Description
This homemade Caesar Salad is packed with crunch, creaminess, and bold flavors! Featuring crispy garlic croutons, fresh romaine lettuce, and a rich, tangy Caesar dressing, this classic recipe is perfect as a side dish or a complete meal with grilled chicken or shrimp. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s easy, fresh, and utterly delicious!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shaved
- 1 cup homemade garlic croutons (recipe below)
For the Garlic Croutons:
- 2 cups day-old bread, cubed
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan (optional)
For the Caesar Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Garlic Croutons
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, toss bread cubes with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.
- Spread onto a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy.
- Optional: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the croutons while warm for extra flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Caesar Dressing
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking constantly to create a smooth texture.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, then season with salt and black pepper.
- Refrigerate for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
- In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce and shaved Parmesan cheese.
- Drizzle with Caesar dressing, tossing gently to coat evenly.
- Add garlic croutons right before serving for maximum crunch.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
- Optional Additions: Top with grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy chickpeas for extra protein.
- Serve immediately and enjoy a restaurant-quality Caesar Salad at home!
Notes
✅ Make-Ahead Tip: Store croutons separately to keep them crunchy!
✅ Healthier Option: Swap mayo with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing.
✅ Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free bread for croutons.
✅ Dairy-Free: Substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
✅ Storage: Keep dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossed, Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg