The Best Italian Pasta Salad Dressing
Make your pasta salad shine with this homemade Italian pasta salad dressing! This easy and classic recipe is what I like to call “semi-homemade” — it starts with an Italian dressing seasoning packet, but gets a fresh, flavorful upgrade with Dijon mustard, Parmesan, and high-quality olive oil. It’s the perfect balance of easy and homemade!
Check out this post for endless combinations of delicious homemade salad dressings…and this post for the creamy version of an Italian pasta salad!
Recipe Ingredients: Italian Pasta Salad Dressing
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Italian dressing seasoning packet: These are found right in with the salad dressings at the grocery store. My favorite brand is Good Seasons, but any brand will work.
Sugar: This just balances out the acidity from the vinegar. You can leave it out if you don’t want the added sugar.
Vinegar: Plain old white vinegar is just fine in this dressing. White wine vinegar is great, too.
Oil: Use good quality extra virgin olive oil! It really takes this dressing over the top and adds so much rich flavor.
Variations on this Italian Dressing
Creamy Italian: Add 1/2 to 1 cup of mayo for a rich, creamy Italian dressing like in this creamy Italian pasta salad.
Zesty Italian: Add a little extra vinegar or a tablespoon or two of lemon juice for that extra “bite!”
Herby Italian: Freshen up the dressing a bit and whisk in chopped fresh basil, chives, or parsley.
Expert Tips
- Quality olive oil: The package directions on the Italian dressing mix just say to use “oil” but don’t skimp and use vegetable oil or another flavorless oil! Using a good quality extra virgin olive oil will take this dressing over the top and really make it stand out from a regular bottled dressing.
- Seasoning mix instructions: Do not follow the instructions on the back of the season packet. Just follow the instructions as written in the recipe card below.
- Storage: This dressing will stay fresh in the fridge in an airtight jar or container for 5 to 7 days. After storing, make sure you give the dressing a good shake or stir to get all of the ingredients incorporated again.
Other Ways to Enjoy this Italian Dressing
This homemade Italian dressing is so versatile! Here are a few delicious ways to serve it:
- Salads: Make this crowd-pleasing classic green salad and drizzle on this homemade Italian dressing.
- Marinade: This dressing makes a great marinade for chicken, fish, pork, or steak. We love making steak or shrimp kebabs and using this dressing as a marinade for the protein and veggies!
- Sandwiches and wraps: You can use this dressing as a replacement for mayo on an Italian-style sandwich, or drizzle it inside a wrap.
- Roasted veggies: Drizzle this dressing over roasted veggies…yummm!
More Yummy Salad Dressings…
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Thank you! ~ Casey
The Best Italian Pasta Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 .7 oz. packages of Italian dressing seasoning mix such as Good Seasons, See Note 1
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2/3 cup good-quality extra virgin olive oil Use good-quality olive oil! That really takes this dressing over the top and adds so much rich flavor.!
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp sugar optional
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Make the dressing: Add all dressing ingredients to a small bowl or medium-sized jar (these mason jars work great!), and whisk or shake until the dressing ingredients are well combined.
- Use or store: Use dressing on pasta salad like this Salad Supreme Pasta Salad right away or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
This is my GO TO pasta salad dressing recipe! I love that it’s “semi homemade” but really tastes 100% homemade 🙂 I know you’ll love it! XO ~ Casey