This recipe for creamy Italian dressing is what you are going to want on your salad. It starts with a luxurious creamy base made with fresh homemade mayonnaise combined with rich, smooth sour cream. The dressing is brought to life with a perfect balance of tangy vinegar and a medley of aromatic Italian spices. This combination creates a flavor profile that is both refreshing and satisfying.
One of my favorite aspects of this dressing is that it is made with all natural ingredients. The fresh vibrant flavor shines above store bought Italian dressing. Comparatively, homemade dressing has a superior flavor to store bought varieties. Many commercial versions rely on heavily processed oils, high-fructose corn syrup, various food additives, and preservatives, which can detract from the intended fresh appeal of a salad. Thankfully, you can have this delicious, homemade addition to your salad in a matter of minutes.
Creamy Italian Dressing Origin
While the name may suggest an Italian heritage, creamy Italian dressing as we know it today actually originated in the United States during the 1940s. It was first created in a restaurant owned by an Italian immigrant. This fascinating fact extends to many salad dressings in the US that carry European-sounding names. They were, in fact, developed right here in America. For an intriguing exploration of this and more surprising facts, consider reading the article by KRCGTV titled Salad Dressings and Where They Came From.
Preparation, Servings, and Storage
This recipe for creamy Italian dressing is so easy to make and takes as little as 5 minutes from start to finish. This recipe yields enough dressing to generously top four vibrant salads, but it’s easily adaptable. In fact, you can easily double or triple it to suit your needs. If you are planning on using it for more than one meal, it might be worth making extra as it stays fresh for up to two weeks. Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy the convenience and taste of homemade dressing that enhances every salad it accompanies!

Creamy Italian Dressing
Equipment
- dressing jar
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Sour cream
- 1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp Red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Basil
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Measure all ingredients into a dressing jar or mason jar.
- Shake to mix the ingredients.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes before using.
- This dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.