Let me tell you, this Italian pasta salad dressing is an absolute game changer! It’s not just a dressing; it’s a burst of flavor that transforms any pasta dish into something special. I still remember the first time I whipped it up for a summer barbecue. The vibrant mix of olive oil, red wine vinegar, and spices instantly elevated my simple pasta salad, making it a crowd favorite! You can drizzle it over roasted veggies, use it as a marinade for grilled chicken, or simply toss it with your favorite greens. Trust me, once you try this dressing, you’ll want to keep a jar handy at all times. It’s that versatile and oh-so-delicious!
Ingredients List
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
How to Prepare Instructions
- First things first, grab a medium-sized bowl. Pour in the olive oil and the red wine vinegar. You want to start with these two as the base because they create that fabulous flavor we’re after.
- Next up, add in the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. This is where the magic happens! Each ingredient adds a layer of flavor that just sings together.
- Now, it’s time to whisk! Grab a whisk or a fork and blend everything together until it’s well combined. You want it to be smooth and slightly emulsified. This should take about 30 seconds—just enough time to get that arm workout!
- Once it’s looking beautiful, stir in the chopped fresh parsley for that pop of color and freshness. It not only looks pretty but adds a lovely touch of flavor too.
- Finally, taste your dressing! Don’t be shy—if you feel it needs a little more salt or pepper, adjust it to your liking. And just like that, you’ve got yourself a fabulous Italian pasta salad dressing! It’s ready to drizzle, toss, or marinate!
Nutritional Information Section
Now, let’s talk numbers! This Italian pasta salad dressing is as delightful for your taste buds as it is for your waistline. Each serving (about 2 tablespoons) packs an estimated 120 calories, with 14g of fat (including 2g of saturated fat). You’ll find it low in carbohydrates and sugar, with no protein or cholesterol. Remember, these values are estimates, so feel free to adjust based on your ingredients and serving sizes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare—whip it up in just 10 minutes!
- Rich and zesty flavor that enhances any dish.
- Versatile dressing perfect for pasta salads, marinades, and drizzling over veggies.
- Made with simple, wholesome ingredients you probably already have at home.
- Vegan-friendly, so everyone can enjoy it!
- Can be easily customized with your favorite herbs and spices.
Tips for Success
Okay, let’s make this Italian pasta salad dressing even better! First off, don’t hesitate to play with the herbs and spices. If you’ve got fresh basil or thyme, throw them in for an extra flavor boost! And if you like a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can really elevate it!
When it comes to storage, keep your dressing in a sealed container in the fridge, and it’ll stay fresh for about a week. Just remember to give it a good shake before using because, you know, oil and vinegar tend to separate. If you plan to use it as a marinade, let your ingredients sit in it for at least 30 minutes to soak up all that deliciousness. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Variations
Now, let’s have some fun and shake things up with your Italian pasta salad dressing! One of my favorite twists is to swap out the dried oregano for fresh basil or even some dill. Fresh herbs bring such a vibrant flavor that really brightens up the dressing!
If you’re a fan of tanginess, try adding a splash of lemon juice or some zest for an extra zing. For a bit of sweetness, a teaspoon of honey or agave syrup can balance out the acidity beautifully. Feeling adventurous? Toss in some crushed red pepper flakes for a kick or even a dash of smoked paprika for that lovely depth.
And don’t forget about incorporating different mustards! A whole grain mustard adds texture, while spicy brown can give it a nice bite. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative and make this dressing your own!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storing your Italian pasta salad dressing is super easy! Just pour any leftovers into a sealed container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for up to a week. Before you use it again, give it a good shake or stir to mix everything back together, as the oil and vinegar tend to separate. No reheating needed—just drizzle and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
The beauty of this Italian pasta salad dressing is how versatile it is! Drizzle it over a fresh garden salad for that extra zing, or toss it with some grilled vegetables for a perfect side dish. It’s also fantastic as a marinade for chicken or shrimp before grilling. And let’s not forget about pasta salads—mix it with your favorite pasta, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella for a delightful meal. You really can’t go wrong!
For more delicious salad ideas, check out Caprese Salad with Fresh Basil or Greek Salad with Feta and Olives.
Additionally, if you’re interested in the health benefits of olive oil, you can read more about it here.
Imprimer
Italian Pasta Salad Dressing: 5 Reasons You’ll Adore It
- Temps Total: 10 minutes
- Rendement: 1 cup 1x
- Alimentation: Vegan
Description
A simple and flavorful Italian pasta salad dressing that elevates your pasta dishes.
Ingrédients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine olive oil and red wine vinegar.
- Add Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Whisk until well blended.
- Stir in fresh parsley.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Notes
- Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
- Shake well before using.
- Can be used for marinating vegetables or meats.
- Temps De Préparation: 10 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 0 minutes
- Catégorie: Dressing
- Méthode: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 120
- Sucre: 0g
- De Sodium: 200mg
- La graisse: 14g
- Graisses Saturées: 2g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 10g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 1g
- La fibre: 0g
- La protéine: 0g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 0mg
Mots-clés: Italian pasta salad dressing, pasta dressing, salad dressing
