If you’re a fan of Olive Garden salad like me, you’ll love this easy to make at home version. The dressing, which is essentially a creamy Parmesan Vinaigrette, is a close copycat to the famous Olive Garden dressing.
Everyone’s favorite salad is actually not that hard to make at home. The salad itself is simple – lettuce (I prefer romaine over iceberg), tomatoes, olives, onions, croutons and peppers. Notice I left out the peppers – don’t like them, never have.
The dressing is pretty simple – mayonnaise, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, olive oil and some Italian seasoning. I tried out a few different recipes that I found before coming up with my own, which is more of a combo of a few that I tried.
The Parmesan cheese is what really makes the dressing, and the salad is just so pretty. I love the bright colors! And did you know you can get Olive Garden croutons in the grocery store? I found them at my local Ralphs so I’m not sure they have them at other stores.
Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat
Print Pin RateIngredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- Juice from half a small lemon
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a seal-able jar and shake until completely combined. Pour over salad.
For more salads and salad dressings, try these:
Crunchy Ramen Noodle Salmon Salad
For all salad recipes go HERE and for the recipe index go HERE.
Hi! I’m Kristin, the creative mind behind Yellow Bliss Road where you will be inspired by tons of easy to follow recipes, lots of free printables, and a little sprinkling of life thrown in for good measure.
I have been making Olive Garden’s Copy Cat salad since it appeared in our local paper back in the late 80’s, way before the internet. However, that recipe did not include the dressing. We had company for dinner last week &I made this salad including the dressing. I a man here to testify the dressing takes this salad to a whole new level of awesomeness. Now I am someone who hates raw onion but have found if you let the salad marinate in the dressing about an hour before serving it cuts the onion taste.
Oh that sounds perfect! Yes you have to have the dressing with the salad!!
Fabulous !! The salad looks so special. I would to prepare this salad tonight. Thanks Kristin.