This easy homemade Italian dressing recipe is a Northern Italian dressing that’s better than store-bought and delicious on salads and more!

Homemade Italian dressing is the best! I always prefer to make my own salad dressing since it is healthier and tastes better. Not only does making your own dressing allow you to control what goes in it, but it also allows you to control the flavor and adjust it to your preference.
This easy, creamy, Northern Italian vinaigrette recipe is flavorful and ready in 5 minutes! It pairs well with many types of salads, including pasta salad, like this Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad, and is also wonderful poured over chicken, tofu, seafood, and veggies like haricots verts or roasted asparagus, or used as a dip for bread. I hope you enjoy!

Northern Italian Dressing
Northern Italian dressing includes cheese to create a rich, creamy Italian dressing in contrast to a traditional Italian vinaigrette. This Northern Italian dressing recipe tastes similar to Olive Garden’s Northern Italian vinaigrette but without the unhealthy ingredients and additives. It pairs perfectly with this Italian Salad!

Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe Ingredients
This easy homemade Italian dressing recipe needs just a few ingredients to make a healthy salad dressing that is sugar-free, gluten-free, and can be made vegan as well.
- olive oil
- vinegar
- lemon juice
- Parmesan cheese or Plant-Based Parmesan
- Italian seasoning
- garlic
- salt & pepper

More Salad Dressing Recipes…
- Apple Cider Vinaigrette
- Chimichuri
- Cobb Dressing
- Dijon Dressing
- Greek Salad Dressing
- Green Goddess Salad Dressing
- Honey Balsamic
- Maple Vinaigrette
- Sunflower Tahini Dressing
Easy Italian Dressing
This easy Italian dressing recipe can be made in 3 ways and includes how to make creamy Italian dressing.
Here is how to make Italian dressing at home in 5 minutes or less!
Add the Italian seasoning, parmesan, garlic powder, vinegar, and lemon juice to a bowl and whisk to combine, then whisk in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add all ingredients to a mason jar, then shake well to combine.
Store the Italian dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Creamy Italian Dressing
To make a creamy Italian dressing, add all of the ingredients to a small food processor or blender, then blend to combine. This creates a thicker, creamy Italian vinaigrette dressing.
Italian Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup vinegar (white vinegar, red wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar all work.)
- ½ cup Parmesan, Romano, or Plant-Based Parmesan (grated)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (or 2-4 garlic cloves minced)
- salt & pepper to taste (I use about ½ tsp of salt and pepper)
Instructions
- Add the Italian seasoning, parmesan, garlic powder, vinegar, and lemon juice to a bowl and whisk to combine, then whisk in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Or you can add all ingredients to a mason jar, then shake well to combine. Store the Italian dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Creamy Italian Dressing
- To make creamy Italian dressing, add all ingredients to a small food processor or blender, then blend to combine. This creates a thicker, creamier Italian dressing.
Notes
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More Easy Italian Recipes
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Basil Pesto Sauce
- Cauliflower Risotto
- Chicken Diavolo Pasta
- Creamy Italian Ravioli
- Creamy Pesto Pasta
- Caprese Pasta Salad
- Creamy Cauliflower Pasta
- Baked Tilapia with Garlic Lemon Butter
- Garlic Herb Baked Salmon
- Creamy Mushroom Pasta
- Italian Roasted Shrimp
- Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta
- Healthy Italian Breakfast Skillet
- Aperol Spritz
- Mushroom Aglio e Olio
- Creamy Tortellini Soup
- Low Carb Marinara
- Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Italian Herb Bread
- Pasta Primavera
- Parmesan Chicken Piccata
- Parmesan Garlic Bread
- Pesto Chicken and Veggies
- Tomato Basil Soup
- Italian Herb Walnuts
- Skillet Chicken in Garlic Tomato Sauce
- Spinach Alfredo Spaghetti Squash
- Sage Butter Ravioli
- Tuscan Cauliflower Rice
- Tuscan Shrimp Pasta
- Zuppa Toscana

