The Old Spaghetti Factory’s Creamy Pesto Salad Dressing Copycat
User Reviews
4.8
The Old Spaghetti Factory’s Creamy Pesto Salad Dressing Copycat
Description
The Old Spaghetti Factory’s Creamy Pesto Salad Dressing copycat is made by whisking together full-fat mayonnaise, low-fat buttermilk, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and finely grated Parmesan cheese. The fresh Parmesan adds a subtle sharpness and umami.
The combination yields a thick and creamy dressing with herb fragrance from the dried basil and a mellow garlic undertone. Chilling the dressing about 30 minutes in an airtight container helps the flavors blend and improves texture for coating salads.
Serve this dressing tossed with mixed greens or as a dip alongside vegetables. Using fresh or recently packaged dried basil is recommended to keep the basil flavor vibrant. Store-bought grated Parmesan can be used in a pinch but fresh-grated offers better aroma and texture.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (full fat)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk low-fat
- 1 Tbsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- salt 1 pinch
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly and finely grated
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk until well blended.
- Pour into an airtight container and refrigerate 30 minutes. Serve over green salad.
Notes
- For best flavor, use dried basil that is fresh and not stale; fresh finely chopped basil can substitute at one-third cup.
- Freshly grate the Parmesan cheese finely for the best texture using the finer side of a box grater, taking care to avoid injury.
- In a hurry, pre-grated Parmesan such as Kraft can be used but will have less freshness in flavor.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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