A classic Caesar salad with crisp romaine, creamy homemade dressing, crunchy croutons, and Parmesan—simple, balanced, and full of bold, satisfying flavor.
Servings 2servings
Prep Time 20 minutesmins
Cook Time 10 minutesmins
Total Time 30 minutesmins
Ingredients
Dressing
1/4cupceasar dressing
Salad
4cupsromaine lettuce
1/4cupfreshly grated parmesan
Pinchof sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Croutons
2sliceswhite bread(1.5 cm thick)
1tbspextra-virgin olive oil
Pinchsea salt
Toppings
shaved parmesan
Instructions
For the Croutons
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the cubed bread on the baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt. Toss well to coat.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until browned and crispy.
Assemble
Wash the romaine lettuce in cold water, then dry it thoroughly using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towel. Tear into large, bite-sized pieces and place in a mixing bowl.
Place the lettuce in a large mixing bowl. Add a few spoonfuls of Caesar dressing to the bowl and gently toss the lettuce using your hands or tongs, making sure each leaf is lightly and evenly coated. Take your time here to build a balanced base.
Chef’s tip: Start with less dressing and add more as needed—you want the leaves coated, not heavy.
Add the croutons and freshly grated Parmesan, then toss again carefully to distribute everything without breaking the leaves or crushing the croutons. This step brings together texture and structure
Taste the salad and adjust as needed—add a little more dressing for richness, extra Parmesan for depth, or black pepper for a subtle kick. This is where you fine-tune the balance.
Plate the salad and finish with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.
Chef’s tip: Always serve Caesar salad right after dressing to keep the lettuce crisp and the croutons crunchy.
Notes
Dry the lettuce well Any excess water will dilute the dressing and prevent it from coating the leaves properly.
Dress lightly and build up Start with a small amount of dressing and add more gradually to avoid an overly heavy salad.
Use fresh Parmesan Freshly grated Parmesan melts slightly into the dressing and adds a deeper, more complex flavor.
Balance texture A great Caesar salad relies on contrast—crisp lettuce, creamy dressing, and crunchy croutons in every bite.
Serve immediately Once dressed, the salad should be served right away to maintain its freshness and texture.