Classic Caesar Salad with Homemade Garlic Croutons
A refreshing Caesar salad with crisp romaine, tangy dressing, and crunchy homemade garlic croutons for a satisfying starter or side dish. This italian-inspired salads ready in about 27 minutes pairs freshly grated parmesan cheese, cubed French bread, olive oil 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.
Ingredients
- 2 heads, washed and chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup, freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 4 slices, cubed French bread
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp (optional) anchovy paste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 4: Top the salad with the warm garlic croutons and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan before serving for a classic Caesar experience.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Classic Caesar Salad with Homemade Garlic Croutons take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Classic Caesar Salad with Homemade Garlic Croutons?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cubed french bread from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Classic Caesar Salad with Homemade Garlic Croutons?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Classic Caesar Salad with Homemade Garlic Croutons for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Classic Caesar Salad with Homemade Garlic Croutons?
Italian salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
