Last night’s dinner called for a fresh Italian salad and lasagna. I let Stouffer’s make the lasagna, and I concentrated on the salad while it oven-baked.
Normally, I stink at taking the time to prepare a salad that’s not the actual entree itself. I’m not sure why I’m so lazy-dazy about that because I grew up having salad and fresh fruit or veggies with each and every meal.
Mom, what happened to me?
I’m gonna try to be a better girl… starting now.
I know that my mom wasn’t just giving us salad because she was cruel. She was actually trying to ensure her meals, frozen or otherwise, included fruits, veggies, whole grains and low-fat dairy… in other words, balance.
I rely on frozen prepared foods a heck of a lot because I’m pooped at the end of the day. Plus now it’s dark at dinnertime, and I hate cooking in the dark!
Therefore I present to you the Stouffer’s Lasagna with Meat and Sauce I made last night.
Avec salade.
Stouffer’s Lasagna with Meat and Sauce is a great way to make a quality meal at home without having to start from scratch. It’s made with hand layered pasta and vine-ripened tomatoes and it’s topped with fresh mozzarella and aged parmesan cheese.
Although it can be prepared in the oven or the microwave, listen to me and bake it in the oven. I personally feel it’s much better that way.
And remember to balance your plate by adding a simple salad (my fresh Italian salad being the obvious choice). Dinner is served!
Fresh Italian Salad
Ingredients
Fresh Italian Salad
- 1 head green leaf lettuce washed
- 1 head romaine lettuce washed
- 1 5 oz bag baby spinach washed
- 1/2 red onion sliced in half moons
- 6 oz can black olives
- 1 cucumber peeled and sliced in rounds
- 8 oz jar roasted red pepper strips
- 1 10- oz jar marinated mushrooms
- 1 6.5 oz jar artichoke hearts
- 4 oz. Fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
- 1 pint grape tomatoes
- Basil leaves
- 2 Tbsp shredded parmesan cheese
Fresh Olive Oil Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp chopped basil
- 1 tsp oregano fresh or flakes
Instructions
- Line around inside of bowl with leaf lettuce. Chop remaining leaf lettuce and romaine lettuce and fill bowl with it.
- Line spinach leaves in a circular fashion over top of lettuce.
- Layer red onions in circular pattern around bowl. Follow with olives,cucumber slices, and roasted red pepper strips.
- Put marinated mushrooms in center. Sprinkle artichoke hearts around mushrooms.
- Place mozzarella slices in a circle around mushrooms and artichokes, and place a grape tomato between each of the cheese slices. Chop a few tomatoes in half and place around olives in center.
- Garnish salad with fresh basil leaves and Parmesan cheese.
Olive Oil Vinaigrette
- Whisk together all ingredients and serve on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
Liz Latham says
I love that you had lasagna in the photo with it because that’s what I was thinking it would go great with! Thanks for linking up with delicious dishes recipe party!
Linda Bass says
Yum! I would like to invite you to come share this at the new Share the Love blog party. Hope you can make it.
Leigh says
This sounds perfect!
Autumn @Mamachallenge says
That salad looks great! It would make a perfect side dish for any dinner.
Angela says
Yummy pasta and a fresh salad is my kind of meal. I could eat like this every day of the week and not tire of it.
Maggie Lydon says
What a beautiful salad! It is so colorful and healthy. I love that you took the time to make the presentation of the salad attractive.
andi says
that’s the kind of salad that i would probably enjoy with all the Italian food i like 😀
Melinda@LookWhatMomFound...andDadtoo says
i love adding roasted red peppers to my salads. I feel they are so strongly flavored they can take the place of some of the dressing. this salad is gorgeous, very appetizing to look at which is the first step in eating
Seattle Travel Blogger says
We have a Stouffers Lasagna once every other week at our house. Love this salad recipe to go with it!
Lisa Rios says
Both me & my husband love Italian recipes so much & the salad looks absolutely delicious & healthy. I just love how the presentation is finally done, a wonderful way to present during a home party.
Shaney Vijendranath says
Wouldn’t mind a big bowl of this right now. It’s so hot in South Africa and salads is all I want to eat.
Sojourner says
Your salad looks lovely! I try to eat fresh fruit with every lunch meal and a fresh multi colored salad with every dinner in addition to whatever cooked green goodies are on the menu. It’s a great way to ensure that you’re eating a balanced and nutritious meal.
Emma Spellman says
That salad is definitely the star of the show. I am going to try this soon!
Claudia Krusch says
Yummmm! I love olives and artichokes, basically everything in your salad!
Shaylee says
Yum! I love olives and artichokes! Thanks for this great salad recipe!
Crystal Lopez says
This looks absolutely amazing and all of these ingredientsare so flavorful. I love salad of any kind!
Yolanda @ Seeing It Their Way says
Ok, this is the most beautiful salad I have ever seen! We eat salad quite frequently and its still like pulling teeth to get my youngest to eat it. May have to serve it more often.
Shell says
Your salad looks so good! I really should put more effort into my salads.
Up Run for Life says
This looks delicious. I love that it is fairly low cal with the exception of the dressing. Of course, you could modify it easily to fit your needs too.
Veronica says
Please invite me over next time. Looks so yummy
rika says
Yum… this fresh Italian Salad looks amazing! I want to try this recipe tonight
Rebecca Swenor says
This fresh italian salad looks so good and would go great with any pasta dish. It is important to have a well balanced dinner I believe. I will have to try this recipe.
Rebecca says
Um, My salads have never looked this good! Yours looks very yummy!
Melissa says
We eat salads at my home at least 5 times a week, they never look this good though.
Dogvills says
The salad is so pretty and colorful. I would love to try this.
April G says
Italian salad is the best. There is a great mix of really good vegetables in this lineup. Yum.
Janis @MommyBlogExpert says
Liz, your salad looks so fresh and appetizing. I’m a huge salad fan so I also pinned this to MommyBlogExpert’s Vegan & Vegetarian Pinterest board.
Censie says
Literally my favorite dinner. Salad and any kind of Italian pasta! soooo good!
Dina Demarest says
Your salad looks amazing! I rely on frozen foods a lot also and a fresh salad is perfect to balance out the meal.
Angie Scheie says
I feel ya! We always had a salad or side of veggies or fruit with our dinners growing up, and I just get lazy and most times skip it! I like salads too, just plain tired! Your presentation of that salad is beautiful 🙂
Janell says
Oh I’m going to make this for lunch tomorrow. It’s so light and yummy looking!
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
I love a delicious salad with tasty dressing! It’s one of my favorite lunches!
Digna says
I love salads but right now with this autumn weather I have been craving carbs like the Stouffer’s lasagna! Yum!
Ann BAcciaglia says
I am trying to eat more salads and this looks like a great one to add to my list. I tend to eat the same salad every day.
Rachelle says
Oh my goodness that salad looks so yummy! And what a perfect side to go with lasagna!
Jasmine Watts says
Yumm it looks so amazing and healthy too!! Thanks for sharing!!
Farrah says
This looks delicious! I really miss lasagna since going gluten free. I always loved lasagna, ssalad, and breadsticks. Maybe Stouffer’s will make gluten free options in the future.
Claudette says
This looks so good! I am slowly getting into salads and they have to be eye-catching like this one!
Kelly Hutchinson says
I jus tlove a salad packed with fresh veggies and protein It makes the perfect pairing for the lasagna.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
Looks like a nice delicious healthy quick meal for those busy nights! My family would enjoy it!
Chubskulit Rose says
We had lasagna on Veteran’s day too. That salad looks very good, I can have a plate of that and be done for the day, lol.
Maggie Branch says
That is a beautiful salad! I never can quite get my salad presentation just right but this is aesthetically pleasing and healthy! Yum!
Mama to 5 BLessings says
That’s what we had for dinner last night salad and lasagna! Your salad looks SO much better than mine did!
Jeni Hawkins says
This looks AWESOME! I’m totally making this for lunch today. Thank you!
Lauren says
If all salads looks that good, I’d eat more of them! ha
Lexie Lane says
A very healthy and hearty salad meal! Now I feel hungry and wanting to try making one for myself 🙂
Carol Bryant says
WOW do you do a fab job with images and now you have me drooling at 1 am lol – I have to try this and that salad looks divine!
Chasing Joy says
Beautiful Salad. Your mom did you a huge favor with those salads and fresh fruits along with all of your meals.
Shelley Zurek says
I’ll be right over to have some of that salad. Make sure to save me a slice of stouffer’s Lasagna my fav!
Aubrey says
I love their lasagna. That salad looks awesome too.
vidya sudarsan says
Salad and lasagne looks so yummy! both are my favorite items.. 🙂
Diana Elizabeth says
Stouffer’s lasagna is my absolute favorite!!!!!!!! Adding a fresh salad is a nice balance. I love that you added basil leaves to your salad, yum!
Danielle says
This looks yummy! I love salads and if it’s not the main entree, my salads usually only consist of lettuce and dressing. I need to do better about my “side salads.”
Kristin says
That salad looks so yummy. I Love a good fresh salad with pasta. Nice share.
tiaras and tantrums says
I love a big huge salad with most of my meals. It keeps me from eating too much of everything else! Thankfully, my kids ll love salads too!
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
I love Stouffer’s Lasagna. Especially the Italiano Lasagna,
Kristen says
wow that meal looks really good.
Brandi @ penguinsinpink.com says
This salad looks amazing. I love how light and fresh it is, perfect for lasagna. And I bet the leftovers were great for lunch!
Lexie Lane says
I haven’t tried this yet, looks yummy and easy to do. I love eating fresh salad.
Kendra says
I love that you used artichoke hearts in your salad! It always gives it a little bit more flavor!
Shauna says
Oh my goodness, how delicious. I love adding artichoke hearts to salads. Thanks so much for this. Sounds amazing
Stacie says
Your salad looks so pretty and I’m always looking for a new recipe to try. Stouffer’s entrees are great when you don’t have to prepare a meal from scratch.
Jessica Harlow says
This looks like a great weeknight meal that would be tasty! I love that you added artichoke hearts to your salad!
Amanda says
I often forget to be sure I’m serving a balanced meal too!
Chanelle says
This salad looks delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Amber NElson says
Salad and lasagna is the best. That sounds so good!
Tonya C says
Your photos are awesome! Totally makes me want that salad now! Thanks for the recipe.
Mimi says
That salad looks delicious. It pairs perfectly with lasagna. My hubby keeps asking me to make some lasagna for him, but I don’t always have time when I get off work late. This would be the perfect aternative!
Brandy says
I love Italian food, so a fresh Italian Salad may just hit the spot! Will have to make these for a side with dinner one evening.
Rachel Mouton says
This looks delicious! I’m going to try it tomorrow with our pizza 🙂
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
Looks and sound amazing!
Pam says
We have Stouffers Lasanga at least once a month. I couldn’t make it better from scratch and my family loves it! This salad looks amazing and so healthy.
Lorane says
This Salad looks so good and that Lasagna looks delicious. I like how well this dish came together
Emily says
This salad looks amazing! I wish I had all the pieces to throw it together tonight.
Amber NElson says
I agree! I need to make this tomorrow for lunch.
Michelle says
This is like my perfect dinner. I love a great salad and lasagna.
Onica{MommyFactor} says
That look very yummy and it;s nice to eat healthy foods. I’m gonna try this Italian recipe thanks!
Jes says
This slad looks so good! And now I want lasagna!
Lois Alter Mark says
What a gorgeous salad! The colors are so vibrant and fresh looking!
Michele says
I agree–it just says EAT ME!! It looks so darn good and filled with healthy and nutritious veggies!
Jeanine says
I’m not a big salad girl but my kids and husband love them and I would love to make this for them. I bet they’d really enjoy it!
Amber Edwards says
That is a fabulous salad to go with our dinner tonight! I do a lot of freezer type meals since having a new baby, but I’ve struggled getting in the greens because I don’t have much time to be in the kitchen. I love this salad idea though!
Heidi Spears-Gray says
Love salad and pizza combo! It makes a little less guilt for the pizza 🙂
Nikki says
Looks really yummy, I haven’t tied Italian Salad it looks so tempting.
harriet says
Wow- that salad sure looks yummy. I bet that was a fantastic meal!
Krystal says
That looks amazing! I really need to start serving more salads with my pasta dishes!
Adriana Martin says
wow that salad looks amazing lots of good flavors I need a bowl now =)
aimee fauci says
I love mixing my salad with my lasagna. It’s so delicious when the Ranch dressing touches the cheesy lasagna. So good.
Michelle says
that salad looks really yummy
Ora Lee Gurr says
The salad is a work of art. What an awesome way to be sure the meal provides maximum nutrition. Since it’s wintertime, the lasagna provides warmth after the cooler fresh Italian salad. Yum!
Jeanette says
This, I can safely say, would be my sons favorite salad. He actually loves salads, but black olives are his favorite. Going to have to make this one!
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
Oh that looks like a delicious meal. That salad looks so fresh and crisp. Mmm. Thanks for the recipe.
Dina says
that salad looks amazing! I always cook stouffers when I want lasagne.
Top5life says
This looks so delicious. Will try out the recipe for sure.
Ana De- Jesus says
I know how you feel at the end of the day you just want something that is simple and no fuss to make. I am taking your Italian salad recipe it looks heavenly!
Milena says
That is a beautiful salad. I come from a big Italian family. We always had salad at the table.
lisa says
That salad looks so good. We always like to have a salad with any pasta dish but this salad looks good enough for any time!
Pam says
I love a good salad! This one looks like it would be perfect with just about any Italian dish!
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
I could gave written this post! I’m wretched about bringing salad to the table, but I had it all the time as a kid! I need more fixin’s to make it interesting.
Terri Lemere says
I think I could eat this salad every day! And, don’t feel bad – I’m lazy when it comes to cooking too!
Choya says
I love salad with pizza. The salad is light enough to make a perfect start for the heavier pizza.
Jennifer says
That salad looks amazing. My salads never turn out like that. They’re always a huge mess.
Sarah Bailey says
I have to admit I don’t normally go for salads but this sounds delicious – definitely a must try. x
Kristi says
I always try to have salad when we have any sort of pasta or lasagna dish. I think it adds color and yes some more veggies too:)
Anita Breeze says
Your salad looks so colorful and delicious! I would definitely eat something like that for dinner!
Jenna Wood says
I love how light, yet indulgent this salad looks, full of hearty ingredients and textures. What a great compliment to lasagna!
tara pittman says
Now I am hungry for pasta and salad. The salad looks so yummy.
deanna says
That salad looks really yummy. We love that lasagna too!!
Rebecca Bryant says
I am coming to your house fro dinner. This salad looks amazing and so delicious.
Jennifer says
your dish looks amazing. the artichoke hearts in the salad scare me… LOL. I LOVE spinach and artichoke dip but get me around other artichoke and I can’t do it.
Paula Schuck says
There’s nothing better than a big, colorful salad with dinner. It’s good for you, and it makes the meal.
paula schuck says
That salad looks so delicious and fresh too. I enjoy salads but I am also often very unstirred to make them fancy if you know what I mean. I need to keep more ingredients on hand so we can make things like this.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That salad looks so good. I absolutely love all the color in it. A colorful salad is a tasty salad.
Noelle d says
Take the olives off and I am all over that salad. I have recently started adding banana pepper to all my salads. So tasty
Irianto Petrus says
I have never thought that salad and lasagna will give a great combination! worth a try
angie says
we love easy to make meals like this with busy lives Nestle makes t easy to serve up nutritious meals to our family. Put a great side salad with it like the one you shared (by the way will be trying it soon)
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Ourfamilyworld says
Yummy salad. I love a good salad and I can thrive on this, but that lasagna looks mouthwatering.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I am from a big Italian family, so I grew up on lasagna and make it all the time now.
andi says
is it too early in the morning for my mouth to be watering? 😀
Michele says
Stouffer’s Lasagna is delicious. I also grew up with salad, veggies and fruits at dinner time. I don’t make salad very often cause it goes bad too quickly but I still enjoy a salad with my meal when I go out to eat.
Eileen Kelly says
What a yummy meal – I am full yet hungry – thank you for a great recipe
Elizabeth O. says
I love salads, I can eat it for a whole week and not complain! This is a nice combination, I love the contrast. And the recipe is awesome!
Lisa Joy Thompson says
I’m lazy about making salads when they’re not the main entry too. I’m not sure why because they don’t take that long to actually make! You’ve inspired me to up my dinner game! 🙂
Saidah Washington says
Your salad looks delicious and colorful. Whenever I make a salad I always aim to have a lot of color in it that way I know I’m getting a lot of different vegetables
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
We war a lot of salads like this in our house. I think they go with just about anything.
Elizabeth O. says
And you can make so many variations and dressings! So you won’t get tired of having salad around the dining table.