Italian Vegetables

Even simple recipes can be delicious. Our Italian vegetables recipe is about as easy as it gets. We use frozen mixed vegetables and a store-bought salad dressing as the main flavoring for the veggies, saving loads of prep time. It’s a wonderful choice for a busy day when there’s no time to go shopping or spend hours in the kitchen, as this recipe comes together in just 25 minutes.

Ingredients for Italian Vegetables

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• Vegetables: Choose a bag of frozen California-blend vegetables for this recipe. If you can’t find a bag labeled “California blend,” look for a bag of mixed vegetables with cauliflower, broccoli and carrots in it.
• Italian salad dressing: Look for a reduced-fat version of Italian dressing for a healthy option. You could also make your own Italian dressing with vinegar, olive oil, herbs and seasonings.
• Salt, basil and oregano: These seasonings dress up the veggies with even more flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the vegetables

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Bring the vegetables and water to a boil in a large nonstick skillet. Cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Uncover; cook a little longer and stir until the liquid evaporates.

Step 2: Add the dressing and seasonings

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Add the salad dressing, salt, basil and oregano. Cook and stir until the coated vegetables are heated through.

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Recipe Variations

• Use a different dressing: Choose (or make!) another vinaigrette-style dressing such as a citrus vinaigrette or a tangy tomato dressing.
• Add fresh basil: In addition to the dried herbs, chop some fresh basil and serve it mixed in with the vegetables for a bolder Italian flavor.
• Dice up some celery: Diced celery pairs well with the other vegetables in this mixture, and it also tastes wonderful with the dressing and seasonings.

How to Store Italian Vegetables

Once the vegetables cool, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep for three to five days.

Can you make Italian vegetables ahead of time?

Sure! Make them up to a day or two ahead of time, then reheat the Italian veggies in a saucepan with a little water or place them in a microwave-safe container to warm them in the microwave.

Italian Vegetable Tips

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How could I add a topping to this?

Make a delicious topping by mixing about 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese with 2 tablespoons bread crumbs, plus seasonings such as salt, pepper and garlic powder. Melt butter and add it to the veggies (with or without the dressing and seasonings), then sprinkle the cheesy bread crumb mixture over them. Here’s an Italian vegetable medley recipe with a topping.

Could I make this with entirely different vegetables?

Sure! Any veggie that would taste good with a vinaigrette-style flavoring would work well for this recipe. Try green beans or yellow beans, zucchini slices or even Brussels sprouts.

Is this a healthy dish?

Yes, it’s a nice option for a healthy side dish since it’s essentially pure vegetables with some dressing and seasoning on them. There’s no deep frying or pan frying, so the amount of oil on them in minimal, and the same holds true for the sodium content.