Roasted Vegetable Salad (Printable)

Warm roasted vegetables combined with fresh greens and a tangy balsamic dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced into ½-inch rounds
02 - 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
03 - 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
04 - 1 small red onion, cut into wedges
05 - 1 small eggplant, diced into 1-inch cubes
06 - 8 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 2 tbsp olive oil
08 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Greens

10 - 5 oz mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, or spring mix)

→ Dressing

11 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
13 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
14 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
15 - ½ tsp honey or maple syrup
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Garnish

17 - 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts
18 - Shaved Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese (omit for vegan)

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine zucchini, red and yellow bell peppers, red onion, eggplant, and cherry tomatoes. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Spread vegetables in a single layer on the baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and lightly caramelized.
04 - Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
05 - Arrange mixed greens on a platter or individual plates. Top with warm or room temperature roasted vegetables.
06 - Drizzle the salad with the prepared dressing. Optionally, garnish with toasted pine nuts or walnuts and shaved Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese. Serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The vegetables get sweeter and deeper when roasted, tasting nothing like their raw selves.
  • It works warm right out of the oven or chilled hours later, making it impossibly flexible for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
  • The balsamic dressing ties everything together with just the right amount of tang and richness.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the baking sheet—vegetables need air around them to caramelize, not steam in a pile.
  • The dressing needs the mustard and honey to emulsify properly, so don't skip them even if you think they're optional.
03 -
  • Cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces so everything roasts at the same speed and finishes together.
  • Toast your pine nuts or walnuts in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes just before serving to unlock their deep, nutty flavor.
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