The Best Caesar Salad Recipe

Caesar Salad with homemade croutons and parmesan next to fresh lemon and fork.

5 from 9 votes

Made with crisp romaine lettuce, salty parmesan, homemade croutons, and the best homemade Caesar Dressing, this Caesar Salad is worthy of a 5-star restaurant, yet easier to make than you think!

Prep Time10

Total Time10

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings:

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

For Croutons

4 cups cubed bread cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon onion powder
⅛ teaspoon pepper

Caesar Dressing

½ cup Mayonnaise
1 clove garlic finely minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
½ teaspoon anchovy paste optional
pinch of kosher salt and pepper

For the Salad

½ cup Caesar Dressing or one recipe as stated above
2 hearts of romaine lettuce
1½ cups croutons
½ cup Parmesan Cheese ribbons or shredded

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For Croutons

Preheat the oven to 350℉/175℃. Toss 4 cups cubed bread with 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper to evenly coat the bread. Spread the seasoned cubes out evenly onto a rimmed sheet pan, being careful to not overlap the cubes. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the croutons are just golden, flipping halfway through cooking. Allow the croutons to cool slightly before adding them to the salad.

For the Dressing

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the ½ cup Mayonnaise, 1 clove garlic (grated), 2 tablespoons lemon juice, ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese, and ½ teaspoon anchovy paste until well combined. Taste and add a pinch or two of salt and pepper as needed.

For the Salad

Wash and dry 2 hearts of romaine lettuce until completely dried. Chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
Add the lettuce to the bowl with the ½ cup Caesar Dressing (prepared or store-bought). Toss the lettuce with the dressing until evenly combined.
Top the salad with 1½ cups croutons and ½ cup Parmesan Cheese (grated) and serve immediately.

Notes

Dressing: Any leftover dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days in an airtight container.

Croutons: Use any good quality bread you like, like a baguette or Italian bread. Leftover croutons can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place like the pantry, for up to 7 days after cooling.

Storage: Once assembled, the Caesar Salad is best served immediately to keep the croutons from becoming soggy.

Nutrition