Roasted Pear and Gorgonzola Salad Recipe (2024)

Home / Recipes

Jump to Recipe

Kimber|

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Sometimes I just get cravings. I just have to have a certain taste combination. I neeeeeeed it! I am not really sure if this is normal or not (and no I am not pregnant, ha!) but about a month ago this craving was absolutely pear and gorgonzola! Ashley posted this recipe a while back for a pear and gorgonzola pizza which is absolutely amazing, but with the new year and all I wanted to lighten it up a bit and decided to have in in the form of a salad.

there is something about the saltiness of the cheese and the sweetness of the pear that just makes my taste buds dance. I added in dried cranberries for a zing, and toasted pecans for the rich taste and perfect contrast in texture. It was meant to be.

I tried making this salad twice before passing the recipe on to you because the first time I was serving it to a group including my husband. He isn’t the biggest fan of gorgonzola so I tried to make up for it by adding candied pecans into the salad. He is a BIG fan of candied nuts. So I thought I might win him over. It was good, but not great. I definitely thought it was too sweet with the candied nuts, plus the Craisins, plus the pear. So the candied pecans got the ax and replaced by their less sweet, but oh so savory other half the toasted pecan. Balance was restored and the salad was divine.

This is a simple salad but will always impress! I have eaten it as a side and served it as the main attraction. You can even make it for a crowd and the left overs will save well as long as you serve the dressing on the side. I have probably made this salad 6 times in the past 6 weeks. It is pretty darn good. I hope you enjoy it as much as me!

Hungry for more family-friendly recipes? Sign up for my free recipe club to get new family-friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram.

Roasted Pear and Gorgonzola Salad Recipe (4)

Roasted Pear and Gorgonzola Salad Recipe

Hover over "serves" value to reveal recipe scaler

Author:Kimber

Print Review Recipe

Ingredients

  • 50/50 Baby Spinach Mixed Greens Mix
  • Firm Pears - I used a variety bag from Trader Joes any kind of pear will work
  • Gorgonzola
  • Pecans
  • Butter
  • Craisins
  • Balsamic Vinaigrette

Instructions

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)

Did you make this recipe?Tag me on Instagram @thepinningmama! If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a review! It helps support my website and makes my day!

Hungry for more family-friendly recipes? Sign up for my free recipe club to get new family-friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram.

Roasted Pear and Gorgonzola Salad Recipe (5)

Classic Balsamic Vinaigrette

Hover over "serves" value to reveal recipe scaler

Author:Kimber

Print Review Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 Cup Olive Oil
  • 1/4 Tsp Salt
  • 1/4 Tsp Onion Powder
  • 1/4 Tsp Dried Basil
  • 1/2 Tsp Dried Oregano
  • 2 Tbsp Sugar
  • 2 Cloves Fresh Garlic crushed and diced

Instructions

  • Pour the vinegar into a mixing bowl.

  • Add the salt, onion powder, basil, oregano, sugar and garlic.

  • Mix until combined well.

  • Slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking.

  • Wisk until emulsified, then pour into serving dish and enjoy!

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)

Did you make this recipe?Tag me on Instagram @thepinningmama! If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a review! It helps support my website and makes my day!

Don’t forget to check out some of our other delicious salads:

Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad

Chicken Pesto Caesar Salad

Green Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

Basic Creamy Salad Dressing

You may also like...

  • Wedge Salad

  • Pear and Gorgonzola Pizza

  • Easy Asian Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

  • The World's Best Loaded Chicken Salad Recipe

Roasted Pear and Gorgonzola Salad Recipe (15)

More free recipes!

Sign up to join our FREE recipe club & receive new recipes each week!

Previous PostAbby’s Purple Bag Project
Next Post {Luvocracy} The Best New Way to Shop Online!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

6 Comments

  1. Michelle says

    I am a huge fan of this salad. I’ve never made it, but have had it numerous times at restaurants and I love it! My husband doesn’t like gorgonzola either. 🙁 I pinned your recipe…maybe I’ll just leave the gorgonzola off of his.

    Reply

    • Kimber says

      Better yet, double gorgonzola for you! That’s what I do at least haha! THanks for the sweet note!

      Reply

  2. Jen says

    You always have great salads to share!

    Reply

    • Kimber says

      Thanks Jen! I really hope you enjoy it!

      Reply

  3. Tina Muir says

    What a beautiful combination! I have this in restaurants whenever I see it, but now I have been reminded I can make it at home too! Sometimes all you want is a sophisticated salad, and this is it! Thanks for the recipe 🙂

    Reply

    • Kimber says

      Thank you so much Tina! Such a sweet message! I really do love this salad, so hopefully this will be a yummy reminder to keep this one on your menu!

      Reply

Roasted Pear and Gorgonzola Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What vegetables pair well with pears? ›

Pear Salad Recipe Ingredients

Mixed greens – Use whatever tender greens you like best! I often make this pear salad recipe with a mix of baby kale, spinach, and chard, but baby lettuces or arugula would also be delicious. Fennel – One of my favorite fall veggies!

What nuts pair well with pears? ›

SWEETLY luscious ripe pears have an affinity for nuts of all kinds. Walnuts, pecans and almonds can be scattered on pear desserts and salads or used in the batter of pear cakes.

Where did pear salad originate? ›

So Where Did Pear Salad Come From? Internet rumor has it that this zany "salad" has ancestry that dates back to a cookbook from 1899 called The American Salad Cookbook. That recipe featured pears on a bed of lettuce, drizzled with a mayonnaise dressing. The peculiar additions of cherries and cheese are a mystery.

What goes well with balsamic vinaigrette? ›

Give steak, chicken, fish, tofu, or olives a bold and tangy flavor profile by using balsamic vinaigrette as a quick and easy marinade option. The longer you let your favorite protein soak up the flavors, the better!

What enhances the flavor of pears? ›

Store ripe pears in the refrigerator to slow ripening and remember to sprinkle some lemon juice on your pears after you cut them — this enhances the flavor and helps prevent the fruit from turning brown.

What compliments pears? ›

Slice pears and serve over a leafy green salad with a sprinkling of feta or any tangy soft cheese. Mixed Green Salad with Pears, Hazelnuts, Blue Cheese and Homemade Croutons opens in a new tab is an all-around favorite winter salad made with juicy Bartlett pears, tangy blue cheese and toasted hazelnuts.

What flavors mix well with pear? ›

Pear: Pairs well with almond, apple, caramel, chestnut, chocolate, cinnamon, citrus, clove, ginger, hazelnut, nutmeg, pecan, raspberry, rosemary, vanilla, and walnut. It mixes best with brandy, port, crème de cassis, Grand Marnier, kirsch, rum, whiskey, and dry red white, and sparkling wines.

What country is known for pears? ›

Production. In 2022, world production of pears was 26 million tonnes, led by China with 73% of the total (table).

Who brought pears to America? ›

The first pear trees were likely planted in Mexico and South America, where they thrived in the warm, tropical climate. In the 17th century, Spanish missionaries introduced pear trees to California, where the fruit quickly became popular among settlers.

What salad was invented in California? ›

The iconic Cobb Salad was invented in 1937 at the Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood, California, by Bob Cobb. The ingredients for Cobb Salad vary from recipe to recipe but they typically start with some sort of leafy green like Romaine lettuce.

What do Italians put balsamic vinegar on? ›

Versatility. Balsamic vinegar belongs to the local culinary tradition. Families from Modena use the less aged one daily on meat or vegetables, in salads, or on ice cream, for example.

What cheese goes best with balsamic vinaigrette? ›

Balsamic Vinegar pairs well with hard aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano or aged Goudas. Drizzle Balsamic Vinegar over cheese or dip a piece of cheese in a small bowl of Balsamic Vinegar for the best balance of flavors.

What fruit goes best with balsamic vinegar? ›

Enjoy! Strawberries and balsamic vinegar pair together beautifully. The sharpness of the balsamic brings out the sweetness of the strawberries. You also can turn a simple fruit into an elegant appetizer for your dinner party.

Can you pair fruits and vegetables together? ›

Food-combining diets say not to mix fruits and vegetables, but your digestive system is really good at its job. It can handle breaking down fruits and vegetables at the same time. There isn't any scientific evidence supporting the theory that eating food groups separately has any beneficial effect.

What goes with Bartlett pears? ›

The Bartlett has a quintessential pear flavor (sweet, buttery, musky and a little herbaceous) and fragrance. This succulent pear is delicious cooked or fresh and makes a wonderful addition to salads. Try Bartlett pears with mascarpone cheese and Brut Champagne. Gouda cheese and Merlot make a terrific alternative match.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 5911

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.