Classic Caesar Salad with Crispy Homemade Croutons Recipe
A classic Caesar Salad recipe featuring crispy homemade garlic croutons, a creamy anchovy-infused Caesar dressing, and fresh romaine lettuce. Perfect for a light lunch or a flavorful side dish, this salad combines crunchy textures and tangy, savory flavors for a timeless favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Croutons:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- 3 cups cubed bread such as baguette or sourdough (150g)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
For the Dressing:
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise (160g)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced or grated
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (20g)
For the Salad:
- 1 large head romaine lettuce (12 ounces, 340g)
- ⅓ cup shredded or shaved Parmesan Cheese (30g)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the Croutons: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, whisk together the grated garlic and olive oil. Add the cubed bread and sprinkle with salt, then toss everything together to ensure the bread cubes are evenly coated. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the croutons are golden brown and crisp.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, olive oil, finely minced garlic, anchovy paste, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Add the freshly grated parmesan cheese and stir to combine thoroughly. Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning with additional lemon juice, salt, or pepper as desired. This will yield approximately 1 cup of dressing.
- Assemble the Salad: Wash and thoroughly dry the romaine lettuce leaves. Chop or tear them into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large serving bowl. Toss the lettuce with your preferred amount of the Caesar dressing to coat evenly. Top the salad with shredded Parmesan cheese and the freshly baked garlic croutons. Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste. Serve remaining dressing alongside the salad for those who want extra.
Notes
- Use sturdy bread like sourdough or baguette for croutons for best texture.
- Dry the romaine well to ensure dressing sticks properly and salad is crisp.
- Anchovy paste can be substituted with finely chopped anchovies for a chunkier texture.
- Dressing can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days for enhanced flavor.
- Adjust garlic amount in croutons and dressing to suit taste preferences.
Keywords: Caesar Salad, homemade croutons, creamy dressing, romaine lettuce, classic salad
