How to Make Salad Dressing Like Olive Garden's, or Not!

There are so many copycat recipes out there today, I have to wonder if any of them are from disgruntled employees who have snagged these recipes for revenge. One thing I like, well I guess the only thing I like about Olive Garden is their soup, salad, and bread stick lunch. It is hearty, endless, and very filling. Their soup may have been made in vats from their distributor but it hits the spot. But I must say their salad dressing is tops, probably also made in large vats no where near Italy. This is a delicious dressing and if it was served to me without the "hey this is just like Olive Garden's!" I would still love it.

Creamy Italian Dressing (sorta like Olive Garden's)
1 Pkt Good Seasons Italian Dressing made according to package directions
3 T. mayonnaise
2 T. sugar
2 T. good extra virgin olive oil
3 T. Parmesan cheese, grated

Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth and creamy. Serve over your favorite Salad. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

What are some of your favorite copycat recipes? Please comment!

Robin Sue

13 comments:

Cindy and Co. said...

You kinda have to be from GA to really appreciate this, but the Varsity is an old drive in downtown that just rocks...This is their Chili recipe...it goes on the Chili Cheeseburger too...and OH YUM:

Varsity Hot Dog Chili

1 lb. ground beef
2 cup water
3 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp garlic powder
1 to 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Bring water to a boil and add ground beef. Reduce heat and simmer for about five minutes until meat is brown. Add chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until water is evaporated. Blend with a hand mixer until meat is chopped fine.

Veronica said...

I love the recipe for "Burger King" chicken tenders in Devin Alexander's cookbook "Fast Food Fix". They're not as fatty as the fast food version, but they do manage to capture the same flavors.

That Girl said...

I used to work at a restaurant known for their Guacamole. I seriously made it a million times a night. As soon as I started working there I began getting requests from friends and family. Now I'm asked to make it at every part I go to. I have the recipe in my blog.

MrOrph said...

I make a pretty good Penne Rustica from the Macaroni Grill. It's on my site.

This dressing looks delicious, though I don't like much at OG, I do like the salad and breadsticks.

Lisa said...

Oh thank you! I am not a big Olive Garden fan but like you LOVE their dressing and breadsticks.

I love PF Changs lettuce wraps and make them with the copycat recipe. It is all over the internet.

Robin Sue said...

Cindy and Co- Thanks for the recipe. I love chili on burgers as well. In NC we put chili and coleslaw on our burgers.

Veronica- A fast food cookbook, you can't get any better than that! Thanks!

ThatGirl- I love a good Guac. I will come on over and get it from your blog! Thanks a lot!

MrOrph- Will have to check out your recipe. I am a sucker for pasta and I do like Mac Grill over OG.

Lisa- I do love PFC lettuce wraps but did not know of a copy cat. Will have to seek this one out for sure. Thanks for letting me in on this one.

Kristen said...

I adore the Sonic strawberry cheesecake shake copycat recipe. To die for!

Anonymous said...

I made this using balsamic vinegar, so it was a lot darker than the one you have pictured. I used it to top a salad of bibb lettuce, sharp white cheddar cheese, and shaved apples. Heavenly! Danielle

Robin Sue said...

Danielle- Glad you liked it. Tonya told be about you making it but I am glad you commented to give the particulars! I love apples with Sharp cheddar! And nothing beats a good balsamic dressing!

Anonymous said...

Soup is hearty--not hardy

Robin Sue said...

Anon- Thanks!

Anonymous said...

that starwberry cheescake shake sounds so delicious!!!:)

Robin Sue said...

Anon- doesn't it though, will have to hunt down that recipe!