Bacon and Parmesan Crisps Caesar Salad

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-18 · Updated 2026-04-18

A classic Caesar salad with a twist, featuring crispy bacon bits and homemade Parmesan crisps for a satisfying keto-friendly meal. This salads (keto) ready in about 17 minutes pairs Romaine lettuce, Bacon, Parmesan cheese into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 540 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 cups, chopped Romaine lettuce
• 4 slices, cooked and crumbled Bacon
• 1/4 cup, finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 clove, minced Garlic
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1/2 tsp Anchovy paste
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese in a thin, even layer. Bake for 5-7 minutes until golden and crisp, then cool and break into small pieces.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp minced garlic, 1/2 tsp anchovy paste, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Slowly drizzle in 2 tbsp olive oil while whisking until emulsified.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, toss 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce with 3/4 of the dressing until evenly coated. Add 4 crumbled bacon slices and the Parmesan crisps, then gently toss to combine.