The Perfect Caesar Salad with Dressing Recipe for Zesty Meals

Crisp romaine leaves dance with a classic caesar salad dressing that whispers culinary magic.

Anchovy-packed flavor weaves through every verdant bite.

Parmesan cheese crumbles create delightful texture across green landscapes.

Crunchy croutons add unexpected architectural crunch to each forkful.

Tangy notes spark unexpected excitement in this timeless dish.

Minimal ingredients promise maximum satisfaction for hungry souls.

Caesar Salad With Dressing Crunchy Creamy Classic

• Quick Kitchen Magic: Craft a restaurant-quality Caesar salad with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Customize Your Culinary Creation: Mix and match ingredients to suit personal taste preferences, making this recipe wonderfully adaptable for different palates.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare dressing and croutons ahead of time, allowing for speedy weeknight dinner assembly or last-minute lunch solutions.
• Budget-Friendly Gourmet: Transform simple ingredients into a sophisticated dish without expensive restaurant prices, saving money while enjoying premium flavors.

Caesar Salad Ingredients with Dressing

• Romaine Lettuce: Fresh, crisp green lettuce perfect for Caesar salad, best when dark green leaves are used.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese for topping, preferably freshly grated for best flavor.

• Baguette, French Bread: Sturdy bread for creating crunchy croutons, day-old bread works best.
• Olive Oil: Helps toast croutons and adds rich flavor.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic punch to croutons, fresh garlic recommended.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base for dressing, provides smooth texture.
• Lemon Juice: Adds bright, tangy flavor to balance the richness.
• Anchovy Paste: Delivers classic Caesar dressing umami depth, can substitute with worcestershire sauce.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds subtle spicy undertone and helps emulsify dressing.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Contributes complex savory notes.
• Black Pepper: Provides mild heat and aromatic spiciness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds depth and saltiness to dressing, freshly grated preferred.
• Milk or Water: Optional thinning agent for adjusting dressing consistency.

Caesar Salad With Dressing Steps

Step 1: Whip Up Creamy Dressing

Grab your food processor or blender.

• Mayonnaise
• Lemon juice
• Garlic
• Anchovy paste
• Dijon mustard
• Worcestershire sauce
• Black pepper
• Parmesan cheese

Pulse everything until smooth and blended.

If the mixture feels too thick, splash in some milk or water to reach your perfect consistency.

For a rustic touch, you can also whisk everything by hand in a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Craft Crunchy Garlic Croutons

Fire up your oven to 375°F.

Take a baguette and slice or tear into bite-sized cubes.

Mix olive oil with minced garlic in a small bowl.

Drizzle the garlic-infused oil over bread pieces and sprinkle generously with parmesan cheese.

Spread croutons in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, giving them a quick toss halfway through to ensure even browning.

Pull out when golden and crispy.

Let cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Step 3: Assemble Vibrant Salad

Wash and dry romaine lettuce.

Chop or tear into delightful bite-sized pieces.

Transfer to a large serving bowl.

Shower with fresh parmesan shavings and your homemade croutons.

Drizzle with the creamy dressing you made earlier.

Gently toss to coat every leaf with delicious flavor.

Serve immediately and enjoy your restaurant-quality Caesar salad!

Caesar Salad Tips For Creamy Dressing Balance

• Adjust thickness by adding milk or water gradually, ensuring smooth, pourable texture without losing flavor intensity.
• Spread bread cubes in single layer during baking, preventing soggy spots and guaranteeing crispy, golden-brown edges.
• Pat romaine leaves completely dry before chopping to prevent watery salad and help dressing cling better.
• Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a heartier meal that transforms this classic salad into a complete dinner.
• Replace anchovy paste with Worcestershire sauce or capers for similar umami flavor if avoiding fish ingredients.

Caesar Salad Keeps Best with Dressing on Side

• Store leftover salad components separately in airtight containers. Keep dressed salad in the fridge for 1-2 days maximum to maintain crispness.
• Seal homemade Caesar dressing in a mason jar or sealed container, refrigerate for up to 5 days. Shake well before reusing.
• Store cooled croutons in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 7 days. Keep away from moisture to maintain crunchiness.
• Refresh cold salad by adding fresh lettuce and crisp croutons just before serving to restore texture and flavor.

Flavors That Fit Caesar Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a zesty Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the tangy Caesar dressing, cutting through its richness with bright, refreshing acidity.
• Enhance with Grilled Protein: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon to transform the salad into a complete meal, providing protein that harmonizes with the creamy dressing and crunchy croutons.
• Match with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside a rustic sourdough or artisan baguette to soak up extra dressing and add textural contrast, creating a more satisfying dining experience.
• Balance with Chilled Appetizer: Start with a light cucumber gazpacho or caprese salad to prepare the palate for the bold flavors of the Caesar salad, creating a balanced and refreshing meal progression.

Caesar Salad Makeover Tips

• Vegan Caesar Salad: Replace mayonnaise with silken tofu, use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan, and swap anchovy paste for capers or miso paste to maintain umami flavor.
• Gluten-Free Crouton Alternative: Use cubed gluten-free bread or replace croutons with toasted nuts like almonds or pumpkin seeds for added crunch and nutrition.
• Protein-Packed Version: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or plant-based protein like roasted chickpeas to transform the salad into a complete meal.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Incorporate roasted red peppers, kalamata olives, and swap traditional dressing with a lighter Greek-inspired vinaigrette for a Mediterranean spin.

FAQs

• What makes homemade Caesar dressing different from store-bought versions?

Homemade dressing offers fresher ingredients, allows you to control the flavor intensity, and lets you adjust seasoning to your exact taste. You can customize the tanginess, saltiness, and richness by tweaking ingredient proportions.

• Is anchovy paste essential for Caesar dressing?

Anchovy paste provides the classic umami flavor that defines authentic Caesar dressing. If you’re not a fan of anchovies, you can reduce the amount or substitute with worcestershire sauce for similar depth of flavor.

• Can I make Caesar dressing without raw eggs?

Modern Caesar dressing recipes often use mayonnaise as a base, which eliminates the raw egg concern. This method creates a safer and more stable dressing while maintaining the creamy texture and rich taste of traditional recipes.

• How do I prevent my croutons from becoming soggy?

To keep croutons crispy, always add them to the salad just before serving. Store them separately in an airtight container, and only toss with the salad right before eating to maintain their crunchy texture and prevent moisture absorption.

Caesar Salad with Dressing Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crisp romaine lettuce gets elevated in this classic Caesar salad, featuring a zesty homemade dressing that perfectly balances tangy and creamy notes. Fresh parmesan and crunchy croutons complete this timeless dish, inviting you to savor each refreshing bite.

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Ingredients

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Cheese:

• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded or shaved parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Base Ingredients:

• 8 cups romaine hearts, chopped
• 1/2 French baguette (about 340 grams / 12 ounces), cut into cubes (3/4 inch or preferred size)

Dressing and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (1 large lemon)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt, to taste (optional)

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Instructions

1. Craft the zesty dressing by blending mayonnaise, tangy lemon juice, pungent garlic, umami-rich anchovy paste, sharp Dijon mustard, robust Worcestershire sauce, cracked black pepper, and nutty parmesan cheese in a food processor until smoothly integrated.
2. Adjust the dressing’s consistency by incorporating a splash of milk or water if it appears too dense, ensuring a silky, pourable texture.
3. Prepare crispy croutons by heating the oven to 375˚F and transforming a baguette into rustic, bite-sized cubes or irregular pieces.
4. Infuse olive oil with minced garlic, then generously coat the bread pieces, sprinkling with additional parmesan for extra flavor complexity.
5. Arrange the seasoned bread on a baking sheet, spreading in a single layer to ensure even toasting, and bake for 15-20 minutes, rotating midway to achieve golden, crunchy perfection.
6. Allow croutons to cool completely, preserving their crisp texture in an airtight container for future use.
7. Thoroughly wash and meticulously dry romaine lettuce, then tear or chop into elegant, bite-sized segments.
8. Transfer the prepared lettuce to a spacious serving vessel, cascading with delicate shavings or shreds of parmesan cheese.
9. Scatter the cooled, crunchy croutons over the lettuce landscape.
10. Drizzle the vibrant, homemade dressing across the salad, gently tossing to ensure each leaf is luxuriously coated with flavor.

Notes

• Customize the dressing by adjusting anchovy paste intensity for milder or bolder flavor profiles depending on personal preference.
• Opt for fresh garlic cloves instead of pre-minced for more vibrant, robust taste that elevates the entire salad experience.
• Transform this classic recipe into a protein-packed meal by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for vegetarian alternatives.
• Store homemade croutons in a sealed container with a paper towel to absorb moisture and maintain crispy texture for longer periods.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 47 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg