Description
A classic Caesar salad featuring crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy homemade croutons, shaved Parmesan cheese, and a tangy, creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Perfect as a side salad or a light lunch, this recipe balances fresh, savory flavors with satisfying textures.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Croutons
- 4 cups cubed crusty bread
- Extra-virgin olive oil (for drizzling)
- Sea salt (for sprinkling)
For the 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
For the 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 garnish)
Instructions
- Make the croutons: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the cubed bread with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt, then spread evenly on the baking sheet. Bake for 18 minutes until golden and crisp. Remove and let cool.
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl or measuring cup, whisk together mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, Worcestershire sauce, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese. If the dressing is too thick, thin it by adding water one teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Assemble the salad: Place the chopped romaine lettuce in a large bowl. Add half the dressing, half the croutons, and half the shaved Parmesan cheese. Toss gently to coat evenly. Add more dressing if needed, tossing to your liking. Season with additional pepper and top with the remaining croutons, shaved cheese, and a few grinds of pepper before serving.
Notes
- The dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Use day-old bread for the best texture in croutons.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Worcestershire sauce adds umami depth, but omit for a vegetarian version.
- Shave Parmesan with a vegetable peeler for elegant salad topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
