Enjoy this light and delicious Easy Caesar Salad Recipe at home for a delicious meal. You can eat it plain or add chicken to make it a full meal. It is so flavorful and really simple.
Classic Caesar Salad is one of my favorite types of salad. I used to always buy the salad kits at the grocery store but now I just make my own. It is so easy, tastes better and I’m saving money too.
I have always wondered why this salad is so expensive at restaurants. It does not have many ingredients and is so simple. We love to top with the homemade creamy dressing for a delicious side dish. If you love salads, try Big Mac Salad.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Recipe
It is so easy and you probably already have what you need to make this. With only a few simple ingredients, this Caesar Salad is super easy and comes together very fast.
Save money and make this salad at home. You will save a ton of money from the salad kits at the grocery store and at restaurants. Add chicken to make chicken caesar salad for a delicious main dish idea.
Ingredients
- Bread – Use any type of bread that you prefer
- Olive Oil – We like using extra virgin olive oil but any oil works
- Italian Seasoning – Make Homemade Italian Seasoning Recipe with simple ingredients
- Parmesan Cheese – This is a classic salad topping, but you can use other types of cheese.
- Anchovy Filets – Anchovy paste will work as well.
- Minced Garlic – If using fresh garlic cloves, learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
- Worcestershire Sauce – If you are out, check out The Best Worcestershire Sauce Substitutes
- Raw Egg Yolks – This is a must
- Lemon Juice – We like using Fresh Lemon Juice
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.
How to Make a Caesar Salad
Step 1 – Cut the pieces of bread into 9 relatively even pieces. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Italian seasoning and Parmesan Cheese.
Step 2 – Toss the bread pieces in the mixture until well coated.
Step 3 – Place the bread pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-17 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely at room temperature and then the croutons are ready to use in your salad.
Step 4 – In a blender or food processor, add drained anchovy filets, garlic, egg yolk, lemon juice, Worcestershire and mustard. Blend until liquified and thoroughly combined.
Step 5 – Gradually add in the olive oil and vegetable oil into the blender or food processor until the dressing is the consistency that you prefer.
Step 6 – Add in grated Parmesan and pulse to blend. Add salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice to taste. Refrigerate in a sealed container until ready to use.
- Step 7 – Place the romaine lettuce in a large bowl.
- Step 8 – Drizzle with desired amount of dressing and toss until well coated.
- Step 9 – Sprinkle top with shaved Parmesan, croutons and black pepper.
- Step 10 – Then the salad is ready to serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Cubed Bread – Cut bread in about the same size pieces so they cook evenly and about the same time.
- Blending Salad Dressing – For the homemade Caesar salad dressing make sure to use a blender or a food processor for the best options. Check out these The 6 Best Blenders Under $100 of 2024 if you are needing a new one.
- Tossing Salad – Toss the salad ingredients with the caesar dressing for the best caesar salad recipe.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this salad alone for a great meal or side dish. It is also delicious topped with Grilled Chicken or Easy Air Fryer Salmon Recipe.
We often make grilled chicken one night and use the leftovers to top this Caesar salad recipe with. It makes a great meal and not to mention so very simple.
You can also top the salad with shrimp. It is so good! Grilled Parmesan Shrimp is a favorite around here and goes really well with this Caesar Salad recipe.
This dressing is one of our favorite salad dressing recipes and just so amazing. It goes with lots of different things. We have even made Chicken Caesar Wrap.
How to Store Leftover Caesar Salad
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If the salad is already made with the dressing, it will need to be eaten within about 2 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
We usually cut the Romain Lettuce to make Caesar but you can tear it as well. It is whatever you prefer.
It is hard to replace that delicious flavor that anchovies give to this classic recipe. But if you prefer not to add it, I would increase the Worcestershire Sauce to 1 ½ teaspoons.
Feel free to use any bread that you prefer. We have made them with simple white bread to leftover French Bread. They all turn out delicious and add the perfect crunch to our salad.
This salad is best served immediately after making it. You can prepare the ingredients and store them separately in the refrigerator. Then when ready to serve, combine in a large bowl and then serve.
More Easy Side Dish Recipes
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Easy Caesar Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the Croutons:
- 3 slices bread
- 2 Tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
For the Dressing:
- 3 Anchovy Filets
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Egg Yolk
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
- 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper (to taste)
For the Salad:
- 3 Romaine Hearts (leaves separated and chopped)
- 1/4 cup Shaved Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
For the Croutons:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut the pieces of bread into 9 relatively even pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Italian seasoning and Parmesan Cheese.
- Toss the bread pieces in the mixture until well coated.
- Place the bread pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes until browned.
- Cool completely at room temperature and then the croutons are ready to use in your salad.
For the Dressing:
- In a blender or food processor, add drained anchovy filets, garlic, egg yolk, lemon juice, Worcestershire and mustard.
- Blend until liquified and thoroughly combined.
- Gradually add in the olive oil and vegetable oil into the blender or food processor until the dressing is the consistency that you prefer.
- Add in grated Parmesan and pulse to blend.
- Add salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice to taste.
- Refrigerate in a sealed container until ready to use.
For the Salad:
- Place the lettuce in a large bowl.
- Drizzle with desired amount of dressing and toss until well coated.
- Sprinkle top with shaved Parmesan, croutons and black pepper.
- Then the salad is ready to serve and enjoy!