Best 7 Pesto Italian Salad Dressing Recipes
Pesto Italian salad dressing is a versatile and flavorful condiment that can be used to enhance a variety of dishes, from salads to pasta to roasted vegetables. Made with a combination of fresh basil, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic, pesto originated in Liguria, a region in northern Italy, but similar sauces have been enjoyed throughout the Mediterranean for centuries. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy dressing or a more complex and flavorful option, there is a pesto Italian salad dressing recipe out there to suit your taste.
Let's cook with our recipes!
EASY PESTO SALAD DRESSING
This simple Italian-inspired pesto vinaigrette recipe is fresh, vibrant and easy to make. Perfect on any salad as a main course or as a side dish with Italian food. (Easily vegetarian and vegan)
Provided by Helen Best-Shaw
Categories Dressing
Time 3m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place all the ingredients in a jar. Screw the lid on tightly and give a good shake.
- Adjust the seasoning and serve over salad leaves.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 61 kcal, Carbohydrate 1 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 6 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 1 mg, Sodium 45 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
PESTO ITALIAN SALAD DRESSING
In this recipe I use my own pesto which I make in the summer, freeze in ice cube trays, then store in a freezer zip top bag. I use about half a cube for this recipe.
Provided by Donna Matthews
Categories Sauces
Time 10m
Yield 3 cups
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Measure all ingredients into a glass jar.
- (I use the 3 cup canning jar that my favorite spaghetti sauce comes in.).
- note: you may substitute 2 teaspoons dry mustard for the Dijon style mustard.
- Shake well.
- Store in refrigerator.
- After several days, you may wish to remove the garlic cloves.
CREAMY PESTO SALAD DRESSING
I needed a salad dressing for an Italian dinner one night, and I wasn't in the mood for a vinaigrette. At our house, anything with pesto is a winner! :) This is a very thick salad dressing (especially if you use regular mayo), so you don't have to get your salad greens scrupulously dry - the excess water will loosen up the dressing.
Provided by CraftScout
Categories Salad Dressings
Time 2m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Whisk to combine. Dress salad! :).
PASTA SALAD WITH LEMON-PESTO DRESSING
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 20m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it.
- Place pesto, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, tomatoes, scallions and cheese in a large bowl.
- Cook pasta to al dente then cold shock it and chill it down under cold running water. Drain well. Add to mixing bowl. Combine salad and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
GARDEN PESTO PASTA SALAD
My family and I live on a homestead in the Missouri Ozarks and produce much of our own food. In the summer, when the garden is bursting with fresh vegetables and it's too hot to cook, I like to use the season's veggies for pasta salads and other cool meals. -Sarah Mathews, Ava, Missouri
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 15m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water and drain well., Meanwhile, whisk together pesto, vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in oil until blended., Combine vegetables and pasta. Drizzle with pesto dressing; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, until cold, about 1 hour. Serve with Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 217 calories, Fat 11g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 339mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
SMALL BATCH DILL PESTO
Dill pesto is one of my favorite ways to kick up the flavor on broiled or baked fish. It's also very good served over grilled or roasted veggies. I used a small bunch of dill.
Provided by lutzflcat
Categories Pesto Sauce
Time 10m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place dill fronds (a few stems are OK), walnuts, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes into the bowl of a food processor. If you have a mini or small food processor, it will be large enough for this recipe.
- Pulse until everything is minced well, scraping down the sides as necessary. With the machine running, drizzle in the olive oil, blending for a few seconds until smooth.
- If not serving immediately, store the pesto in an airtight container and chill until ready to use.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 168 calories, Carbohydrate 4.8 g, Cholesterol 2.2 mg, Fat 16.9 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 2.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 175.2 mg
TORTELLINI PESTO SALAD
Wonderful pasta salad. So different from the Italian dressing pasta salads. Very hearty side dish or main dish for lunch. Crunchy veggies and rich pesto sauce.
Provided by Jenny Saunders
Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place tortellini in the pot, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, until al dente. Drain, and cool.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked tortellini, red bell pepper, broccoli, carrots, olives, and garlic.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, pesto, milk, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and vinegar. Pour over the tortellini and vegetables, and gently toss to coat. Cover, and place in the refrigerator 1 hour, until chilled. Serve over spinach leaves.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 382.8 calories, Carbohydrate 26.1 g, Cholesterol 31.3 mg, Fat 27.3 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 11.2 g, SaturatedFat 6.2 g, Sodium 614.6 mg, Sugar 3.1 g
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- If you don't have basil on hand, you can substitute another fresh herb, such as parsley, cilantro, or mint.
- To make a vegan version of the dressing, use olive oil instead of butter.
- Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Use the dressing on salads, grilled vegetables, or even as a marinade for chicken or fish.
Conclusion:
Pesto Italian salad dressing is a delicious and versatile dressing that can be used on a variety of dishes. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you're looking for a new salad dressing, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love