Classic Caesar Salad with Creamy Dressing (Print page)

Crisp romaine with creamy dressing, crunchy croutons, and Parmesan

# What You Need:

→ For the Salad

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

→ For the Dressing

04 - 1 large egg yolk (or 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, for egg-free)
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

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolk (or mayonnaise), Dijon mustard, anchovies, garlic, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth and well combined.
02 - Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously to create a smooth, 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 enough dressing over the lettuce to coat evenly, then toss thoroughly using salad tongs to ensure all leaves are covered.
04 - Gently toss in the croutons, being careful not to crush them, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the salad.
05 - Top the salad with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while the croutons remain crunchy.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The homemade dressing tastes completely different from anything store bought and comes together in under five minutes
  • You can adjust everything to your taste, more garlic, less anchovy, however you like it best
02 -
  • The dressing tastes better after it sits for 10 minutes so the garlic can mellow out and the flavors meld together
  • Wet lettuce makes for a sad salad, so either dry it thoroughly in a salad spinner or pat it dry with towels
03 -
  • Use the biggest bowl you own when tossing the salad, it gives you room to mix without making a mess
  • Warm your croutons slightly in the oven right before serving for that just made texture
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