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The Ultimate Classic Caesar Salad with Homemade Creamy Dressing

A close-up of a fresh caesar salad topped with grated Parmesan cheese and crunchy croutons.
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Make a restaurant-style Caesar Salad at home quickly. This recipe focuses on crisp romaine, flavorful homemade Caesar dressing, and crunchy homemade croutons for a satisfying meal or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large heads romaine lettuce, washed and torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup homemade croutons
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
  • For the Homemade Caesar Dressing:
  • 2 large egg yolks (use pasteurized eggs if concerned about raw eggs)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional, for classic flavor)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Homemade Croutons: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut 4 cups of day-old bread into 1-inch cubes. Toss the cubes with 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, turning halfway, until golden brown and crisp. Set aside to cool.
  2. Make the Creamy Caesar Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovy paste (if using).
  3. Slowly drizzle in the 1/2 cup of olive oil while continuously whisking vigorously until the mixture emulsifies and thickens.
  4. Whisk in the 1/4 cup of vegetable oil in a slow, steady stream until fully incorporated.
  5. Stir in the fresh lemon juice. Season the dressing generously with salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Assemble the Salad: In a very large bowl, place the torn romaine lettuce.
  7. Pour about half of the homemade Caesar dressing over the lettuce. Gently toss the lettuce until lightly coated. Add more dressing as needed to reach your desired creaminess, but avoid over-dressing.
  8. Add the homemade croutons and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Toss once or twice more to combine everything.
  9. Serve the Caesar Salad immediately, topping each portion with extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a Chicken Caesar Salad dinner, grill or pan-sear two seasoned chicken breasts and slice them before adding them to the finished salad.
  • If you want a lighter dressing, reduce the vegetable oil slightly, though this may affect the creamy texture.
  • You can make the homemade Caesar dressing up to two days ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://magazinemeal.com/classic-caesar-salad-recipe-homemade-dressing/