This copycat Olive Garden Italian dressing recipe can easily be recreated at home without much preparation time at all. The creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet dressing perfectly complements crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and other fresh vegetables in any salad, for a delicious, Italian-inspired flavor.
More Salad Dressing Recipes To Try
Homemade Caesar Dressing
Ranch Dressing Without Buttermilk
Table of Contents
- Ingredients for Olive Garden Italian salad dressing recipe
- How to make Olive Garden Italian salad dressing
- What to serve with make Olive Garden Italian dressing
- Occasions to serve Olive Garden Italian dressing
- How to store Olive Garden Italian dressing
- Olive Garden Italian salad dressing FAQs
- Olive Garden Copycat Italian Dressing
Ingredients for Olive Garden Italian salad dressing recipe
- olive oil
- Vinegar
- Italian seasonings
- garlic
- Parmesan cheese
- Romano cheese (optional)
- Honey (optional)
How to make Olive Garden Italian salad dressing
Olive oil – Olive oil helps give the dressing a smooth and creamy consistency and also helps balance out the acidity of the vinegar.
Vinegar – Vinegar is a mild, acidic liquid made by fermenting distilled alcohol. It adds a tangy, slightly sour flavor to the salad dressing and also helps balance out the sweetness of the other ingredients. Vinegar is also a natural preservative, which helps extend the shelf life of the dressing.
Italian seasonings – If you have dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram on hand, you can make a batch of Italian dry herb seasoning yourself. Or you could use the store-bought version which works just as well.
Garlic – I like to use a combination of freshly chopped garlic and garlic powder but feel free to use whatever you’re comfortable with.
Parmesan cheese – Parmesan cheese has a nutty, salty flavor. Grated Parmesan cheese is added to the dressing to give it a rich, cheesy flavor.
Romano cheese (optional) – Romano cheese is added to the dressing to enhance the overall cheese flavor.
To make the dressing, simply mix together all of the ingredients in a bowl until they are well combined. You can adjust the ingredients to your liking, adding more or less vinegar, honey, or cheese depending on your taste preferences.
Once the dressing is ready, toss it with your favorite greens and vegetables to create a delicious and refreshing salad.
What to serve with make Olive Garden Italian dressing
Here are a few ideas of what to serve with Olive Garden Italian dressing:
Salad – The most obvious choice is to serve Olive Garden Italian dressing with a salad. Toss together some lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other fresh vegetables, and drizzle the dressing over the top for a delicious and refreshing salad.
Pasta salad – Olive Garden Italian dressing is also great for making a tasty pasta salad. Cook some pasta, such as rotini or fusilli, and toss it with chopped vegetables, olives, and feta cheese, and then add the dressing for a flavorful and satisfying dish.
Grilled chicken – The tangy and slightly sweet flavors of Olive Garden Italian dressing also make it a great marinade for grilled chicken. Simply marinate the chicken in the dressing for a few hours or overnight, and then grill it for a delicious and flavorful meal.
Sandwiches – Olive Garden Italian dressing can also be used as a flavorful spread for sandwiches. Spread it on a sub roll or wrap, and then add your favorite meats, cheeses, and veggies for a tasty and satisfying sandwich.
Occasions to serve Olive Garden Italian dressing
Here are a few occasions where Olive Garden Italian dressing would be a great addition:
Family dinners – Olive Garden Italian dressing is a crowd-pleaser and can be used to dress up a variety of salads, pastas, and proteins. It’s a great choice for a family dinner or potluck, as it can be easily adjusted to suit everyone’s tastes.
Barbecues and picnics – Olive Garden Italian dressing is perfect for summer barbecues and picnics. Use it as a marinade for grilled meats, as a dressing for pasta salad, or as a dip for vegetables.
Entertaining guests – If you’re hosting a dinner party or entertaining guests, Olive Garden Italian dressing can be used to create a restaurant-quality salad. Serve it over a bed of mixed greens with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and shaved Parmesan cheese for an impressive and delicious salad.
Meal prep – Olive Garden Italian dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a week. Use it to dress up your meal prep salads or to add flavor to your lunchtime sandwich.
How to store Olive Garden Italian dressing
To ensure the freshness and quality of Olive Garden Italian dressing, it’s important to store it properly. Here are some tips on how to store Olive Garden Italian dressing:
Refrigerate – Olive Garden Italian dressing should be stored in an airtight container and kept refrigerated. This will help keep the dressing fresh for longer.
Shake well before use – Since Olive Garden Italian dressing contains oil and vinegar, it may separate over time. Before using the dressing, be sure to shake it well to ensure that the ingredients are well combined.
Use within a week – Olive Garden Italian dressing should be used within a week of making it. This will ensure that the dressing is fresh and hasn’t spoiled.
Freeze – If you have leftover Olive Garden Italian dressing that you don’t plan on using within a week, you can freeze it for later use. Simply transfer the dressing to an airtight container and freeze it for up to three months. Be sure to thaw the dressing in the refrigerator before using it.
Olive Garden Italian salad dressing FAQs
Can I use regular vinegar instead of white wine vinegar in the recipe?
Can I use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder in the recipe?
Can I use a different type of oil in the recipe?
Olive Garden Copycat Italian Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup vinegar white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar work well
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning blend
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon grated Romano cheese optional
- 1 tablespoon honey optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and vinegar until well combined.
- Add the Italian seasoning blend, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and grated Romano cheese (if using). Stir to combine.
- If desired, add a tablespoon of honey to balance out the acidity and add a touch of sweetness to the dressing.
- Season the dressing with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Pour the dressing over your favorite salad and toss to coat.
Give this recipe a try and enjoy the bold and delicious flavors of homemade Italian dressing!
Similar Posts
Get our FREE Printable Meal Planner and other helpful goodies straight to your inbox!
