A classic Caesar salad made with crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, and the best creamy homemade dressing.

Caesar salad in a bowl with romaine, croutons and dressing.

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Jamielyn Nye

Why I Love This Classic Caesar Salad

Caesar salad is a classic salad recipe I make all the time, and this version is just as good as anything you’d order at a restaurant. Instead of using raw egg yolk in the Caesar dressing, I like to take a little shortcut with mayonnaise, it keeps the dressing creamy and delicious without the fuss.

With only a few simple ingredients, the key is using the best you can find: fresh, crisp romaine, homemade croutons, and plenty of Parmesan.

Ingredient Notes

Romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan wedge, lemon, garlic, Anchovy paste, pepper mill, mayo, worcestershire and Dijon on the counter.

Find the full printable recipe with detailed measurements below.

  • Caesar dressing: My shortcut is using mayonnaise instead of raw egg yolk for that creamy base. Fresh lemon juice brightens it up, while garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, and a touch of anchovy paste adds that classic tangy, savory depth. Don’t forget plenty of freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
  • Romaine lettuce: Crisp, cold leaves are the foundation of a great Caesar. Chop into bite-sized pieces so the dressing coats evenly.
  • Croutons: Homemade croutons are worth it here! They’re crisp, flavorful, and really elevate the salad compared to store-bought.
  • Extra Parmesan: A few shavings over the top make it look and taste restaurant-quality.

How to Make Caesar Salad

Add chopped Romaine lettuce to a large salad bowl.

Romaine lettuce in a salad bowl.

Sprinkle with Parmesan and croutons. Then, drizzle with Caesar dressing.

Caesar salad ingredients in a bowl.

Use tongs to gently toss to combine, making sure the lettuce is evenly and lightly coated in the dressing.

Caesar salad in a white bowl with romaine, shaved Parmesan, croutons and dressing.

Serving

Caesar salad is best enjoyed right after it is assembled and tossed with dressing. If I am not topping it with chicken for a main meal, I love to serve it with baked ziti or lasagna.

The dressing can be made ahead and stored in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also make the croutons up to a few days ahead and store at room temperature in an airtight container.

Caesar salad in a white bowl with croutons and parmesan.

We love Caesar salad recipes! Other must try meals include this chicken Caesar pasta salad, Caesar salad with chicken and chicken Caesar salad wrap.

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Caesar salad in a bowl with romaine, croutons and dressing.

Caesar Salad Recipe

5 from 5 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 as a side
A classic Caesar salad made with crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, and the best creamy homemade dressing.
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Ingredients 

Caesar Dressing

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
  • 2 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • salt and freshly cracked pepper , to taste
  • ½ teaspoon anchovy paste  , optional

Caesar Salad

  • 1 head romaine lettuce , rinsed, chilled, and chopped into bite-sized pieces (6-8 cups)
  • 2 cups homemade croutons
  • ⅓ cup shaved parmesan cheese , more to taste

Instructions

Caesar Dressing

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 garlic cloves, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce with 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste until combined.
  • Whisk in 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt, and pepper until smooth and combined. Season to taste, if needed. Chill until ready to use.

Caesar Salad

  • In a large serving bowl, add lettuce and sprinkle with parmesan and croutons. Just before serving, drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss gently until lettuce is evenly coated.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Storage: Store dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 373kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 33g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 26mg, Sodium: 694mg, Potassium: 315mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 9223IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 216mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Protein: Adding a cooked protein liked grilled chicken, baked salmon or these shrimp skewers are an easy way to make it into a full meal.
  • Add pasta: Adding your favorite cooked pasta or chilled tortellini are a great addition.
  • Different greens: While romaine is traditional, you could try mixed salad greens or kale.
  • Dressing: I don’t recommend any other dressing, but feel free to try Cobb salad, Greek salad or this wedge salad recipe to explore other options.