How Many Calories in a La Scala Salad? Your Guide to Nutritional Facts

December 26, 2025 •

2 min read

Did you know the La Scala chopped salad was famously created in the 1950s for easy eating by glamorous celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor? The answer to how many calories in a La Scala salad depends on the specific recipe, but estimates for popular versions range from approximately 320 to over 550 kcal per serving.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for a La Scala chopped salad varies widely depending on ingredients like salami, cheese, and dressing. Understanding ingredient impact and adjusting portions or substitutions can help manage the nutritional content of this famous Hollywood dish.

Key Points

Calorie Variability: The calorie count depends on the specific recipe and portion size, ranging widely from approximately 320 to over 550 kcal.
Dressing is a Major Factor: The olive oil-based dressing is a significant source of calories; requesting it on the side helps control intake.
Ingredient Impact: High-fat items like salami and cheese add substantial calories to the dish.
Customization for Control: Modifying ingredients, such as using lean protein (turkey vs. salami) and less cheese, can dramatically lower the calorie count.
Homemade Control: Making the salad at home gives you complete control over ingredients and portion size to fit your dietary goals.
Origin Story: The salad was invented in the 1950s by Jean Leon at La Scala restaurant for celebrities who needed an easy-to-eat meal.
Portion Awareness: A typical restaurant portion is often much larger and higher in calories than a standard home-cooked serving.

The Calorie Conundrum: Why Numbers Vary So Much

Determining the exact calorie count for a La Scala salad is not as straightforward as it seems. Since the original recipe from the Beverly Hills restaurant is a closely guarded secret, countless variations and home recipes exist online, each with a different nutritional profile. For example, one recipe might report a serving of 320 calories, while another suggests a single bowl could contain upwards of 550 kcal, highlighting the vast difference between versions. The primary culprits for this calorie fluctuation are the high-calorie add-ins like full-fat cheese, generous servings of salami, and the copious amount of olive oil in the dressing. Portions also play a significant role; a restaurant serving can often be much larger than a homemade portion.

A Closer Look at the Key Ingredients

Here are the typical ingredients found in a La Scala salad:

Iceberg and Romaine lettuce
Chickpeas
Salami or other deli meat
Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese
Olive oil-based dressing
Other items like olives or artichoke hearts

Ingredients like salami, cheese, and the olive oil in the dressing are the primary contributors to the calorie count.

Comparison of La Scala Salad Recipes

Calorie counts for La Scala style salads can vary significantly between recipes. For instance, a hearty version with ample salami, full-fat mozzarella, and lots of dressing can easily exceed 550 kcal, while a lighter version with turkey pepperoni, low-fat cheese, and reduced oil may be closer to 200–300 kcal. Standard home-cooked versions typically fall somewhere in the middle, ranging from 320 to 450 kcal depending on ingredient amounts and portion size.

How to Make a Lighter La Scala Salad

To reduce calories, consider swapping salami for leaner protein like turkey, using less or low-fat cheese, and carefully controlling the amount of dressing, perhaps asking for it on the side. Increasing the volume with more lettuce or other low-calorie vegetables can also help.

The Role of Dressing: A Calorie Catalyst

Olive oil-based dressings are calorie-dense. A tablespoon of olive oil contains about 120 calories. Managing the amount of dressing used is crucial for calorie control.

Conclusion: Enjoying the La Scala Salad Mindfully

The calorie count of a La Scala salad depends largely on ingredient choices and portion size. By making informed substitutions and managing dressing portions, you can create a healthier version of this famous salad. A historical recipe appeared in {Link: Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-04-27-fo-1540-story.html} in 1989.

Frequently Asked Questions

A classic La Scala chopped salad typically includes chopped iceberg and romaine lettuce, salami, mozzarella cheese, chickpeas, and is tossed in a red wine vinaigrette.

The calorie count varies because the original recipe is a secret, leading to many different online versions with varying amounts of high-calorie ingredients like salami, cheese, and olive oil in the dressing.

Yes, you can easily make a vegetarian version by omitting the salami and adding extra chickpeas or other chopped vegetables for a meatless option.

The salad was invented by restaurateur Jean Leon at the La Scala restaurant in Beverly Hills during the 1950s. The ingredients were chopped into bite-sized pieces to make it easier for his celebrity clientele to eat.

To reduce calories, you can use less olive oil, or thin the dressing with more red wine vinegar or even a little water. You can also serve the dressing on the side and use less of it.

The healthiness of a La Scala salad depends on the specific ingredients and portion size. While it contains healthy components like lettuce and chickpeas, the high-fat salami, cheese, and olive oil dressing can make it high in calories. Making healthier substitutions is recommended.

The salad experienced a resurgence in popularity after being frequently mentioned as a favorite of celebrities like the Kardashians, leading to its viral fame on social media platforms like TikTok.