Savory Sweet Life

Simply Delicious Recipes for Everyday Living

Creamy Pesto Dressing

Last update: July 15, 2016 By Alice Currah 41 Comments


In my early twenties I used to wait tables at the Old Spaghetti Factory across the street from Pier 70 in downtown Seattle. It’s the type of family friendly restaurant where the energy is always high, flipping tables is a must, and the smell of spaghetti never washes out of your clothes. Most of the entrees are served as a budget-friendly three course meal. Free bread with garlic or plain butter, milk (tea, or coffee), side salad with your choice of dressing, entree, and a scoop of spumoni or vanilla ice cream for dessert. Back when I used to work there, all of this could be yours for under $10.

The most popular salad dressing choice was their creamy pesto dressing. Served on a bed of chopped iceberg lettuce and seasoned croutons, this salad dressing developed a cult-like following. People would come into the restaurant just to buy pints of this stuff! I used to spread it on bread, so good! 


Discovering a jar of pesto in the refrigerator today inspired me to make a copycat version of the salad dressing at home.  I’m very happy how my version turned out… just like I remember from when I worked there!


The recipe itself is very easy to make and tastes like you would expect; like a creamy ranch dressing except with a distinct pesto flavor.  Mix some buttermilk, sour cream, mayonnaise, pesto, and parmesan cheese.  That’s it.

Hope you enjoy this dressing as much as I do!


5.0 from 5 reviews
Print
Creamy Pesto Dressing
Author: Savory Sweet Life
Recipe type: Condiment
Prep time:  3 mins
Cook time:  1 min
Total time:  4 mins
Serves: 1 cup
 
A copycat recipe of the Old Spaghetti Factory's Creamy Pesto Dressing.
Ingredients
  • ⅓ cup low-fat buttermilk
  • ⅓ cup mayonaise
  • ⅓ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons pesto
  • 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. Whisk all the ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
2.1.7

Filed Under: Condiment Tagged With: condiment, Dressing, easy, Gluten-Free, pesto, salad, Vegetarian

« Red Curry, Coconut, and Ginger Infused Steamed Clams
Buttermilk Pancakes »

Comments

  1. Lisa says

    September 20, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    Excellent. I did double and add a teaspoon of garlic powder. Also added some extra butter milk so it would not be as thick. Does anyone know how long the fridge life is?

  2. Shay says

    June 29, 2016 at 6:50 pm

    Ha! I worked at that exact same Spag in my early 20’s (late 90’s). You description of the smell that never washed out is so accurate. But to this day, I still crave and adore my Manager’s Special half meat/half myzithra, and salad with creamy pesto dressing. There are a couple copycat recipes out there that taste JUST like it, and it doesn’t use actual pesto but dried basil. I am gonna give yours a try tonight and see what I think. Thanks for sharing!

  3. Dori Lewis says

    April 7, 2014 at 9:47 am

    I love the creamy pesto dressing recipe to use with my own homemade pesto I freeze each year.

  4. Karyn says

    September 20, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    Greatas written.. Added a bit more salt pepper and about a tablespoon of pesto to taste. Would also be good with Dijon mustard perhaps some anchovy for different version

  5. Michelle says

    July 29, 2013 at 10:41 pm

    Thank you for this recipe! I added a smidge more pesto because I really wanted that flavor to come through. And I used 1/4 c of all the other wet ingredients because I didn’t want as much left over. But the flavor was amazing!!! For anyone interested, I calculated that 2 tbsp of this is 3 WWP points. Not too bad!! I served it on a salad with some simple sautéed shrimp and steamed green beans on the side — it was heaven! This is Pinned forevermore and I KNOW I will use it over and over. A winner!!

  6. Ashlynn says

    March 26, 2013 at 4:58 am

    Thank you very much I just loved that dressing!! I really did want to buy a pint of that good stuf!
    They served its in Honolulu Hawaii!!

    Thanks again MAHALO!!

  7. Marcy says

    February 20, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    Mine was a bit too think so I suggest adding more milk until desired consistency. I also like a more prominent pesto flavor and didnt taste it much, so if you are like me you will need an extra tablespoon of pesto (maybe a little less).

    Overall a yummy dressing though!

  8. Sherri says

    January 22, 2013 at 6:14 pm

    I used to work at Spag. factory in downtown Fullerton,CA. And yes that meant for about 4 years I always smelled like spaghetti!!! I Used to sneak this dressing home all of the time. And eat it with crackers on my break!!! Just made this and it’s in my fridge (but not for long.) Thank you so much recipe!!!

  9. Kate says

    September 17, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    I love their salads!! I am swapping my original plan for dinner tonight with this!

  10. Shreya says

    September 16, 2012 at 3:22 am

    Tried it out yesterday and it was delicious. Everyone really appreciated it. Thank you so much for the recipe. Making it again today 🙂

  11. Mimi says

    March 9, 2012 at 3:28 am

    I made this dressing tonight and it was delicious. Thank you for the recipe

  12. Jessica Jordan says

    February 18, 2012 at 9:20 pm

    Your dressing recipe sounds wonderful. I do not tolerate mayo well, can you recommend any substitutions that wouldn’t alter the flavor?
    Thanks!

  13. Melanie Flinn says

    January 25, 2012 at 10:30 pm

    This looks SO good to me. I am a salad lover and adore homemade dressing. I will definitely try this- love that it’s so simple!

  14. hapua02 says

    January 24, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    P&O house dressing is the BEST! Do you have the copycat recipe for that?? Since Costco stopped selling it I’ve been stressing, and now that the restaurants are (temporarily??) closed, I’m dying for it!

    HELP! 🙂

  15. Wendi @ Bon Appetit Hon says

    January 9, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    Alice, I whipped up some of this dressing over the weekend and I cannot stop thinking of reasons to open the container and have a taste. It is sublime.

  16. CarolinaGirl says

    January 9, 2012 at 11:39 am

    Sarah, you can make butter milk with milk and lemon juice/vinegar, not sure of the exact portions but you could find it online.

« Older Comments

If you've enjoyed this free recipe (or post), please support us by recommending and sharing it with others in your social networks. Thank you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe:  

HELLO

Hi, and welcome to Savory Sweet Life. I am so glad you are here! My name is Alice Currah and you'll find easy delicious recipes to feed your family and other useful tips for everyday living. Continue reading more about Alice....

RECIPE SEARCH

Categories

Savory Sweet Life participates in affiliate programs including Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. SSL may earn fees linking to products and services at no additional cost to you.

MOST POPULAR

  • Buttercream Frosting – How to Make Buttercream Frosting
    Buttercream Frosting – How to Make Buttercream Frosting
  • How to Microwave Salmon
    How to Microwave Salmon
  • How to Roast Garlic
    How to Roast Garlic
  • Shaping Perfect Hamburger Patties
    Shaping Perfect Hamburger Patties

SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL

Alice-Currah-Cookbook

Copyright © 2023 · Savory Sweet Life | Alice Currah

Privacy Policy