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30 Minutes or Less

La Scala Chopped Salad aka “The Kardashian Salad”

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close-up overhead image of la scala chopped salad

I found myself in a salad rut recently. While I LOVE my buffalo chicken salad, it was getting kinda old. So I switched things up this week and added this La Scala chopped salad into the rotation, along with another reader fave, the Jennifer Aniston salad. I simply assemble the salad, portion it into four containers, then store the dressing separately – and it’s been awesome having a quick and easy lunch ready to go every day of the week!

If it’s good enough for a Kardashian, then it’s good enough for me! That’s my motto when it comes to this salad. While I haven’t personally been able to try the original La Scala chopped salad, I scoured the internet for the exact ingredients and recipe to bring you this incredibly delicious replica. It’s fresh, crunchy, full of flavor, and super easy to make. I just know you’re going to love it!

overhead image of la scala chopped salad in a bowl with parmesan cheese on the side.

What You’ll Need to Make the La Scala Chopped Salad

Lettuce – Any crunchy lettuce will work! La Scala uses iceberg lettuce, but I prefer romaine (it has more flavor, in my opinion). Whatever lettuce you use, chop it into small pieces – just like La Scala does!

Chickpeas – Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas, then add to your salad. Chickpeas offer a nice bit of protein to this easy lunch recipe. However, if you don’t have chickpeas, feel free to use any white bean you’d like. Navy beans or cannelloni beans would also taste great!

Italian Salami – Chopped Italian salami adds so much flavor to La Scala’s chopped salad. I recommend using deli salami, and slicing it into strips. Or, you can buy a whole salami, then fully slice it yourself! For a vegetarian/meatless salad, simply leave the salami out.

Mozzarella Cheese – Fresh shredded mozzarella is best, but pre-shredded works as well!

dressing being poured over la scala chopped salad.

Tips and Tricks

  • To meal prep this salad, simply make the salad and divide it between four containers. Then, whisk together the dressing and store separately. When ready to eat, pour dressing over your salad and enjoy!
  • This La Scala chopped salad is gluten-free! However, if you want a little extra crunch, a small handful of croutons makes a delicious addition to this salad.
  • This “Kardashian” salad recipe is also great for a crowd! Toss together in a big bowl, then bring it to your next potluck or dinner party. Everyone will go crazy for this hearty and oh-so satisfying side dish!
la scala chopped salad in a bowl with a fork.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Vegan: For a completely plant-based La Scala salad, simply leave out the salami and swap the cheeses for your favorite vegan cheeses. I love Myoko’s Cashew Milk Mozzarella and Violife’s Vegan Parmesan Cheese!

Make it Dairy-Free: Similar to the vegan options, either swap out the cheeses for your favorite non-dairy cheeses, or leave them out of this salad recipe altogether.

La Scala Chopped Salad aka "The Kardashian Salad"
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La Scala Chopped Salad aka “The Kardashian Salad”

3 from 72 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: MainDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

10

minutes

The La Scala chopped salad is widely known as a Kardashian favorite – and it’ll quickly become your favorite, too! Super quick and easy to make, with only a handful of simple ingredients. Make this famous Los Angeles salad at home in just 5 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 head lettuce, finely chopped (iceberg, romaine, etc.)

  • 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

  • 1/2 pound Italian salami, chopped

  • 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese

  • For the dressing:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil

  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions

  • Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl and toss.
  • Add all dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine.
  • Drizzle dressing over salad right before serving.

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Appetizers

Pizza Smashed Potatoes

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close-up overhead image of pizza smashed potatoes with oregano.

Irresistibly crispy pizza smashed potatoes! I took two of my favorite food groups and combined them into one delicious appetizer. Fun and easy to make, with only a handful of simple ingredients!

overhead image of pizza smashed potatoes on a baking sheet.

What You’ll Need to Make Pizza Smashed Potatoes

Baby Potatoes – These adorable little spuds come in all sorts of colors and shapes, and really any will work in this recipe. When selecting your baby potatoes, I recommend grabbing a bag that all look pretty similar in size, to ensure they roast up evenly! I used these to make my pizza smashed potatoes, and they were delicious.

Pizza Sauce – Either homemade or store-bought pizza sauce works! I used store-bought canned pizza sauce, to make this recipe extra quick and easy. But, if you’re up for the task, go ahead and whip up a homemade sauce – I’ll cheer you on!

Grated Cheese – Mozzarella cheese is the most common pizza topping, but there are plenty of other tasty options out there! I used a freshly grated goat cheese with a lower lactose content, because I’m sensitive to dairy. But feel free to use any kind of grated cheese you’d like! A freshly grated parmesan, provolone, or pecorino romano all taste amazing!

pizza smashed potatoes on a plate with beer on the side.

Tips and Tricks

  • Avoid over-boiling your baby potatoes in the first step. Over-boiling/cooking will make them too soft, and they won’t hold their shape when smashed. Therefore, boil potatoes until just fork tender, then strain!
  • You can make these pizza smashed potatoes in the air fryer! To do that, follow the recipe up to the point of roasting. Then, instead of roasting them in the oven, cook them in the air fryer at 400° Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
  • Prep this recipe ahead of time, then pop it in the oven 20 minutes before serving! This is a great game day, potluck, or dinner party app. It’s super hands off, and everyone LOVES them!
holding up a pizza smashed poatoes.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Vegan/Dairy-Free: For vegan pizza smashed potatoes, replace the cheese with your favorite vegan/non-dairy cheese. Or, sprinkle with nutritional yeast and leave the cheese out altogether!

Pizza Smashed Potatoes
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Pizza Smashed Potatoes

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: AppetizersDifficulty: Easy
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

45

minutes
Total time

50

minutes

Irresistibly crispy pizza smashed potatoes! I took two of my favorite food groups and combined them into one delicious appetizer. Fun and easy to make, with only a handful of simple ingredients!

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds baby potatoes

  • salt, to taste

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/2 cup pizza sauce

  • 1 cup grated cheese (parmesan, asiago, provolone, mozzarella, etc.)

  • pinch of dried oregano

Directions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add in a big pinch of salt and the potatoes. Boil potatoes for about 15-20 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork.
  • Preheat oven to 425° Fahrenheit.
  • Drain potatoes from water and let cool slightly, then transfer to a large baking sheet. Use a bowl, mug, or a heavy glass to smash each potato until they’re about ¼-inch thick.
  • Drizzle potatoes with olive oil, then sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
  • Remove potatoes from oven and top each smashed potato with about 2 teaspoons of sauce and a tablespoon of grated cheese. Then, finish each potato off with a sprinkling of dried oregano, and roast for an additional 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days! To reheat, either microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or put them back in the oven for 5-7 minutes.

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30 Minutes or Less

Brussels Sprout Salad

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overhead image of brussels sprout salad with walnuts and pomegranate seeds on the side.

Fresh and crunchy shaved Brussels sprout salad, finished off with an out-of-this-world maple dijon dressing! A quick and easy side dish, comes together in just 10 minutes. A gluten-free salad, with nut-free and vegan options!

brussels sprout salad in a a bowl with serving utensils.

What You’ll Need to Make Brussels Sprout Salad

Brussels Sprouts – You can either buy shaved Brussels sprouts, or shave them yourself with a mandoline or sharp knife. If using a mandoline, cut off the the stem end of each sprout, then run the sprout down the mandoline to thinly slice. Or, if using a knife, remove the stem end then place the sprout on its side on a cutting board, then make thin slices through the sprout. Once shaved, your sprouts are ready to add to this delicious salad!

Pomegranate Arils/Seeds – First thing I want to note is that pomegranate arils are the exact same thing as pomegranate seeds. When buying your pomegranate for this salad, you have two options, you can either purchase the seeds out of the pomegranate, or you can purchase a whole pomegranate and remove the seeds yourself. I always opt for the latter option because it’s so much cheaper, and super easy to do! For help on how to cut a pomegranate, check out my step-by-step tutorial HERE.

Walnuts – Chopped walnuts add the perfect crunch to this recipe! Walnuts are creamy and buttery, and simply so good in this salad. However, if you don’t have walnuts, feel free to use any nut you have on-hand! Others I recommend are pine nuts, chopped pecans, or even unsalted pumpkin seeds.

Soft Cheese – Any soft cheese will taste great in this Brussels sprout salad! I used a soft chèvre goat cheese, and it was perfectly tangy and delicious. Though crumbled feta, blue cheese, or even freshly grated parmesan cheese work perfectly too.

dressing being poured over brussels sprout salad.

Tips and Tricks

  • This is the perfect make-ahead side dish for holiday parties or potlucks! The flavors get better with time, so go ahead and dress the salad then let it sit in the fridge until ready to serve. I just wouldn’t recommend letting it sit for more than 4 hours before eating, at that point, it’ll begin to lose its crunch.
  • Have fun with this recipe! Don’t be shy, switch up ingredients based on your preferences. Sub pears for the apples, blueberries for the pomegranate, and use any kind of cheese you’d like!
close-up image of brussels sprout salad in a bowl.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Vegan: For a vegan Brussels sprout salad, either replace the cheese with your favorite vegan soft “cheese,” or leave the cheese out altogether, it’ll still be delicious and full of flavor!

Make it Nut-Free: Simply leave out the walnuts, or replace them with unsalted pumpkin or sunflower seeds.

Add Protein: Take this from a side dish to the main course by adding some lightly seasoned chicken (grilled or oven-roasted is best), or bulk it up with a can of your favorite white beans!

Brussels Sprout Salad
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Brussels Sprout Salad

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: SidesDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

10

minutes

Fresh and crunchy shaved Brussels sprout salad, finished off with an out-of-this-world maple dijon dressing! A quick and easy side dish, comes together in just 10 minutes. A gluten-free salad, with nut-free and vegan options!

Ingredients

  • For the salad:

  • 4 cups thinly sliced Brussels sprouts

  • 1 apple, thinly sliced

  • 1/2 cup pomegranate arils (seeds)

  • 1/3 cup walnuts, roughly chopped (pecans or pine nuts work too!)

  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries

  • 1/4 cup soft cheese, crumbled (goat cheese, feta, gorgonzola, etc)

  • For the dressing:

  • 1/3 cup olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

  • Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl and toss.
  • Add all dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine.
  • Pour dressing over salad, then either let sit in fridge for up to 3 hours, or serve immediately.

Recipe Video

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30 Minutes or Less

Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato

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air fryer baked potato in an air fryer basket with butter and chives on top.

Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside – PERFECT air fryer baked potato! Three ingredients, a few simple steps, and 30 minutes is all this easy air fryer recipe requires. This foolproof method yields flawless baked potatoes every time.

close-up overhead image of an air fryer baked potato with butter and chives on top.

What You’ll Need to Make an Air Fryer Baked Potato

Russet Potato – Four medium russet potatoes fit comfortably in most air fryer baskets. Start by scrubbing and rinsing each potato well before cooking. Potatoes grow literally IN the dirt, so they’re pretty filthy and should be washed thoroughly!

Oil – Olive or avocado oil work best, but really any kind of oil will cook your air fryer baked potato to perfection! The only rule here is to really lather up each potato in oil, this’ll guarantee an ultra-crispy skin.

Salt – Plenty (and I meant plenty) of salt! Cover each potato in a large pinch of salt before cooking. Since salt is the only seasoning here, it’s important to use it liberally.

overhead image of a loaded air fryer baked potato with chives on the side.

Tips and Tricks

  • Pierce each potato all over with a fork before cooking! This’ll create vent holes in your potato, ensuring it cooks perfectly and evenly all the way through.
  • Enjoy your air fryer baked potato however you’d like. For a loaded baked potato, check out the section below!
  • Store leftover baked potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply pop in the microwave for 1 minute, or back into the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400° Fahrenheit.
a loaded air fryer baked potato with sour cream, bacon, and chives on top.

Make a Loaded Air Fryer Baked Potato

For a loaded air fryer baked potato, add…

  • Butter
  • Shredded Cheese
  • Chives
  • Sour Cream
  • Black Pepper
  • Crispy Bacon
  • & anything else your heart desires!

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Vegan: If you’re looking to jazz up this recipe the vegan way, top your baked potato with vegan butter, vegan sour cream, and a sprinkling of nutritional yeast – YUM!

Make it Dairy-Free: For a dairy-free air fryer baked potato, top it with a drizzle of olive oil instead of butter, the result is just as creamy and delicious.

Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato
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Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: SidesDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

35

minutes
Total time

40

minutes

Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside – PERFECT air fryer baked potato! Three ingredients, a few simple steps, and 30 minutes is all this easy air fryer recipe requires. This foolproof method yields flawless baked potatoes every time.

Ingredients

  • 4 medium russet potatoes, washed well then dried

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, or avocado oil

  • salt, to taste

Directions

  • Pierce each potato with a fork all over its surface.
  • Rub each potato with oil, then sprinkle all over with a generous pinch of salt.
  • Place potatoes in air fryer basket, then cook at 400° Fahrenheit for 35 minutes, flipping potatoes halfway through cooking.
  • Remove potatoes from air fryer basket, slice down the center and split each potato open exposing the inside flesh. Top with butter, shredded cheese, sour cream, chives, crispy bacon, additional salt, and black pepper.

Recipe Video

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