This Italian Rice Salad is a vibrant, flavorful medley of cherry tomatoes, salty prosciutto, sweet peas, and fluffy rice, all brought together with a tangy homemade vinaigrette. It’s the perfect side dish that breaks away from the usual pasta or potato salads. Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering or just want something light and unique for lunch or dinner, this salad is a must-try. It’s also easily customizable to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon ground pepper

• 4 cups cooked long-grain rice*

• 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes

• ¾ cup frozen peas

• 1 ounce (about ¼ cup) chopped sliced prosciutto

• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

• ¼ cup julienned fresh basil leaves (plus more for garnish)

*You can prepare your rice however you like. Microwavable rice bags work well for convenience.

Directions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.

2. In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, cherry tomatoes, peas, prosciutto, parmesan, and basil.

3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to combine.

4. Let the salad rest for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrients

• Calories: 332 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 63 g

• Protein: 7 g

• Fat: 5 g

• Saturated Fat: 1 g

• Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g

• Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g

• Trans Fat: 0.004 g

• Cholesterol: 4 mg

• Sodium: 301 mg

• Potassium: 161 mg

• Fiber: 2 g

• Sugar: 2 g

• Vitamin A: 211 IU

• Vitamin C: 8 mg

• Calcium: 50 mg

• Iron: 1 mg

Preparation Time, Cooking Time, and Yield

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Resting Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: Serves 4 to 6
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired

This dish is wonderfully quick to make, especially when using pre-cooked or leftover rice. In less than 40 minutes, you’ll have a vibrant, crowd-pleasing side ready to serve.

Why You’ll Love This Italian Rice Salad

There’s so much to appreciate about this rice salad. It’s visually stunning, easy to prepare, and packed with a combination of fresh, savory, and tangy notes. If you’re tired of the same old pasta or potato salads, this dish is a welcome change. The rice base makes it more filling while keeping it light and digestible. The prosciutto offers a salty, umami punch, while peas bring in natural sweetness. Cherry tomatoes provide a juicy pop of freshness, and parmesan gives the dish a rich, nutty finish. Finally, the vinaigrette ties everything together with a hint of acidity and brightness, making every bite taste balanced and refreshing.

Health Benefits

This rice salad is not only delicious—it’s also filled with nutritional goodness. The rice provides complex carbohydrates, which serve as a steady source of energy. Green peas are a great source of fiber, protein, and essential vitamins like Vitamin C and K. Cherry tomatoes contribute antioxidants, especially lycopene, which supports heart health. Fresh basil contains anti-inflammatory properties and adds a natural herbal depth. Even the olive oil in the vinaigrette has heart-healthy fats, and balsamic vinegar helps regulate blood sugar levels. When enjoyed in moderation, this dish is both satisfying and beneficial to your overall wellness.

Customizations and Substitutions

One of the best features of this salad is its adaptability. You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary requirements. For a vegetarian version, simply omit the prosciutto or substitute it with marinated artichokes or olives for a similar salty depth. If you prefer a protein boost, grilled chicken, canned tuna, or hard-boiled eggs make excellent additions. You can also swap white rice for brown rice, quinoa, or even farro to increase the fiber and nutritional value. Cheese lovers might enjoy adding chunks of mozzarella or crumbled feta for a twist. Want more veggies? Throw in roasted zucchini, red peppers, or arugula.

Tips for Making the Best Italian Rice Salad

Use cold or room temperature rice to avoid clumping and ensure the dressing coats each grain evenly. If using freshly cooked rice, let it cool completely before assembling the salad. You can also spread it on a baking sheet to cool faster. When making the vinaigrette, be sure to whisk until it’s fully emulsified so that each bite of salad gets an even distribution of flavor. Letting the salad rest for 20 minutes is key—it gives the ingredients time to absorb the vinaigrette and meld together beautifully. Lastly, don’t skip the fresh basil. It elevates the entire dish with its bright, aromatic flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This salad shines on its own but also pairs beautifully with a variety of main dishes. Serve it alongside grilled meats such as chicken, steak, or sausages at your next barbecue. It also works well with seafood—think grilled shrimp or baked salmon. As a vegetarian entrée, it can be served over a bed of mixed greens or stuffed into bell peppers. Planning a picnic or potluck? This rice salad travels well and tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge. You can even meal-prep it in individual containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Italian Rice Salad is ideal for making ahead. In fact, the flavor deepens as it sits, making it a perfect candidate for preparing a day in advance. Simply store the finished salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. If you’re making this salad for an event, you can also prep all the components—rice, vinaigrette, and chopped veggies—ahead of time and assemble them the day you plan to serve it. For best results, give the salad a quick toss before serving to redistribute the dressing.

Is This Salad Kid-Friendly?

Yes, this salad can be surprisingly appealing to children. The sweetness of the peas and cherry tomatoes combined with the familiar taste of rice makes it approachable for young palates. If your kids are not fans of prosciutto or parmesan, you can adjust those ingredients or offer them on the side. Turning it into a “build-your-own bowl” can also make the dish more interactive and fun for little eaters. Encouraging them to try new herbs like basil can even foster a love for fresh flavors early on.

Variations by Season

While this recipe is perfect for summer with its juicy tomatoes and fresh basil, it can be adapted for any season. In the fall, swap tomatoes for roasted squash or sweet potatoes and use sage or thyme instead of basil. During the winter, consider adding sun-dried tomatoes, canned beans, or roasted root vegetables to keep the salad hearty. Come spring, celebrate seasonal greens by mixing in baby spinach, asparagus tips, or snap peas. The base remains flexible, allowing you to rotate ingredients based on what’s fresh and in season.

Conclusion

Italian Rice Salad is more than just a side dish—it’s a celebration of texture, flavor, and versatility. With just a few simple ingredients, this dish delivers vibrant Mediterranean-inspired goodness in every bite. Whether you’re preparing it for a family meal, a party, or your weekly lunch lineup, it’s guaranteed to impress. It’s easily customizable, nutritious, and satisfying while still being light enough for warm-weather dining. The zesty vinaigrette adds just the right tang to bring all the ingredients together, making it a dish that everyone will come back to again and again. Try it once, and you’ll likely find yourself reaching for this recipe whenever you crave something fresh, flavorful, and effortlessly delicious.