Description
This classic Caesar salad features crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy homemade croutons, shaved Parmesan cheese, and a tangy, creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, lemon juice, and garlic. Perfect as a delicious side salad or a light lunch, this easy-to-make recipe combines fresh ingredients with a rich, flavorful dressing to satisfy your salad cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Croutons
- 4 cups cubed crusty bread
- Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
- Sea salt for sprinkling
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Pinch sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salad
- 1 pound romaine lettuce (about 2 medium heads, chopped or torn into bite-size pieces)
- ½ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
- Freshly ground black pepper for topping
Instructions
- Make the croutons: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the bread cubes on the baking sheet. Drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, then toss to coat evenly. Spread the cubes out on the baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 18 minutes, until golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Make the dressing: In a large liquid measuring cup or medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ¼ cup olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, Worcestershire sauce, sea salt, and several grinds of black pepper until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and taste to adjust seasoning. If the dressing is too thick, add water 1 teaspoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Assemble the salad: Place the chopped romaine lettuce in a large bowl. Add half of the dressing, half of the croutons, and half of the shaved Parmesan cheese, then toss gently to coat everything evenly. Add more dressing if desired and toss again. Season to taste, then top with the remaining croutons, remaining Parmesan cheese, and freshly ground black pepper before serving.
Notes
- The homemade croutons add a delicious crunch and can be stored in an airtight container for several days.
- The dressing keeps well in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- For a lighter version, you can use low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt in the dressing.
- Use freshly grated and shaved Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- Worcestershire sauce adds a depth of flavor but can be omitted for a vegetarian version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
