Classic Green Salad with Creamy Italian Dressing
If you want THE classic green salad to bring to a party or serve to a crowd, this green salad with creamy Italian dressing is IT!!! The creamy Italian dressing is always a crowd pleaser and you can mix and match the salad ingredients however you like.
Need more salads that are great for parties?? Try this blueberry salad with poppyseed dressing or this delicious chopped veggie salad!
Recipe Ingredients: Classic Green Salad with Creamy Italian Dressing
For the dressing:
For the salad:
Ingredient Notes, Substitutions & Additions
Vinegar: Regular old white vinegar works perfectly. You can also use white wine vinegar if you’re feeling fancy!
Italian dressing seasoning: These are the little packets you find near all the salad dressings. My favorite brand is the Good Seasons Zesty Italian Salad Dressing Mix.
Sugar: I feel like just a pinch of sugar balances out all the acidity in the dressing. You can also use honey or omit it all together.
Additions: It’s so easy to customize and mix and match the veggies and flavors in this salad. Some great additions are: red onion, shredded carrots, cucumbers, and Parmesan cheese shavings.
Expert Tips
- Make ahead tips: This salad holds up well in the fridge so it’s an excellent make-ahead dish. Store the dressing and croutons separately and add them in when you are ready to serve.
- Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. If possible, store the salad and dressing separately. A glass mason jar is perfect for storing dressing.
- Mix and match! This salad is so customizable! Don’t like olives? Leave them out or swap them with some shredded carrots. Love cucumber? Add it in! You really can’t go wrong with this salad!
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Thank you! ~ Casey
Classic Green Salad with Creamy Italian Dressing
Ingredients
For the dressing
- 2 .7 oz. packages of Italian seasoning dressing mix such as Good Seasons or Zesty
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp. mayonnaise
For the salad
- 6-8 cups romaine lettuce, chopped into small pieces
- 1 3.8 oz. can of sliced olives
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini, sliced
- 1/2 cup croutons
- freshly ground black pepper, for serving
Instructions
- Make the dressing: Add all dressing ingredients to a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake until well-combined.
- Assemble the salad: Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl.
- Finish: Drizzle on the dressing and toss well. Add lots of freshly ground black pepper to finish.
Notes
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- Make ahead tips: This salad holds up well in the fridge so it’s an excellent make-ahead dish. Store the dressing and croutons separately and add them in when you are ready to serve.
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- Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. If possible, store the salad and dressing separately. A glass mason jar is perfect for storing dressing.
- Mix and match! This salad is so customizable! Don’t like olives? Leave them out or swap them with some shredded carrots. Love cucumber? Add it in! You really can’t go wrong with this salad!
This green salad goes with EVERYTHING and is great to bring to parties when you are assigned “a salad.” LOL! I know you will love it! XO~ Casey