Roasted Vegetable Salad (Printable)

Tender roasted vegetables paired with fresh greens and tangy balsamic dressing for a vibrant dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced into ½-inch rounds
02 - 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped into 1-inch pieces
03 - 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped 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 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (thyme, oregano, basil blend)
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Greens

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

→ Dressing

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

→ Optional Garnish

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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the zucchini, bell peppers, red onion, eggplant, and cherry tomatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Toss until evenly coated.
03 - Spread the vegetables in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until vegetables are 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 salad greens on a large serving platter or individual plates and top with warm or room-temperature roasted vegetables.
06 - Drizzle with prepared balsamic dressing and garnish with toasted pine nuts and cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The warm roasted vegetables create this incredible sweet-savory contrast against cool greens and tangy dressing.
  • It comes together in under an hour and tastes just as good cold the next day, making it perfect for meal prep.
  • You can eat it as-is or add grilled chicken, fish, or chickpeas depending on your mood.
02 -
  • Don't skip stirring halfway through roasting—the vegetables closest to the back of the oven will brown faster than those in front, and mixing them prevents burnt edges and uncooked centers.
  • The dressing tastes flat when cold, so taste and season it boldly once all ingredients are mixed, then adjust again right before serving.
  • Room-temperature vegetables work just as well as warm ones if you're making this ahead, but if you chill them completely, let them come back to room temperature for 10 minutes before serving so you taste the flavors fully.
03 -
  • If your roasted vegetables taste a little bland, the problem is usually temperature—a hotter oven (450°F) creates more caramelization and deeper flavor in less time.
  • Make the dressing in the bowl you'll toss the greens in, then just add the greens and toss, it saves a dish and the flavors meld as you mix.
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