
15 mins
4 People
307 Cals
About the recipe
Crispy, cheesy pizza croutons tossed with a fresh Italian-style saladIf you love pizza and you love salad, this recipe gives you the best of both worlds. My Pizza Salad is a fresh, feel-good way to enjoy all the flavours of a classic pizza while getting plenty of vibrant greens and vegetables onto your plate. Think golden, crispy chunks of bread baked with tomato, mozzarella and oregano — then tossed through a bright, crunchy salad with basil, olives and a simple parmesan dressing. It’s comforting, satisfying and surprisingly nourishing.This recipe is also a clever way to use up leftover bread. Stale sourdough or gluten-free bread transforms into irresistible “pizza croutons” once baked with tomatoes and cheese. Paired with crisp lettuce, peppery rocket and a zesty dressing, it becomes a light yet hearty meal that’s perfect for lunch, a casual dinner or entertaining.Naturally family-friendly and endlessly adaptable, you can add prosciutto, chickpeas or creamy ricotta for extra protein. It’s everything you love about pizza — just fresher, lighter and packed with goodness.
Nutrition Per Serving
307
Calories
16g
Fat
4g
Saturates
6g
Sugars
473mg
Salt
13g
Protein
27g
Carbs
5g
Fibre
Ingredients
Pizza Croutons
- 200 g leftover bread cut into chunks (sourdough or gluten-free) steamed cauliflower if low carb
- 250 ml chopped peeled tomatoes from a can
- 120 g baby Roma tomatoes halved
- 30 g mozzarella ricotta also works beautifully
- 15 g parmesan grated
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salad
- 2 baby cos lettuce finely chopped
- Handful rocket leaves
- 120 g baby Roma tomatoes halved
- 2 spring onions sliced
- 20 g black olives pitted and chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 large handful fresh basil leaves
Embellishments (optional)
- Prosciutto - Chickpeas - Ricotta
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons verjuice or lemon juice
- ½ –1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
- 10 g parmesan finely grated
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons sticky balsamic to drizzle on top
Method
- PREHEAT your oven to 220°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- ARRANGE the bread chunks on the tray, spoon over the chopped tomatoes, then scatter with mozzarella, parmesan, fresh tomatoes and dried oregano.
- BAKE for 12–15 minutes, or until the bread is golden and crisp and the cheese has melted.
- COMBINE the cos lettuce, rocket, tomatoes, spring onions, olives, oregano and basil in a large bowl.
- WHISK together the verjuice, Dijon mustard, olive oil, maple or honey and parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- POUR the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- REMOVE the hot pizza croutons from the oven.
- PILE the salad over the top of the croutons.
- DRIZZLE with sticky balsamic - it's delicious
- FINISH with extra parmesan and any embellishments you love — prosciutto, chickpeas or ricotta are all delicious.
- SERVE immediately while the croutons are warm and crisp. Perfect for sharing.
Notes & Inspiration
This salad is inspired by everything we love about pizza — sweet tomato, bubbling cheese, oregano and crusty bread — but served in a lighter, brighter way. It’s perfect when you want something comforting yet still feel-good and nourishing.
Stale bread is ideal here. Once baked with tomato and cheese it becomes golden, crisp and full of flavour — like little pizza toasts scattered through the salad. Sourdough gives the best texture, but any bread (including gluten-free) works beautifully.
Need low carb? Lightly steam the cauliflower first before adding on the toppings, or alternatively roast cauliflower florets in the oven until golden, then in the last 8 minutes add the tomato sauce and cheese..it's delicious.
Turn this into a more substantial lunch or dinner by adding: Torn prosciutto or grilled chicken - A handful of chickpeas or white beans - Creamy ricotta or Anchovies for a classic Italian touch
Serve on a big platter with the warm pizza croutons nestled through the salad. It’s casual, generous and perfect for long lunches, summer dinners or a relaxed gathering with friends.
This is one of those recipes everyone loves — pizza lovers, salad lovers and anyone who wants something comforting but still packed with greens. Serve it in a big bowl and let everyone dig in.


