When it comes to American entertaining, salads are often an afterthought. They’re traditionally treated as a light starter or side to accompany a main course and round out a meal. But when they get bulked up with more substantial ingredients, such as meat, beans or bread, salads can easily become a centerpiece-worthy way to feed a crowd.Subscribe for unlimited access to The PostYou can cancel anytime.SubscribeThese big salad recipes from our archives are built to hold their own come dinnertime. Part of their appeal is their practicality, as they can easily be scaled up or down, and adapted to work with whatever produce is in season, group taste preferences or what’s on hand. Piled into a big bowl, they’re unfussy enough for summer entertaining by the pool or at the park, and interesting enough to excite guests. Several even take a deconstructed approach to party classics such as pizza and sub sandwiches.For a fuller spread, we recommend pairing them with some low-lift bites, such as Roasted Feta With Grapes and Olives, or a savory tart made with premade puff pastry.Bread Salad PrimaveraReturn to menuPictured above. This hefty salad from recipe developer Ben Weiner is a showcase of spring’s finest vegetables, including asparagus, radishes, English peas and leafy greens. It gets tossed with sourdough croutons for a panzanella effect, and a parmesan dressing reminiscent of pasta primavera sauce. Get the recipe.Italian Sub SaladReturn to menuPacked with cured meats, provolone cheese, olives, pickled peppers and a balsamic vinaigrette, this rich, briny salad channels the flavors of an Italian sub. Get the recipe.Eggplant Bread SaladReturn to menuBaked pita bread, fried eggplant and chopped tomatoes come together with a drizzle of tahini-lemon dressing in this hearty recipe. Get the recipe.Pizza Salad With Marinated White BeansReturn to menuThis pizzalike salad gets its flavor from Italian-style marinated canned beans, tomatoes, mozzarella and parmesan. To replicate a crunchy crust, throw in some croutons or pita chips. Get the recipe.Mediterranean Crunch SaladReturn to menuThis visually stunning roasted chickpea salad is a host-friendly favorite, as it comes together quickly and easily. Get the recipe.Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois Chicken SaladReturn to menuWith an optimal balance of flavor and texture, it’s no wonder this salad from celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck has remained popular for more than 40 years. With evenly chopped ingredients, each bite includes a mix of tender chicken, crisp cabbage and radicchio, sweet mango and crunchy wonton strips — all coated in a nutty, tangy dressing. Get the recipe. (And see a video of Puck making it in our Food Lab.)Buffalo Chicken SaladReturn to menuIf your guests are fans of Buffalo Wings or Buffalo Chicken Dip, they’ll love this reimagined version of the popular bar snack for dinner. Crispy fried chicken bites are coated in a bold, tangy Buffalo sauce and combined with fresh vegetables such as romaine, carrots and celery, and a creamy dressing. Get the recipe.