Classic Caesar Salad (Printable)

Crisp romaine with creamy dressing, croutons, and Parmesan ready in 20 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
02 - 2 cups croutons (preferably homemade or artisanal)
03 - 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

→ Caesar Dressing

04 - 1 large egg yolk (or 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, for egg-free option)
05 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
06 - 2 anchovy fillets, finely minced (optional)
07 - 1 garlic clove, minced
08 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolk (or mayonnaise), Dijon mustard, anchovies, minced garlic, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce until completely smooth and combined.
02 - Slowly drizzle the olive oil into the bowl while whisking continuously to create a thick, emulsified dressing. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
03 - Place the chopped romaine lettuce in a large salad bowl. Pour the dressing over the lettuce and toss thoroughly using tongs until every leaf is evenly coated.
04 - Add the croutons to the bowl and toss gently to distribute. Top with the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while croutons remain crunchy.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The homemade dressing tastes infinitely brighter than anything from a bottle and comes together in minutes
  • Perfect for impressing dinner guests without spending hours at the stove
  • Crisp, creamy, tangy and satisfying all at once, the kind of salad that feels like a meal
02 -
  • The dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and keeps beautifully in the refrigerator, but bring it to room temperature before using
  • Room temperature ingredients emulsify more easily than cold ones straight from the fridge
  • If your dressing breaks or separates, start over with a fresh yolk and slowly whisk in the broken mixture
03 -
  • Whisking in a bowl set on a damp kitchen towel keeps it steady while you work
  • Wash and dry your lettuce in advance so it is ready when the dressing is done
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