Italian Parmesan Dressing

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5 from 2 votes

This Italian Parmesan Dressing is a spot-on copycat of a Midwest fave–the beloved Pasta House Co salad dressing. It’s everything you want in a homemade Italian dressing: zesty, cheesy, with just the right balance of tang and savory goodness. Plus, it comes together in just minutes with pantry staples!

Pair it with our Italian House Chopped Salad for the ultimate combo. Trust us–your people will be asking for seconds (and thirds).

Table of Contents

Ingredients

If you grew up in the Midwest like we did, there’s a good chance you’ve sat down at a Pasta House Co. restaurant and immediately started dreaming about their famous house salad like our Italian House Chopped Salad. That tangy, garlicky, cheesy dressing? Absolutely unforgettable!

The ingredients are actually quite simple and, other than the jarred pimentoes, most are probably in your pantry right now. Take a look…

Italian Parmesan dressing ingredients measured out and labeled.

Tips and Tricks

Before you take about 3 minutes to make this, here are a few tips to know.

Meal Prep Friendly: Double the recipe and freeze a batch for later. It freezes well for up to 3 months—just leave 1 inch of headroom in your jar for expansion.
Shake It Up: Separation is natural. You may want to warm in the microwave for 5-10 seconds if it was stored in the fridge. Then, just shake well before each use.

Make It Your Own: Want a little kick? Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes, dried Italian seasoning, or fresh chopped herbs.

How to Make & Store Homemade Italian Dressing

Ready to get after it? All you do is combine all the ingredients in a mason jar with lid and shake until combined well. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if desired. That’s it!

Then, store it in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for 3+ months (be sure to leave 1 inch of headroom in the jar for expansion in the freezer).

How to Serve Italian Parmesan Dressing

This dressing was made for our Italian House Chopped Salad with homemade croutons, but it’s also amazing drizzled over grilled chicken, tossed into pasta salads, or used as a marinade for roasted veggies. It’s a versatile, flavor-packed staple you’ll reach for again and again.

Stainless steel salad tongs lifting a serving of Italian house salad from a white serving dish.

FAQs

Can I use a different kind of vinegar?

While red wine vinegar is the classic Italian choice, you could replace it with white wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar (like in our Balsamic Parmesan Viniagrette, which is delicious!).

How long does it last in the fridge?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it will last for 1-2 weeks. Be sure to give it a good shake before using, as natural separation will occur. You can also microwave it for 5-10 seconds to help loosen it up after it’s been refrigerated.

More Homemade Salad Dressings

We hope this homemade Italian Parmesan Dressing brings a little extra joy (and a lot of deliciousness) to your table.

5 from 2 votes