Welcome to a culinary journey through Italy with our delectable Italian-Style Chef Salad with Creamy Pesto Dressing. This vibrant and refreshing salad is a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Get ready to savor a delightful combination of crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, vibrant bell peppers, savory Kalamata olives, and irresistible artichoke hearts. The crowning glory of this salad is the creamy pesto dressing, a luscious blend of fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. This dressing adds a burst of aromatic and nutty flavor to every bite. In addition to the main recipe, we also offer variations to cater to different dietary preferences and tastes. Craving a vegan option? We've got you covered with our Vegan Chef Salad, featuring hearty chickpeas and a tangy lemon-tahini dressing. Looking for a gluten-free alternative? Our Gluten-Free Chef Salad uses quinoa as the base and a zesty avocado-lime dressing. And for those who love a bit of heat, the Spicy Chef Salad with Chipotle Dressing packs a flavorful punch. With so many options to choose from, there's a perfect Italian-Style Chef Salad for everyone.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
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! :).
THE OLD SPAGHETTI FACTORY CREAMY PESTO DRESSING
Pesto makes salad dressing taste flavorful and fresh.
Provided by Stephanie Manley
Categories Salad
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Whisk together the mayonnaise and oil.
- Add the cheese, buttermilk, basil, garlic, salt,and hot pepper sauce to your liking. Mix well.
- Cover and allow flavors to blend and mature overnight in your refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 310 kcal, Carbohydrate 1 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 34 g, SaturatedFat 16 g, Cholesterol 12 mg, Sodium 290 mg, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
ITALIAN-STYLE CHEF SALAD WITH CREAMY PESTO DRESSING
Make and share this Italian-Style Chef Salad with Creamy Pesto Dressing recipe from Food.com.
Provided by yooper
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 10m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- To prepare the Creamy Pesto Dressing, stir together the mayonnaise or salad dressing, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, pesto, and garlic in a small bowl.
- Stir in milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to make of desired consistency; set aside.
- Divide the greens among four individual salad bowls or serving plates.
- Arrange the mozzarella or provolone cheese, ham or turkey, salami or prosciutto, tomato, yellow or green pepper, onion and artichoke hearts over the greens.
- Drizzle with the Creamy Pesto Dressing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 258.9, Fat 15.2, SaturatedFat 8, Cholesterol 57.7, Sodium 851.3, Carbohydrate 13.7, Fiber 5, Sugar 3.4, Protein 18.2
CREAMY ITALIAN DRESSING I
A wonderful, thick dressing - my favorite.
Provided by Cathy
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Salad Dressing Recipes Italian Dressing
Time 10m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a blender or food processor, combine mayonnaise, onion, vinegar, and sugar. Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 139 calories, Carbohydrate 2.4 g, Cholesterol 7 mg, Fat 14.6 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.2 g, Sodium 153 mg, Sugar 1.5 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Look for fresh, ripe vegetables, flavorful cheese, and a good quality pesto.
- If you don't have time to make your own pesto, you can use a store-bought variety. Just be sure to choose one that is made with fresh basil.
- To save time, you can cook the chicken or shrimp ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. This will make it easy to assemble the salad when you're ready to serve it.
- If you're short on time, you can also skip the hard-boiled eggs or use pre-cooked bacon.
- For a vegetarian version of this salad, omit the chicken or shrimp and add some extra vegetables, such as roasted bell peppers or marinated artichoke hearts.
Conclusion:
This Italian-style chef salad with creamy pesto dressing is a delicious and refreshing meal that is perfect for a summer lunch or dinner. It is packed with fresh vegetables, flavorful cheese, and protein-rich chicken or shrimp. The creamy pesto dressing adds a delicious and tangy flavor to the salad. This salad is sure to please everyone at your table.
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