus, the fresh taste of olives, punchy dressings, and crunchy veggies can make each bite of pizza feel even more exciting.
Popular salads that go well with pizza
Some salads are especially good with pizza, especially those with Italian flavors. The “Chopped Italian Salad” is a top choice, filled with crunchy lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and olives with a tart vinaigrette. Every piece is chopped small, so you get a mix of everything in each forkful.
Another good pick is a basic green salad, using romaine or spring mix, a few tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette. This simple mix is fresh and supports the pizza’s flavors instead of fighting them. Salads with beans like chickpeas can also be great-they’re filling and go well with pizza. The best pizza salads are always crunchy, zesty, and a little sour or tart, providing a cool side to the warm, cheesy pizza.
Must-have ingredients in pizza salads
The secret to a good salad for pizza is picking toppings and textures that add freshness, crunch, and a hint of tang. These ingredients need to taste good on their own and also work with the pizza. Here are some basics:
Good greens and veggies
- Romaine lettuce: Crunchy and holds up well to dressing.
- Radicchio: Adds a hint of bitterness. Use less or swap for more romaine or even purple cabbage if you don’t like bitter flavors.
- Tomatoes: Cherry or grape tomatoes burst with sweetness and acidity.
- Cucumbers: Mini or seedless types for the best crunch.
- Red onion: Thinly sliced for a strong bite (run under cold water if it’s too sharp).
- Bell peppers, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers: Extra color and flavor.
Cheese and protein for flavor
- Parmesan cheese: Adds edge and savory taste.
- Mozzarella balls: Soft and creamy.
- Chickpeas or beans: For a filling, vegetarian option.
- Optional meats: Salami, pepperoni, or chicken for extra protein. Just don’t load up too much if your pizza already has a lot of meat.
Great salad toppings
- Olives: Use a mix for depth of flavor (Castelvetrano, Kalamata, Spanish).
- Pepperoncini peppers: Pickled, adds punch and a light kick.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Sweet, chewy, and “meaty.”
- Croutons: For more crunch.
- Fresh basil: For aroma and taste.
Favorite salad dressings with pizza
The right dressing brings a salad together. For salads with pizza, you want something tangy, zesty, and not too heavy. Here are some favorites:
| Dressing | Main Ingredients | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Italian vinaigrette | Olive oil, red wine vinegar, herbs, garlic, Dijon | Zesty, classic, and matches pizza flavors well |
| Red wine vinaigrette | Red wine vinegar, olive oil, thyme, garlic | Extra tangy, stands up to rich pizza |
| Creamy parmesan | Parmesan, mayo, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice | Rich, yet with a kick; still balances pizza |
| Lemon & olive oil | Lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper | Light and lets veggie flavors shine |
Best pizza salad recipes
A good salad can make pizza night feel even more special. Here are some go-to salad ideas:
Classic chopped Italian salad
- Ingredients: Chopped romaine, radicchio, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, chickpeas, pepperoncini, Parmesan.
- Dressing: Red wine vinaigrette
- Tips: Cut everything small so each bite is full of flavor.
- Optional: Add cubed cheese or salami for extra richness.
Simple green salads for pizza
- Romaine or spring mix, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and a basic vinaigrette.
- Try adding artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, or a handful of chickpeas.
- Dress lightly so the salad doesn’t overshadow the pizza’s flavor.
Salads for different pizza types
| Pizza Type | Salad Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Meat-heavy pizza | Light green salad with lemon dressing or peppery arugula salad |
| Veggie pizza | Salad with beans, artichokes, or sun-dried tomatoes for variety |
| Margherita pizza | Caprese (tomato, mozzarella, basil, balsamic) or basic green salad |
| Pesto pizza | Salad with sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and basic vinaigrette |
Making salad for pizza more filling
If you want your salad to keep you fuller or even serve as the main course, just add protein, beans, or grains!
Ways to make salad more filling
- Chicken: Grill or use cooked rotisserie chicken, slice or shred it, toss into salad.
- Beans: Chickpeas and cannellini beans add bulk and protein. Good for vegetarians.
- Pasta: Cook and cool small shapes like orzo or Ditalini before mixing in.
- Grains: Quinoa or farro add bite, extra protein, and keep you full.
- Meat add-ins: A little salami or pepperoni is good, but don’t go overboard if your pizza is already meaty.
Recommended pizza and salad pairings
Matching the right salad to your pizza can make the whole meal better. Here are some ideas:
| Pizza | Good Salad Match | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Margherita | Light green salad or Caprese | Keeps the meal fresh and simple |
| Meat lovers’ | Chopped Italian salad | Acid and crunch cut through the heavy pizza |
| Veggie pizza | Green salad with artichokes/sun-dried tomatoes | Adds new flavors, keeps things interesting |
Preparing salads in advance
Getting your salad ready ahead of time can help you enjoy pizza night without rushing. Here’s how:
What can you prep early?
- Wash and dry romaine and radicchio, chop and store in containers with a paper towel.
- Chop cucumbers, onions, bell peppers and keep them in airtight boxes in the fridge.
- Halve tomatoes, pit and chop olives, rinse canned beans – keep these in containers, too.
- Proteins like cooked chicken or salami can also be prepped earlier.
How to keep salad and dressing separate
- Always store dressing in a separate container from the salad ingredients.
- Dress the salad right before eating to prevent sogginess.
- Homemade vinaigrettes keep in the fridge for several days. Shake or mix well before using.
- For easy serving, use jars to “layer” – dressing goes on the bottom, crisp veggies next, greens on top. Just shake before pouring out.
Frequently asked questions
Can you serve warm salad with pizza?
Most pizza salads are cold because they offer a cool refreshment beside the hot pizza. But you can also do warm salads, like roasted veggie salads (think roasted Brussels sprouts or carrots with a simple dressing). Just make sure it’s not too heavy, or it might compete with the pizza instead of helping balance it out. A lightly dressed warm salad can be a nice option, depending on your pizza and taste.
Should salad come before pizza?
You can eat salad before, during, or after pizza-whatever you prefer. Many people like salad before pizza because it helps you feel a bit fuller and gets you ready for the main course. Others like to eat both together, switching between bites of pizza and salad for a mix of textures and tastes. Either works fine; the choice depends on what you enjoy most.
