If you're like me and refuse to turn on your oven / stovetop these days, you need this Prosciutto and Melon salad in your life stat! Not only does it work really well as a stand alone lunch, but also goes great with alongside a delicious meat and cheese lasagna or chicken parm recipe.
I don't know about you guys - but it feels like EVERYONE is in Italy this summer. Trust me, I'd gladly be there too but not in the cards this summer. Because of that, I've been reminiscing about our trip to Italy for my 30th birthday and craving this Prosciutto and Melon Salad! And if you are questioning where the carbs are, check out my grilled peach and prosciutto pizza.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
Every single place we'd visit on our Italy tripped served some version of a Prosciutto and Melon either in a salad or platter. It was my everything. The sweetness from the various melons with the saltiness from the prosciutto is a match made in heaven. It couldn't be easier to make. It's just a few simple ingredients! Predominately really really really good melon.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew
- Ciliegine Mozzarella
- Baby Arugula
- Prosciutto - I tend to buy this at my favorite local market!
- Basil Leaves
- Mint Leaves
- Champagne Vinegar – white wine vinegar also works well on this Prosciutto and Melon recipe
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
- Olive Oil
- Balsamic Glaze (optional)
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see detailed recipe card below
How to Make Prosciutto and Melon Salad
Start by making the dressing. Then toss the dressing with the arugula and transfer to a serving platter. Tuck the sliced or scooped melon in the arugula and top with mozzarella balls and tear the prosciutto into bite-size pieces and scatter it overtop as well. Scatter with the fresh basil and mint leaves, drizzle with balsamic glaze and season with freshly ground black pepper.
Tips & Tricks
How do you buy really good melons you ask? Well, here's the deal.
Cantaloupe - Smell the cantaloupe where the fruit was cut from it's stem. It should smell very fragrant and sweet. If it doesn't, move on to the next one!
Honeydew - First, make sure the honeydew is green!! We don't want any grey-ish melons! You know that it's ready to eat when you can hear the seeds rattling around when you shake it near your ear. And don't be afraid to give it a gentle shake when there are other shoppers around, they can judge all they want, but at least you're going to go home with a great piece of fruit!
FAQs
What fruits go well with prosciutto?
Melon is the go to choice but stone fruits pair beautifully with prosciutto too!
More Melon Recipes
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today!
Melon and Prosciutto Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 ounces baby arugula
- 1 small cantaloupe sliced or scooped into melon balls
- 1 small honeydew sliced or scooped into melon balls
- 8 ounces bite-size fresh mozzarella drained
- 2 to 3 ounces prosciutto torn
- Fresh basil leaves
- Fresh mint leaves
- balsamic glaze (optional)
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk the vinegar, salt and pepper while slowly pouring in the olive oil. Toss the dressing with the arugula and transfer to a serving platter.
- Tuck the sliced or scooped melon in the arugula and top with mozzarella balls and tear the prosciutto into bite-size pieces and scatter it overtop as well. Scatter with the fresh basil and mint leaves, drizzle with balsamic glaze and season with freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson
This salad is so delicious! It's light, refreshing, sweet, and a little bit salty. I added watermelon too because I had one. I left the balsamic glaze off to the side for people to add it as they like. I took it to a mother's day brunch with friends and it was a huge hit. Will definitely make on repeat. Thanks, Gaby!
The perfect blend for a summer meal!
Hi Gaby,
Do you have a balsamic salad dressing for everyday, or is this the one? Saw you on the Kitchen and now I’m starting to follow you. I don’t know where I have been, lol. Also, for your beauty products, do you recommend for all ages, 25-30, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s?
Thank you
Beauty products are great for all ages - yes!! and the balsamic vinaigrette recipe is in either of my 2 most recent cookbooks!!
The flavor fusion in this salad sound delectable. I am going to the market to find perfect melons!!
I love that you are keeping summer alive as long as possible! This is a delicious salad.
I wrap melon balls with proscuitto all the time during the summer, but this looks absolutely amazing! I will definitely try it soon.
Simple and delicious. I had all the ingredients on hand so I made this for a light lunch. Then I ended up having it for dinner and the next day for a light dessert. Did I say this was delicious? My go to for quick and refreshing. Thank you for sharing other melon posts. Love this time of year. Thank you for sharing.
Yes! One of the melon farmers at the farmer's market was giving away slices wrapped in prosciutto last week. Definitely a great way to advertise!
A beautiful salad for a beautiful lady. So excited for you and the big day!
Gaby: This looks delicious; I really love the photo you took of it. Feel like entering it in our Food Blogger Recipe Contest? Details on our Facebook page here: http://on.fb.me/PGNLSj
Gregg
lovely salad Gaby- have a beautiful and special wedding weekend- i wish you the best!
Congrats Gaby! Wishing you all the best on your special day. Love this classic combination in salad form.
Love this sweet and salty salad!
Drooling. my roommate introduced me to prosciutto with melon in college, and i have been forever hooked. it's amazing stuff! I've never seen it in a salad before though! New and easy way to eat it, and in BULK too!
BTW i am so excited for your wedding! Wishing you and the future husband all the happiness in the world. 🙂
First off, congrats!!!! So exciting, and so excited for you. Secondly, I am thrilled that you took the traditional melon proscuitto recipe to new heights. I will definitely be adding this to our salad list!