Classic Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons

This Caesar salad features crisp homemade croutons and a light Caesar dressing, perfect for impressing your guests.

Recipe Details

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Servings: 4 servings as a side salad

Full Ingredient List

  • 1 large or 2 small heads of romaine lettuce
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved
  • 1/2 French baguette, cut in half and thinly sliced (1/4" thick)
  • 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper

Croutons

Tools and Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Knife
  • Oven

Ingredients

Quantity Name Preparation Notes Substitutions
1/2 French baguette cut in half and thinly sliced (1/4" thick)
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp minced garlic
2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350˚F. Cut the baguette in half lengthwise and then slice diagonally into 1/4" thick pieces. Place on a baking sheet.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 1 tsp of finely minced garlic. Drizzle the garlic oil over the croutons and sprinkle with 2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese.
  3. Step 3: Toss until evenly coated. Spread in a single layer over the baking sheet and bake until light golden and crisp (10-12 minutes), or to desired crispness.

Caesar Salad Dressing

Tools and Equipment

  • Bowl
  • Whisk

Ingredients

Quantity Name Preparation Notes Substitutions
2 small cloves (1 tsp) minced garlic
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp sea salt or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper plus more to serve

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, dijon mustard, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and red wine vinegar.
  2. Step 2: Slowly drizzle in extra virgin olive oil while whisking constantly until emulsified.
  3. Step 3: Whisk in sea salt and black pepper, or season to taste.

Caesar Salad

Tools and Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl

Ingredients

Quantity Name Preparation Notes Substitutions
1 large head (or 2 small heads) romaine lettuce rinsed, dried, and chopped or torn into bite-sized pieces
1/3 cup, shredded or shaved parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine romaine lettuce and sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese and cooled croutons. (Tips: Use a potato peeler for parmesan shavings.)
  2. Step 2: Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss gently until lettuce is evenly coated.

Additional Information

Notes: The croutons recipe makes enough for 2 full salads or 8 servings. Store croutons in an airtight container for several days.

Tags

Salad Italian Easy