This Italian house salad is made with crisp greens, fresh vegetables, pepperoncini, plenty of freshly grated Parmesan, and an easy homemade creamy Italian dressing. It’s the perfect side salad for pasta night, pizza, or grilled chicken.

This Italian house salad is one of those versatile recipes you’ll find yourself making again and again. It’s the perfect sidekick to a yummy pasta dinner, grilled chicken, steak, or just about any meal that could use something fresh. It reminds me of the Italian house salads that arrive at your table before the entrées at your favorite Italian restaurant…the kind that’s so good you’re tempted to lick the plate clean. In our house, if I’m serving a salad, it’s almost always this Italian house salad when I’m craving extra veggies or my Caesar Salad (No Mayo) when I’m in the mood for something simple and classic.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

RESTAURANT WORTHY – It tastes just like an Italian restaurant salad. Crisp vegetables, tangy pepperoncini, plenty of freshly grated Parmesan, and a creamy homemade Italian dressing recreate that classic salad you can’t stop eating before your meal arrives
CUSTOMIZABLE –Use whatever vegetables you have in the fridge! Bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, artichokes, or shredded carrots all fit right in, making this a great clean-out-the-produce-drawer salad.
QUICK – It comes together in minutes. Aside from slicing a few vegetables and whisking together the dressing, there’s very little prep involved, making it an easy side dish for busy weeknights or dinner with friends.

Creamy homemade Italian dressing mixed in a mason jar with herbs and seasonings.

Homemade Creamy Italian Dressing

Let’s be honest, it’s all about the dressing. This homemade creamy Italian dressing is rich without feeling heavy, slightly tangy, and has that fresh, homemade flavor you just can’t get from a bottle. It comes together in just a few minutes with simple pantry staples—nothing fancy here.

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for topping an Italian salad with creamy Italian dressing.

What makes it an Italian House Salad?

There are a few simple things you can do to transform an everyday garden salad into an Italian house salad. The first is the most obvious—a homemade creamy Italian dressing, which we’ve already covered. It adds so much more flavor than anything you’ll find in a bottle.

Next, don’t skimp on the cheese. A generous handful of freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese tossed with the salad before adding the dressing takes it to the next level. Trust me, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been doing this all along.

Finally, every great Italian house salad needs a little something extra. Pepperoncini add that tangy, pickled bite that’s always my favorite part, and I also love tossing in a handful of olives for even more flavor.

One last tip: always toss the salad with the dressing before serving. Not only does it coat every piece of lettuce and distribute all of the toppings evenly, but it also gives the salad that classic Italian house salad feel.

Ingredients for homemade creamy Italian dressing including olive oil, red wine vinegar, mayonnaise, garlic, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

Ingredients you’ll need

for the salad

mixed greens – I like using a blend of crisp greens.
cherry tomatoes
cucumber
red onion
bell pepper
pepperoncini
freshly grated Parmesan cheese – Don’t be shy here! A generous handful of freshly grated Parmesan is one of the secrets to making this salad extra flavorful. Romano cheese is another great option.
Other great additions: black olives, sliced radish, artichoke hearts

for the creamy Italian Dress

extra virgin olive oil – Since it’s the base of the dressing, I recommend using a good-quality olive oil for the best flavor.
apple cider vinegar – Adds bright acidity with a slightly mellow flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy dressing.
mayonnaise – Just enough to make the dressing creamy without making it heavy.
garlic – Fresh garlic is always my recommendation for the best flavor.
dried oregano – Gives the dressing its classic Italian flavor.
granulated sugar – A small amount balances the acidity without making the dressing sweet.
salt and black pepper – Simple seasonings that bring all of the flavors together.

Fresh salad ingredients including mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, mini sweet peppers, cucumber, and sliced red onion on a cutting board.

What to serve with this Italian house salad

This salad goes great alongside a warm pasta dish or cozy soup – here are a few of my faves:

Fresh Italian house salad tossed with creamy Italian dressing and topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

How to make homemade creamy Italian dressing

A little chopping, a quick homemade dressing, and one good toss are all it takes to make this fresh Italian house salad.

Homemade creamy Italian dressing ingredients added to a glass jar before mixing.

Add the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, garlic, sugar, salt, black pepper, and oregano to a medium bowl or glass jar. Whisk well until smooth and combined.
Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing is emulsified. Alternatively, pour the olive oil into the jar, secure the lid, and shake vigorously until well combined.
Toss with your prepared house salad and serve immediately. The dressing may separate as it sits, so simply whisk or shake again before serving.

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