Shannon's Italian Spinach Salad

Bright, bold, and bursting with flavor, Shannon's Italian Spinach Salad is the perfect fusion of fresh ingredients and Italian-inspired flair. This quick and easy recipe features a bed of vibrant baby spinach topped with juicy cherry tomatoes, tangy black olives, thinly sliced red onion, creamy mozzarella pearls, and crunchy toasted almonds. Tossed in a homemade balsamic dressing made with olive oil, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey, this salad is a harmonious blend of savory and sweet. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s an ideal dish for a light lunch, elegant appetizer, or a colorful side for any dinner. Packed with nutrients and Mediterranean flavors, this spinach salad is sure to delight your taste buds!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 cups baby spinach
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 0.5 cup black olives
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella pearls
• 0.25 cup sliced almonds
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic
• 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Wash and dry the baby spinach leaves thoroughly. Place them in a large salad bowl.

Step 2

Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and thinly slice the red onion. Add them to the salad bowl.

Step 3

Drain the black olives and slice them if desired. Add to the bowl along with the fresh mozzarella pearls.

Step 4

Toast the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes or until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool, then add them to the salad.

Step 5

In a small mixing bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine, ensuring the ingredients are evenly coated.

Step 7

Serve immediately and enjoy Shannon's Italian Spinach Salad as a refreshing starter or a nutritious main course.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(818.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1378.2

Total Fat 108.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 33.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Cholesterol 127.1mg	0%
Sodium 1784.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 49.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.0g	0%
Total Sugars 26.8g
Protein 56.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1227.9mg	0%
Iron 13.3mg	0%
Potassium 966.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.9%

Protein: 16.1%

Carbs: 14.0%