Kitchn Love Letters

This Creamy, Cheesy Salad Dressing Is My New Go-To for Almost Everything

published Sep 3, 2022
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Trenette al Pesto (linguine type pasta with potatoes, green beans, and basil pesto) on a white circular plate, on top of a blue napkin with white stripes
Credit: Laura Rege

I am a sauce girl, through and through. My fridge is loaded with condiments, and I’m always on the hunt for new sauce options to add to my arsenal. But honestly, I never knew there was a dressing missing from my collection until one appeared and became an instant — and surprise — standby. 

I’ve never been a big fan of classic Italian salad dressings because the typical grocery store versions felt a bit too syrupy and sweet to me. Being a diehard fan of all things vinegar, I’d usually opt for something lighter, like a balsamic vinaigrette. But my mind was changed completely by Carandini Italian Cheese Dressing

Credit: Annie Burdick

What’s So Great About Carandini Italian Cheese Dressing?

The dressing is a simple blend of ingredients: concentrated wine must, sweet white vinegar, wine vinegar, and, the star, Parmigiano Reggiano. Rich and creamy and totally unique, it’s tart and just a little bit sweet with an umami-rich cheesiness from the Parmesan. And honestly, it makes just about anything taste better. 

What’s Are the Best Ways to Use Carandini Italian Cheese Dressing?

The dressing is always a good call for salads, but most often I find myself using it on a panini or homemade Italian sub for an extra punch of flavor. In the summer, I use it in pretty much every pasta pasta salad dressing I make. I mix it with some olive oil and other ingredients I have on hand and feel inspired by — Dijon mustard, fresh basil, garlic, vinegar, etc.

I’ve also mixed it with pesto to make a deliciously creamy pasta sauce and have added it to marinades and dips. It’s not usually the star of the show, but it’s that background ingredient you don’t realize is essential until you take it out. 

Best of all, the dressing isn’t particularly hard to come by, nor is it a budget-breaker. I stock up at Whole Foods, where a sizable bottle costs me $6. (You can also find it online for slightly more.) It’s worth every penny — especially since I use every last drop. 

Buy: Carandini Italian Cheese Dressing, $8.99 for 8.45 ounces at Whole Foods

Do you have a favorite store-bought salad dressing? Tell us about it in the comments.