Rich, tangy, a little zesty, and ridiculously easy to whip up, this Creamy Italian Dressing may become your next go-to sauce. Spread it on a sandwich, drizzle it over a salad, or use it as a dip, this sauce is here to upgrade so many savory dishes!
What to Gather
These are the must-haves for making this creamy italian dressing! A full list of ingredients with measurements is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Garlic Clove — Give the dressing a little punch of garlicky goodness with minced cloves.
- Carrots — These add a touch of sweetness and a little texture. Plus, extra veggies never hurt!
- Red Bell Pepper — Bell peppers add a slightly sweet crunch that complements the savory ingredients.
- Mayonnaise — This is the creamy base that makes this dressing irresistibly rich. Just grab your favorite brand or easily make your own mayo.
- Lemon Zest — Zest adds a concentrated bright citrusy flavor.
- Fresh Lemon Juice — A little acidity cuts through the creaminess.
- Red Wine Vinegar — Use this vinegar to bring a little tanginess to the table!
- Dried Italian Seasoning — This blend of herbs adds layers of flavor.
- Sugar — A pinch of sugar rounds out the tangy, acidic ingredients.
- Worcestershire Sauce — Worcestershire gives the dressing a little something extra with its kick of umami.
- Fine Sea Salt — Sprinkle in sea salt to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients. Use a fine version so that it mixes in easily!
The Play-by-Play
It only takes a few quick steps to make this creamy italian dressing goodness. It’s as perfect for meal prep as it is for making on the fly.
- Blend the veggies. Pulse the garlic, carrots, and red bell pepper in a food processor until everything is finely chopped.
- Mix it up. Pour in the mayo, lemon zest, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, sugar, and Worcestershire sauce and pulse again until everything is smooth and creamy.
- Chill and serve. Let the sauce chill in the fridge for a bit to allow the flavors to mingle before serving.
5S Philosophy 👩🏻🍳
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- Salt – Sea salt might seem like a small addition, but it plays a big role in making the flavors pop. It enhances the sweetness of the bell pepper and carrots while bringing out the delicious depth of the garlic and Worcestershire sauce.
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- Seasoning – The blend of dried herbs in the Italian seasoning ties together the other ingredients and gives the dressing a boost of savory flavor.
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- Sauces – Worcestershire sauce is the secret weapon that adds a hint of umami that makes this dressing hard to resist. It’s one of those ingredients you don’t always think about, but you’d miss it if it weren’t there.
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- Swaps – No red bell pepper? Try a roasted red pepper for a slightly smoky twist. Out of Italian seasoning? A mix of dried oregano and basil will do the trick. If you’re out of Worcestershire sauce, a tiny splash of soy sauce or balsamic vinegar can take its place.
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- Senses – This sauce is bursting with flavors and textures! The smell of fresh garlic and lemon hits first, followed by the tangy, and slightly sweet taste that will have you digging back in for more. Plus, the smooth base is perfectly contrasted by the subtle crunch of the veggies.
Perfect Pairings
This sauce is made for multitasking! Spread it on burgers, sandwiches, and paninis, or use it as a dip for fries, roasted veggies, or even shrimp kebabs.
Of course, creamy italian dressing also makes an amazing dressing — just drizzle it over your favorite salad.
Storage and Freezing
How to Store
Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge, and it’ll stay fresh for up to a week. This sauce actually gets better with time! Make it a day ahead so the flavors have time to blend together.
Can I Freeze Creamy Italian Dressing?
This recipe isn’t a great candidate for freezing since mayo-based sauces tend to separate.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Just chop everything super finely and whisk it together. It won’t be as smooth, but it’ll still be delicious.
Nope! It’s more tangy and creamy than spicy. If you want some heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
Absolutely! You can make dairy-free Creamy Italian dressing using vegan mayo, silken tofu, or even blended cashews as the creamy base.
More Savory Dressings
Looking for more ways to dress up your greens and other dishes? Take a peek at these popular recipes:
Creamy Italian Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tablespoon carrots minced
- 1 red bell pepper minced
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3-4 grates lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- Dash of fine sea salt
Instructions
- Add garlic, carrots and red bell pepper to small food processor, pulse until all are in small pieces.
- Add mayonnaise, lemon zest, red wine vinegar, dried Italian seasoning, sugar and Worcestershire sauce and fine sea salt to the food processor, pulse for 30 seconds until well blended.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, make sure to come back and let us know how it was!
Nutrition
