Italian dressing is like the little black dress of the kitchen pantry—it goes with nearly everything that’s savory, and can be dressed up or down easily. Like a high-quality vinegar or crunchy coarse sea salt, Italian dressing can be used as a final flourish to add zippy flavor to roasted or grilled veggies, salads, dips, or even grilled or roasted proteins. Marinating meats or vegetables in Italian dressing prior to cooking imparts robust flavor without the need to add any extra seasoning or even oil before heating. When you’re short on time, inspiration, or are just looking for a minimalist way to add big flavor with little effort, these recipes using Primal Kitchen Italian Dressing & Marinade and Primal Kitchen Dreamy Italian are for you.

One Skillet Italian Chicken 

This herby, zesty one-skillet dish really is a winner-winner chicken dinner. Our version uses chopped red onions, sliced cherry tomatoes and a generous bunch of fresh parsley, but use whatever you have on hand to whip this one up. Diced zucchini, quartered mushrooms, whole garlic cloves, fresh thyme or even dried parsley or herbs de provence would work beautifully as well.

Gluten-free Italian Pasta Salad 

This salty, briny, and a tiny bit sweet gluten-free pasta is a cinch to throw together at the end of a long workday. All you need are five simple ingredients (salt and pepper too), 15 minutes, and bam—dinner on the table.

Italian Antipasto Skewers 

Who doesn’t love to eat food off of a stick? There’s something pleasurably Primal about it. These elegant skewers are ideal cocktail party or potluck buffet food. You can marinate the fresh mozzarella balls and sliced artichoke hearts in Italian dressing before spearing, or simply serve the dressing in a bowl as a drizzling sauce.

Whole30 Zoodle Primavera with Shrimp 

Whole30, dairy-free, paleo/Primal and even keto-friendly, this zoodle primavera can easily be turned vegan too if you simply replace the shrimp with green peas or broccoli. The three-ingredient sauce uses only Italian dressing, nutritional yeast, and soaked cashews. Brilliant, quick, and tasty.

Dreamy Italian Cauliflower Wings 

Craving the crisp, breaded goodness of deep-fried mushrooms or zucchini sticks, but not willing to splurge? Try these smoky, spicy, salty oven-roasted cauliflower wings lightly coated with almond flour, paprika, garlic, and avocado oil spiked with hot sauce. The nutty breading creates a crisp exterior that contrasts the yielding, roasted and lightly caramelized interior.

Gluten-free Instant Pot Italian Pasta 

Talk about a one-pot meal. Only you don’t have to wait for water to come to a boil on the stove, then drain out the starchy cooking liquid—when you cook pasta in an Instant Pot, you throw in all of the ingredients and liquid at once. If you’re a member of camp tomato-cream sauce, you’ll love this Primal/paleo spin on this classic sauce.

Italian Pesto White Fish Packets 

When you want something light but heavier in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, this baked halibut recipe is a great go-to. Flavored with Primal Kitchen Dreamy Italian Dressing, lemon, garlic, and parsley, the mild white fish gets steamed in a parchment packet. Dice or slice any veggies you have in the crisper drawer and add them on the bottom of the packets before placing the fish on top, and that’s dinner done without a lot of dish duty after.

Pesto Kelp Noodles

If you’re looking for a cheese-free pesto recipe that actually tastes good, look no further. We blended Primal Kitchen Dreamy Italian Dressing with pine nuts, basil, salt, cherry tomatoes, extra virgin avocado oil, and avocado—for extra richness—and it makes a creamy, delectable sauce for any veggie-based noodle.

Grilled Chicken Salad 

This easy grilled chicken salad is a vintage one that starts with a bed of greens topped with grill-kissed chicken slices. But we added some pizzazz with crumbled smoky bacon, avocado, and pumpkin seeds. Top this with either our classic Italian or Dreamy Italian, find a sunny spot outside to sit, and dig in.