Master Our Classic Creamy Italian Dressing with These Simple Steps
Indulge in the flavors of Italy with this smooth and velvety creamy Italian dressing. We make it with a perfect blend of mayo, olive oil, vinegar, tangy Dijon mustard, and just the right amount of aromatic and flavorful herbs to add a refreshing zing to any salad or sandwich.
My Favorite Easy Peasy Creamy Italian Dressing
I first tasted creamy Italian dressing in college – now eons ago. It quickly became my favorite for adding that little extra flavor to Italian submarine sandwiches and salami and pepperoncini salads, which I scarfed down hundreds (or maybe thousands) between and after classes. I fell head-over-heels in love with the taste of this dressing. Truth be told, I couldn’t get enough of it – and still can’t.
Flash forward all these decades, and the creamy texture and consistency of the dressing (not to mention the slightly tangy taste) continue to make my mouth water every time I think about it. Yep, I’m an all-around fan!
Scroll to the recipe card below to print or save to your recipe box.
Please let me know if you have questions or if you tweak the recipe in the comments below. I’d love to hear!
🤩Jazz up your greens! 😋Make this Homemade Creamy Italian Dressing! 🍴#homemade #Italian #dressing 🥣🌟#GlutenFree #recipe #CookingGfreeDeliciously
It's about the perfect creaminess, consistency, and taste...
When making the perfect creamy Italian dressing, it should have enough creaminess to cover and gently coat all the nooks and crannies when dressing salad. Still, it also should stand up and be thick enough to slather on a sandwich without dripping and oozing all over the place.
The taste should be tangy but not sour, and the herbs and sweetness must be balanced with enough of each to create a memorable taste. This dressing does all that and more.
After graduating from my indulgent college diet of Italian salads, sub sandwiches, and eating out more than anyone should have, I discovered I could create a better-than-cafeteria (or cheap restaurant) version of creamy Italian dressing at home.
That’s why, over the years, I’ve tweaked and played with the ingredients and their amounts to combine all the traditional flavors you’d expect into this simple, make-it-at-home recipe. You can tailor it to your preferences by adding or subtracting elements.
Make this Creamy Italian Dressing to suit your taste...
You can add more olive oil to your preference for a thinner consistency. If you prefer a thicker dressing, you can add more mayonnaise. Want an extra punch of flavor? Stir in some lemon juice or a few red pepper flakes.
This creamy Italian dressing is perfect for dressing your favorite salads or as a dip for vegetables and chips. It is also delicious on sandwiches, burgers, and as a marinade for chicken or fish. Once made, you can keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
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💭 Before we go...
In addition to making healthy foods at home to ensure they are made gluten-free, we’re also huge fans of making everyday condiments and dressings at home to save money. So here are a few reasons you might want to make this Classic Creamy Italian Dressing recipe yourself.
- Easy to make: The recipe requires few ingredients and can be prepared in just a few minutes.
- It’s a crowd-pleaser: Classic creamy Italian dressing is a widely loved dressing that can be used on salads, as a vegetable dip, as a sandwich spread, or even as a marinade!
- Customizable: The recipe can be tweaked to suit different tastes, whether somebody wants a spicier or milder dressing.
- Homemade: Making a salad dressing can be more cost-effective and allows you to control the ingredients’ quality.
- Versatile: The dressing can be used on various salads, from a simple garden salad to a traditional Caprese salad with tomatoes and mozzarella.
I hope you’ll love this dressing recipe as much as we do!
Keep scrolling for the recipe card below. You can print or save the recipe so you can try it tonight and enjoy a taste of this classic Italian dressing in your home.
Prefer making from Scratch? Then, try these popular recipes too!
P.S. If you create a delicious twist on this recipe, or if you have a question or comment, please let me know. I’d love to hear!
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Creamy Italian Dressing
EQUIPMENT
- Medium Bowl
- Fine Mesh Microplane Grater
- Utensils (Whisk, Measuring Cups & Spoons, Rubber Spatula, or Large Spoon)
INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Champagne vinegar
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated (fine) [1]
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons granulated Sugar or honey
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning Blend
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground Black Pepper
- ¼ cup Olive Oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Mix the mayonnaise, vinegar, parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, and sugar in a medium bowl until well combined.
- Add the Italian seasoning blend and whisk until everything is fully incorporated.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking continuously until all the ingredients are combined and fully emulsified. You’re looking for the dressing to become thick with a smooth and creamy consistency that does not separate.
- For the best taste, let sit 30 minutes before serving for the flavors to develop.
YOUR OWN NOTES
KITCHEN NOTES
Adjust to Taste You can add more olive oil to your preference for a thinner consistency. If you prefer a thicker dressing, you can add more mayonnaise. For an extra punch of flavor, stir in some lemon juice or a few red pepper flakes. This creamy Italian dressing can be used for dressing your favorite salads or as a dip for vegetables and chips. It is also delicious on sandwiches, burgers, and as a marinade for chicken or fish. Once made, this dressing can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Nutrition
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(Nutritional values are an approximation. Actual nutritional values may vary due to preparation techniques, variations related to suppliers, regional and seasonal differences, or rounding.)
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