Pizza Salad – Barefeet in the Kitchen

Pizza and salad might sound like total opposites, one’s cheesy, gooey, and indulgent, while the other is light, crisp, and refreshing. But put them together? You’ve got the best of both worlds in one bowl.

My love for big green salads has no limits, and I’ve been known to transform all kinds of comfort food into my kind of salad. I’m laughably known for my Fritos-Every-Day-Diet, as corn chips are my salad topping of choice most days.

Street tacos meet the Big Green Salad in this Carnitas Salad Bowl that I can’t get enough of lately. Crunchy lettuce is layered with juicy carnitas, tomatoes, avocado, onions, corn, beans, and cheese, then topped with a squeeze of lime. While I’m a huge fan of homemade salad dressings, this salad is so flavorful I just squeeze a lime over the top and finish with a sprinkling of salt and pepper.

This BLT Salad is fully loaded with crunchy romaine lettuce, sweet tomatoes and fresh corn, salty bacon, rich and creamy avocado slices, cubed cheddar cheese, crunchy croutons, and the perfect ranch dressing.

BBQ chicken salad with sweet potato fries has become one of my favorite lunches over the past couple of years. This is a cold garden salad tossed with warm and saucy barbecue chicken, then topped with crisp, hot sweet potato fries.

All the awesomeness of the popular grinder sandwich is tossed into this salad with crunchy greens, juicy tomatoes, and a medley of meats and cheeses. Then it’s drizzled with a delicious creamy dressing to make this Italian grinder salad.

Pizza Salad

Fresh garden salad is topped with warm and cheesy pizza “croutons” for a fun and totally satisfying twist on pizza night. It’s playful, delicious, and as much fun to eat as it is to make. Leftover pizza has never had it so good.

If you’ve never tried pizza croutons before, you’re in for a treat. Imagine your favorite slice with its crispy crust, melty cheese, and favorite toppings. Then picture it cut into bite-sized pieces that add a little crunch, a little chew, and a whole lot of happiness to your salad.

If I say so myself, this is a genius way to use up leftover pizza (if that ever happens in your house!) or an excuse to stash an extra slice or two for future salad making before the kids devour it all.

If you’ve ever needed proof that salad doesn’t have to be boring (and maybe even that pizza can, in fact, be a little bit healthy), you’re welcome. Because honestly, why choose between pizza and salad when you can have both in one bite?