Classic Caesar Salad with Homemade Garlic Croutons

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A refreshing Caesar salad with crisp romaine, tangy dressing, and crunchy homemade garlic croutons for a satisfying starter or side dish. This Italian-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, French bread 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 220 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a bowl, toss 4 cups cubed French bread with 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 minced garlic cloves until evenly coated. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, tossing halfway, until golden and crisp.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp anchovy paste (if using), and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth.
  3. Step 3: In a large salad bowl, combine 2 chopped heads of romaine lettuce and 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
  4. Step 4: Top the salad with the warm garlic croutons and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan before serving for a classic Caesar experience.