Crispy Crouton Salad

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 20 min.

Makes

8 servings

Updated: Sep. 22, 2022
Nothing says “summer“ at our house like this unique salad! It’s also a great way to use up fresh basil and tomatoes from the garden. I’ve brought it to many women’s luncheons at church, and it’s still a much-requested favorite. --LaNae Sanchez, Canyon Country, California

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cubed Italian bread
  • 3 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 6 ounces cubed part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 1 medium sweet yellow pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/3 cup minced fresh basil
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons white or brown balsamic vinegar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions

  1. Place bread cubes in a single layer in an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 450° for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown, stirring twice. Cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, mozzarella, yellow pepper and basil. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with croutons.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 205 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 194mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.