This Creamy Parmesan Dressing is a simple way to make restaurant-quality salads right at home! It’s made with a mayo and buttermilk base, brightened with a touch of lemon juice, and finished with freshly shredded parmesan.
You know those condiments that are so good that you could just eat them straight with a spoon?
This Creamy Parmesan Dressing is one of those condiments for me. It’s an ultra-simple recipe that comes together to make the absolute best dressing for salads, sandwiches, wraps, you name it!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Better than store-bought!– Making your own dressing right at home is so easy and the flavor payoff is high!
- Simple ingredients – You probably have most of these ingredients in your kitchen already.
- Versatile – Serve this Creamy Parmesan Dressing on a hearty salad OR use it as a sauce for sandwiches, wraps, fresh veggies, pasta salad, etc. It really does have so many possibilities!
Recipe Notes
This Creamy Italian Salad Dressing recipe is as simple as promised! Just 10 minutes of prep and a few basic ingredients for a delicious and versatile condiment the whole family will love.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Creamy Salad Dressing to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Mayonnaise – I recommend regular, full-fat mayo for the best flavor and creamiest texture.
- Buttermilk
- Garlic
- Lemon Juice
- Worcestershire Sauce – A dash of this layers in just the right amount of umami flavor to balance out the creamy richness of the mayo.
- Salt and Pepper
- Parmesan Cheese
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Spicy Parmesan Dressing – Give your dressing a kick of heat with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
- Light Parmesan Dressing – Swap the full-fat mayo out for a light version. It won’t be quite as creamy, but will still be delicious!
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Creamy Salad Dressing.
In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and buttermilk.
Add in garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
Top with freshly shredded parmesan cheese.
Whisk until evenly incorporated, then chill for 20 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Use freshly shredded parmesan – While I do love freshly shredded parmesan, you can absolutely use the pre-shredded kind to save a little bit of time. The flavor difference is minimal, so your dressing will still be super tasty!
- Chill before serving – I like to pop the finished dressing in the fridge for a quick 20 minutes before serving. This gives it a little bit of time to thicken up for an extra creamy texture.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Use pre-shredded parmesan – I know I said that freshly shredded parmesan was the way to go, but if you’re shorter on time, you can use pre-shredded instead. The results will still be delicious!
- Make and store for later – You can whip this dressing up in a quick 10 minutes, then store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks before serving. Make it ahead any time so that it’s ready to go when you’re ready to serve it.
What to Serve with Creamy Parmesan Dressing
This creamy dressing is delicious served on a salad, but there are plenty of other delicious ways you can enjoy it.
Choose one or several of these recipes to enjoy your homemade dressing on multiple parts of your meal.
Recipe Ideas
- Classic Steakhouse Wedge Salad – This Classic Steakhouse Wedge Salad is
- Tuscan Turkey Burgers – These Tuscan Turkey Burgers
- Italian Grinder Pasta Salad –
How to Store Creamy Parmesan Salad Dressing
Homemade dressing should be stored in the refrigerator. It will generally stay good for up to two weeks in your favorite salad dressing container. I have also had it last even longer!
When you are ready to serve, make sure to shake or mix well to redistribute all of the flavors evenly.
Recipe FAQ’s
What makes Creamy Italian Salad Dressing creamy?
The combination of mayonnaise and buttermilk as the base for this dressing results in the creamiest texture and richest flavor.
More EASY Dressing Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy salad recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite dressing recipes below.
- Jalapeño Ranch Dressing
- Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
- Homemade Buttermilk Dressing
- Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
Creamy Parmesan Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire, salt and pepper.
- Add the parmesan cheese, and stir until it is incorporated.
- Chill the dressing for at least 20 minutes, or until ready to eat to help the flavors meld together.
Leave a Reply