Creamy Parmesan Dressing – The Flavor Boost Your Salads Have Been Waiting For

Hey friends! If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to level up your salads, roasted veggies, or grain bowls, you’re going to love this Parmesan Dressing. It’s tangy, savory, and has a little kick of red pepper for some extra warmth. And trust me, the combo of Parmesan, olive oil, garlic, and a dash of anchovy paste makes it irresistible! This dressing is packed with healthy fats and antioxidants, so it’s not just delicious—it’s also doing good things for your body, especially if you’re looking to support skin health and heart health as you age.

Why I Love This Dressing

What I love most about this Parmesan Dressing is how simple it is to make with just a few ingredients you probably already have. And while it’s amazing over greens like kale, it’s just as perfect for drizzling over roasted potatoes or using as a dip for fresh veggies. It’s got a ton of flavor, so a little goes a long way, and it’s versatile enough to work with whatever you have in the fridge. Plus, it’s loaded with benefits for heart and skin health, thanks to a few star ingredients!

Parmesan Dressing

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Elevate your salad game with my Parmesan dressing, featuring one of my favorite ingredients - garlic!

Did you know garlic not only adds an irresistible flavor to your dishes but also offers a host of health benefits? From boosting your immune system to supporting heart health, it's a tiny ingredient with big impact.

This Parmesan dressing is so simple and goes with just about anything but is thoughtfully made to go with my Tuscan Kale Salad.

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Course dressing, Sauce

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Equipment

• Mortar and Pestle optional
• fine grater
• med bowl
• Whisk
• Airtight Container for storage

Ingredients

  

• 1 clove garlic minced
• ¼ tsp fine sea salt
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• juice of one lemon
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• ¼ tsp anchovy paste
• cracked black pepper

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Instructions

 

• Using a mortar and pestle or the back of a spoon, mash the garlic with ¼ teaspoon salt until it forms a smooth paste.
  1 clove garlic, ¼ tsp fine sea salt
• Transfer the garlic paste to a small bowl, then add the cheese, oil, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and anchovy paste.
  ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, juice of one lemon, ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, ¼ tsp anchovy paste
• Whisk all the ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Taste, and add cracked pepper or more salt if desired.
  cracked black pepper
• Drizzle over your favorite salad, roasted veggies, or use it as a dipping sauce. Alternatively, you can store in your refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days.

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Tips for Making the Best Parmesan Dressing

Here are a few simple tips to make sure your dressing comes out smooth and flavorful every time:

1. Use a Mortar and Pestle (or Spoon) for the Garlic
   Mashing the garlic with salt is key to getting a smooth texture. I like to use a mortar and pestle, but if you don’t have one, you can also use the back of a spoon in a small bowl. This step mellows out the garlic and ensures it mixes evenly with the other ingredients.
2. Fresh Lemon Juice for the Brightest Flavor
   Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always better than bottled when it comes to dressings. It adds that fresh, zesty kick that really balances the richness of the Parmesan and olive oil.
3. Whisk Well for Emulsion
   Whisking the ingredients together until they’re fully combined is key to getting that creamy, silky dressing texture. You’ll notice it comes together beautifully and coats your greens perfectly!

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Making homemade dressing is incredibly easy, especially if you have these tools on hand:

1. Mortar and Pestle
   A mortar and pestle are great for mashing garlic and salt into a paste, giving your dressing a smooth texture and more concentrated flavor.
2. Microplane Grater
   For the Parmesan, a microplane or fine grater helps create fluffy, fine shavings that dissolve well into the dressing.
3. Whisk and Small Bowl
   A simple whisk and bowl are all you need to bring the dressing together and ensure everything is well-mixed.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Health Benefits of Parmesan Dressing

1. Olive Oil for Heart Health
   Extra-virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest fats out there. It’s high in monounsaturated fats, which are great for lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and reducing inflammation. Research from Harvard Medical School shows that olive oil’s high antioxidant content may help reduce the risk of heart disease, which is especially important for women over 50.
2. Parmesan Cheese for Bone Support
   Parmesan isn’t just delicious—it’s also high in calcium and protein, both of which are essential for strong bones. Calcium, in particular, becomes even more important as we age to support bone density. Studies from The National Institutes of Health have shown that maintaining adequate calcium intake can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis in older adults.
3. Lemon Juice for Antioxidants and Vitamin C
   A squeeze of fresh lemon juice not only brightens the flavor of this dressing but also adds a good dose of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C supports skin health by helping to boost collagen production and can give the immune system a little boost, too. According to Oregon State University, vitamin C is crucial for skin health and immune function, especially as we age.

This Parmesan Dressing is seriously one of the easiest ways to add flavor and nutrients to your meals. It’s got a creamy texture with that perfect balance of savory, tangy, and just a hint of heat. Perfect for salads or even as a spread on sandwiches! Let me know if you give it a try, and don’t forget to share your favorite way to use it.