Creamy Pesto Dressing

This simple creamy pesto dressing is delicious on any salad! Plus, it only requires 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to make.

I love a good homemade salad dressing! This one is great even with some simple greens and homemade croutons, but also pairs well with our Steak and Tortellini Salad.

Pesto dressing recipe

an Old Spaghetti Factory favorite

Hello my Pesto lovers! This super simple recipe is inspired by one of our favorite restaurants – Old Spaghetti Factory. Have you been there before? They serve a small salad before each meal and it’s topped with the most delicious Creamy Pesto Salad Dressing, which is what we tried to re-create for you today.

I don’t know about you, but salad is something we always have in our fridge, although it doesn’t always get eaten unless we have a yummy dressing to go with it. Fortunately, this Pesto dressing is very simple and is so delicious, that it will turn any salad into a million bucks!!

Yes, we love ranch and the other classic bottled dressings, but sometimes you just can’t do any better than homemade dressing. If you love pesto, we highly recommend trying this simple recipe. It really is delicious and adds so much flavor to the salad. We usually just add croutons, but adding some shaved Parmesan or chicken strips would be even better. 😉

Basil plant close up

5 Ingredients + 5 Minutes!

This pesto dressing only takes five ingredients to make this delicious dressing!

  • low-fat buttermilk
  • mayonnaise
  • sour cream
  • pesto
  • grated parmesan cheese

All you have to do is whisk all the ingredients until well combined. Keep it refrigerated in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve. ENJOY!

Pesto salad dressing in container

Tips, Substitutions, and Storing

Variations: If you like it spicy, add some paprika, cayenne or some hot sauce. Not only does this creamy pesto dressing taste great on a salad, you can use it for a vegetable dip, sandwich spread and even a chicken marinade. Try it on these recipes:

Substitutions: For a creamier dressing use full fat buttermilk. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand you can make your own. Fill it the rest of the way with milk. You can also use plain yogurt/greek yogurt instead of mayo, and of course try making your own homemade pesto!

How to ripen your avocado: This recipe calls for a very ripe avocado and the ones found at the grocery store are usually still a bit firm. You can get your avocado to ripen faster by putting it in a brown paper bag, along with one apple or banana, fold over the top, and leave the bag on the counter for a couple of days.

Storage: Store this dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Pesto salad dressing recipe

For more delicious dressings:

Pesto Salad Dressing Recipe

5 from 12 votes
This simple creamy pesto dressing is delicious on any salad! Plus, it only requires 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to make.
Course Dressing
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 1277 kcal
Author Lil' Luna

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 3 tbsp pesto
  • 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl, whisk all the ingredients until well combined.
  • Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. ENJOY!

Recipe adapted from Savory Sweet Life

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About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Comments:

  1. 5 stars
    Oh, this is really delicious ! You’re right – it tastes great on everything! Was so tired of pesto and we have sooooo much basil!Thank you

  2. 5 stars
    I often go to lunch at The Old Spaghetti Factory!!! They are good for a satisfying, quick and cheap lunch 🙂
    Lovely dip here, I’m afraid they don’t have it in the menu here 🙁
    Maybe I can request it!

  3. 5 stars
    Hi KRISTYN MERKLEY, you look gorgeous and this reciep is looking absolutely delicious. Surely gonna try this, thanks for sharing.

  4. 5 stars
    I am so glad I found this recipe! I had this dressing at a restaurant & I loved it! So, glad I can make it at home now.

  5. 5 stars
    Pesto Dressing is a favorite! The flavor is like nothing else. We love to dip it in bread and put it on salads too. Really I would just eat it by the spoonfuls if I knew I could get away with it….lol!

  6. 5 stars
    The pesto really makes a great FLAVOR addition in a simple salad. I think adding steak or grilled chicken would be really good.