The Old Spaghetti Factory’s Creamy Pesto Salad Dressing Copycat
This creamy pesto salad dressing merges mayonnaise and buttermilk with dried basil, garlic powder, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a tangy and herbaceous flavor. Its thickness allows it to cling well to greens, offering a mild garlic and basil lift. The dressing is straightforward to prepare and chilled before serving to heighten the flavor melding.
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.