Master Our Classic Creamy Italian Dressing with These Simple Steps
Few condiments capture the essence of Italian cuisine quite like creamy Italian dressing. With its rich, tangy flavor profile and smooth, creamy texture, this dressing elevates salads. In the same way, it brings a delightful zest to marinades, pasta dishes, and even as a dip for fresh vegetables. And while store-bought options can be convenient, they often lack the freshness and depth of flavor that a homemade version provides.
Making creamy Italian dressing at home is not just an easy and rewarding culinary endeavor but also allows you to customize the ingredients to suit your palate. Imagine being able to control the level of acidity, adjust the herbs, and incorporate quality ingredients free from artificial preservatives and additives.
Whether preparing a garden salad for a summer barbecue, a robust antipasto plate, or a simple weeknight dinner, a homemade creamy Italian dressing can make all the difference.
This recipe explores the simple steps and essential ingredients required to make creamy Italian dressing that rivals any restaurant.
From the balance of tangy vinegar to the robustness of herbaceous notes and the creaminess that ties it all together, we’ll delve into the secrets of crafting this versatile dressing that will keep your taste buds tingling.
Prepare to awaken your culinary creativity and transform ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences with homemade creamy Italian dressing!
My Favorite Easy Peasy Creamy Italian Dressing
I first tasted creamy Italian dressing in college. At a time that now seems like eons ago, this dressing 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.
Back then, I fell head-over-heels in love with the taste of this creamy dressing. I couldn’t get enough of it, and I 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, email, or save to your favorites.
Please let me know in the comments below if you have questions or if you tweak the recipe. I’d love to hear from you!
🤩Jazz up your greens! 😋Make this Homemade Creamy Italian Dressing! 🍴#homemade #Italian #dressing 🥣🌟#GlutenFree #recipe #CookingGfreeDeliciously
Creamy Italian Dressing is about the perfect creaminess, consistency, and taste...
When making the perfect creamy Italian dressing, it should have enough creamy consistency to cover and gently coat all the nooks and crannies of the salad. At the same time, 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.
Log In | Log Out
Sign Up & Register
💭 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 allow you to control the quality of the ingredients.
- 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!
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!
Want to read more about my recipes?
Check out my Substack, where I share fun extensions of my standard blog posts and extras you won’t get anywhere else!
NO Need to Look for Your Calculator:
Adjusting the serving size of recipes is easier than you may think.
To change the number of portions that a recipe makes go to the “Servings” quantity in the recipe section below. Hover over the servings amount and a slider box will appear above the amount. Slide the toggle to adjust the desired number of portions you want to make. Please note that the ingredient measures will change to decimal equivalents when the serving amount is adjusted.
Need more help with cooking and recipe conversions? Head to the Good Cooking’s Recipe Conversions Guide for their online collection of helpful links!
Creamy Italian Dressing
@ GfreeDeliciously
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.1/2 cup Mayonnaise, 1/4 cup Champagne vinegar, 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons granulated Sugar
- Whisk in the Italian seasoning blend until everything is fully incorporated.1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning Blend, 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground Black Pepper
- Slowly drizzle the olive oil in a thin stream, whisking continuously until all the ingredients are combined and fully emulsified. You’re looking for the dressing to become thick with a smooth yet creamy consistency that does not separate.1/4 cup Olive Oil
- 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 for a thinner consistency or an extra dollop of mayonnaise to make it thicker. If you want an extra punch of flavor, consider stirring in some lemon juice or a few red pepper flakes.
This creamy Italian dressing offers endless customization options to suit your preferences. It's perfect for enhancing your favorite salads or as a dip for veggies and chips. Additionally, it tastes fantastic on sandwiches and burgers, and it works wonderfully as a marinade for chicken or fish. Once prepared, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.Nutrition
Recipe Card powered by WP Recipe Maker
(Nutritional values are an approximation. Actual nutritional values may vary due to preparation techniques, variations related to suppliers, regional and seasonal differences, or rounding.)
Copyright © 2017-2024 Kymberley Pekrul | GfreeDeliciously | gfreedeliciously.com | All content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. However, copying and/or pasting full recipes on social media is strictly prohibited. Please read my Photo Use Policy for detailed guidelines and further clarification.
RECIPE TAGS:
Share the L♥VE
When you make our recipes, snap a photo, post it, and tag it with #CookingGfreeDeliciously on Instagram. Enjoy, xo!
