Roasted Vegetable Salad (Printable)

Warm, tender roasted vegetables atop fresh greens with a tangy balsamic dressing.

# Components:

→ 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, cut 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)

# Directions:

01 - Set oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Combine zucchini, bell peppers, red onion, eggplant, and cherry tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and toss until evenly coated.
03 - Spread the vegetables in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 25–30 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 salad greens on a serving platter or individual plates.
06 - Top the greens with warm or room-temperature roasted vegetables.
07 - Drizzle with balsamic dressing and garnish with toasted nuts and cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Roasted vegetables become naturally sweet and caramelized, so you barely need dressing to make it taste incredible.
  • It's flexible enough to serve warm straight from the oven or cool down for lunch the next day without losing character.
  • This is genuinely filling despite being vegetable-forward, so it never feels like you're settling for rabbit food.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the baking sheet—vegetables need space to caramelize, and overcrowding means they'll steam and turn soft instead of golden and sweet.
  • Stir the vegetables halfway through roasting, especially any pieces on the edges, so everything colors evenly and nothing burns.
  • Taste your dressing before dressing the salad and adjust it aggressively—it should taste almost too bold on its own because the greens will dilute it.
03 -
  • Pat vegetables dry before tossing with oil—any excess moisture will steam instead of caramelize, so a quick towel blot makes a real difference.
  • Make the dressing up to three days ahead and store it in a jar; shake it before using and it comes back together perfectly.
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