Classic Creamy Italian Dressing Recipe for Salads & Marinades

I needed a creamy Italian dressing for a recipe and couldn’t find any at my local grocery store. I discovered this simple, flavorful homemade version that works wonderfully on salads and sandwiches. (Yes—sandwiches. I use a variation of this dressing in place of mayonnaise on one of my favorite sandwiches, and it transforms the sandwich for the better.)

Give It A Rest

This dressing benefits from resting in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight so the flavors can meld. Shake or stir it well before serving to recombine any separated ingredients.

For more dressing ideas, check out my new site, Dress My Salad, for lots of inspiration.

Creamy Italian Dressing

A quick, homemade creamy Italian dressing that’s perfect for greens and a fresh swap for mayonnaise on sandwiches.

Course Dressing

Cuisine American

Keyword creamy, homemade salad dressing, Italian

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Fridge 4 hours

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 8

Calories 1596 kcal

Author Mike

Equipment

Blender

Ingredients

1 cup mayonnaise
½ small onion, rough chopped (start with less and adjust to taste)
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon white sugar
¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

Combine the mayonnaise, chopped onion, and red wine vinegar in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Add the sugar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the onion and seasonings as needed—onions vary, so start small and add more if desired.
Transfer the dressing to a covered container.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is best) before serving. Stir or shake well before using.

Notes

Stir or shake the dressing again before serving to recombine any separation. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.