This Italian Pesto Salad dressing recipe is perfect to be served on a salad with pizza. Keto and Paleo friendly also!
Pesto Salad Dressing
Sometimes a takeaway, or delivered pizza is just what you need – you know the situation – it has been a long day, and all you want to do is flop on the sofa with Netflix and a glass of wine or three and let someone else bring your supper to you.
We do not order delivery pizzas that often, but when we do I do try and make a salad to go with them, we usually have a bag of leaves of some sort in the fridge and I am sure that a portion of vegetables offsets the pizza somehow.
This dressing is given a kick of basil with the addition of a spoonful of pesto, as well as a good squeeze of lemon. I never seem to get through that much pesto, so once I open a jar I keep in the freezer, the oil in the pesto stops it freezing rock solid so it is always easy to scoop a spoonful out, and pop the jar back into the freezer.
A simple pesto vinaigrette that pairs perfectly with a takeaway pizza. This dressing is given a kick of basil with the addition of a spoonful of pesto and is sweetened with a dash of honey. Keto and Paleo friendly.
- 4 tbsp good quality olive oil
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp pesto
- 2 tsp mustard (mild)
- 2 tsp honey (maple or agave)
- salt & pepper to taste
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Place all the ingredients in a jar. Screw the lid on tightly and give a good shake.
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Adjust the seasoning and serve over salad leaves.
If you want this to be vegan, use vegan pesto and agave or maple syrup rather than honey.
It will keep for 4 days in the fridge. Shake well before each use.
This dressing is perfect on cold pasta for a salad.
Freeze leftover pesto into individual portions in an ice cube tray.
Nutritional Information:
- This reciep is 1 Weight Watchers Smart Point per portion
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We ate our salad with this pesto salad dressing alongside the new Papa John’s Premium Hawaiian pizza, made with fresh pineapple and ham hock served on a thick layer of mozzarella, which we were very impressed with. It is undoubtedly an American-Italian style pizza, with a thick – but not too thick base, a puffy soft crust and a generous amount of topping. The ham hock was richly flavoured, and the fresh pineapple juicy and not sweet.
The large pizza at £16.49 was probably enough for 3, but we managed to polish it off, but did leave a few crusts, the medium at £13.49, or the thin crust, would have been the less gluttonous option, and I think would have still been more than enough. I find most delivery pizzas are fairly salty and make me very thirsty, but for once I was not gasping for water within half an hour.
All in all the pizza was a win, with quality ingredients and the important lack of salt, and we’d certainly order (a smaller) one again, when next in the mood for an American style pizza, or during a movie night with friends.
And if you love pesto flavour, you may want to try my Carrot Top Pesto!
Our pizza was from the Papa John’s Hammersmith branch,
356 King Street
Hammersmith
W6 0RX
0208 748 0099
Recipe and review commissioned by Papa John’s, who also sent us a pizza for review. All opinions our own.
Isabella
My husband adores pesto, this salad dressing would be right up his street! I never thought to freeze half used jars – I must give this a go! That pizza looks delicious, a pizza wine and netflix eve is just what I need!
Helen
We were so impressed with the pizza. I always freeze the half full jars as if they are in the fridge I forget and they go mouldy every time.
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Like you we rarely order pizza, but when we do salad – a big one – is a must, covering more than half of the plate as an exercise in damage limitation. Your simple tasty dressing looks great for not only the salad but as a crust dip too!
Helen
Good idea on the crust dip Kellie! I think I put the leftovers into a simple bean dip for the next day.
Nayna Kanabar
I also enjoy a salad with our pizza, and the dressing you have shared is delicious I will have to try it.
Helen
Always a salad with a pizza!
Camilla
I love Hawaiian Pizza and this one looks fabulous. Funnily enough my daughter has been begging me to try Papa John’s pizza as it’s a brand we’ve yet to encounter! I think this may have tipped the scales:-) Loving the tip for the pesto as the last bit always seems to go mouldy in the fridge!
Helen
We were really impressed Camilla. It is definitely an American style pizza, not too doughy or soft. The fresh toppings were very good – richly flavoured pork and juicy pineapple.
Katie Bryson
I’m always on the hunt for a new salad dressing idea and this sounds glorious Helen – as does that ham hock and pineapple pizza! Takeaway pizza is so expensive, it really is a rare treat for us. I love your tip about freezing pesto!
Helen
Here is to jars of pesto in the freezer!
Holly Lamb
Lovely fresh looking salad, just in time for spring. Thanks!
Helen
SO easy to make with that half jar of pesto.
Francis Stewart
I havent had a Hawaiian pizza for years, and such a great looking salad accompaniment.
Helen
It was a really good pizza.
Maggie Hudson
There are times when only a friendly moped bearing pizza will do. Nice salad.
Helen
I agree. Pizza delivery is wonderful, and one reason not to live in the country!
Clifford
There is something very wrong that’s so right about a Hawaiian pizza. Nice salad too.
Helen
Gammon and pineapple is the classic combo!
Sonya Curry
Tasty change from a standard vinaigrette! A nice treat to go with a pizza
Helen
So easy to make too!
Jacqueline Meldrum
We don’t have Papa Johns here, I actually thought it was a restaurant and not a takeaway. Tasty dressing Helen. I’m now in the mood for pizza and salad.
Helen
It was a really good takeaway Jac, good honest American style pizza.
Jan
Dressing had nice flavour. I would cut back on the honey next time. This salad went well with sausage penne.
Amy McCord
Nice, bright flavors with just a hint of sweet from the honey! The first time I made this, I served it wit Smoked Salmon Mousse and Avocado Stuffed Pasta Shells. The dressing cut through the saltiness of the smoked salmon and it was an awesome compliment to the dish. Serving on salad tonight. This dressing is awesome! Thanks for this recipe…it will be a staple in our house!
Helen
i am so pleased that you like this Amy! it sounds delicious paired with smoked salmon.
Zara Douglas
Brilliant idea to freeze the pesto. I am forever throwing away part jars that I find at the back of the fridge.
Maggie T
I love your thinking that salad outweighs the pizza. The dressing is truly delicious and we often have it now that I found your recipe.