Best bottled Italian dressing for pasta salad?

[sksjasams]

I have to make pasta salad for about 100 people tomorrow.

I'm looking for recommendations for bottled Italian dressing.
I think I thought Olive Garden was too thick last time I tried it.

A friend recommended Newman's Own Parmesan and Roasted Garlic, but I've never tried it and don't know if it's actually Italian dressing.

Any suggestions? Thank you!

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I like the Good Seasons packets the best but Kraft Zesty Italian will do in a pinch.

 

[Marchand63]

I actually don't use Italian dressing. Use Christies Lite Greek, much more flavor.

 

[QueenIsabella]

I use Walmart (Great Value) fat free. I don't like the extra oil from the full-fat versions when I make pasta salad.

 

[Disney_traveler]

I mix some regular zesty Italian with balsamic dressin

 

[bcla]

I wouldn't get bottled if you can help it. The packets are generally much better and all you really need is ordinary vegetable oil and white vinegar, although some use apple cider vinegar.

If you're making that much pasta, I'd assume you'll be prepared for the containers to make that much dressing. There are foodservice versions that make more and cost less. You can find the oil and vinegar pretty cheap at warehouse stores, but if you don't have a membership then maybe a foodservice store (we have one called Smart and Final around here).

 

[Poohforyou]

Ken's northern Italian is good.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I like Kens dressings. But I like some different choices. I use pintrest to find dressings as well. You may find some that are much better than a bottle. I love different spices and think wow that may go good with something else I am using. That way you know what you are putting into your family's food.

 

[Wendy31]

When I'm using bottled dressing for our pasta salad, I use either Kraft Zesty Italian or Kraft Tuscany Italian.

But, then, in addition to the dressing, I shred some Parmesan cheese on top.

And I always receive compliments.

 

[Micca]

Geez I don't even like pasta salad and now you've all got me craving it!

 

[bookgirl]

I don't much mind what brand I use (I'm a fan of Kraft dressings) but the low fat versions seem to work better. The full fat is a little slimy on the pasta for me.

 

[Meriweather]

I use Ken's. DD is picky and she likes that one

 

[cabanafrau]

I wouldn't get bottled if you can help it. The packets are generally much better and all you really need is ordinary vegetable oil and white vinegar, although some use apple cider vinegar.

If you're making that much pasta, I'd assume you'll be prepared for the containers to make that much dressing. There are foodservice versions that make more and cost less. You can find the oil and vinegar pretty cheap at warehouse stores, but if you don't have a membership then maybe a foodservice store (we have one called Smart and Final around here).

It won't take incredible amounts of dressing for pasta salad for 100 people.

I got rave reviews when I used the Good Seasons packet with a nice fig vinegar.

 

[Jennabeth]

I find that the dressing doesn't matter as long as you use McCormick's Salad Supreme seasoning. That's the key to amazing pasta salad.

 

[Happiest.Haunt_999]

Ken's Zesty Italian (it even comes in a 24oz bottle some places) if you need that.

 

[bcla]

It won't take incredible amounts of dressing for pasta salad for 100 people.

I got rave reviews when I used the Good Seasons packet with a nice fig vinegar.

I guess a gallon of vinegar and a gallon of soybean oil should do it. I used a 1.33 gallon jug of Heinz vinegar over a year, although it was mostly for pickling and cleaning. It cost maybe $3.25 at Costco. I guess one could also spend extra on some fancy olive oil instead of a neutral vegetable oil.

I kind of wonder what would be used to cook enough pasta for 100 people. I remember the time my uncle came back from the East Coast with cases of lobsters, and we were boiling them in a humongous enamel pot.

 

[RN2003AZ]

I honestly love the Olive Garden Italian for my pasta salad. I thought it was just thick enough to stick! I used tri color pasta, tomatoes, cukes, red onion, black olives, chickpeas, and cubed fresh mozzarella. Was a huge hit at the pot luck at work!!

 

[mom2rtk]

I swear my kids would drink Kraft Light Italian dressing by the gallon if I let them. We use it on a lot of things though. As a marinade, on vegetables, in pasta salads. It's a lot of taste without too heavy of an oil feel or taste.

 

[Minnesota!]

I just use whatever is on sale. The pasta salad I make has so much flavor from everything else going on in it, the dressing is not the stand out

 

[Minnesota!]

I find that the dressing doesn't matter as long as you use McCormick's Salad Supreme seasoning. That's the key to amazing pasta salad.

YESSSSSSSS! Key to a good pasta salad, really.