Have you ever made yourself a batch of homemade Italian dressing? Tell me how much better basic Italian vinaigrette tastes when you make it from scratch? It’s tangy, slightly sweet, with a kick, and it’s loaded with herbs. So good that you can drizzle it all over a bag of romaine with croutons and a few olives, or you can toss it with pasta to make a zesty pasta salad. And let me tell you, if you’re a fan of the Olive Garden Italian dressing, you are going to love my homemade version! Plus, it’s quick and easy to make and doesn’t cost nearly as much as the bottled stuff you buy at the grocery store.
Ingredients to make the best Italian dressing:
Olive oil: is the main ‘fat’ for the salad dressing. The vinaigrette is a balance of oil and vinegar.Vinegar: white wine vinegar is the one I like to use for Italian salad dressing. You can also swap it for red wine vinegar if you’d like.Grated Cheese: a few tablespoons of grated pecorino or parmesan give the salad dressing a deep and rich flavorMayonnaise: gives the dressing a bit of creaminess and more flavor.Lemon juice: adds a bright zing to the salad dressing. I find a combination of vinegar and lemon juice really makes the dressing so much better.Dijon Mustard: adds flavor and is an emulsifier that encourages both the oil and vinegar to stay homogenous. Just a teaspoon will do the job!Sugar: balances out the tart and salty elements in the dressingSeasonings: we’re using dried herbs like Italian seasoning, oregano, basil, and parsley here. We’ll also add garlic powder and some red pepper flakes for a kick!
How to make the best Italian dressing at home:
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