The Best Caesar Salad

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-31 · Updated 2026-03-31

A classic Caesar salad with crispy romaine, creamy dressing, and Parmesan croutons, dressed with a perfectly balanced garlic and lemon zest. This italian-inspired salads ready in about 40 minutes pairs romaine lettuce, croutons, 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 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

• 1 head romaine lettuce
• 1 cup croutons
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Toss 1 cup croutons with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and crispy.
2. Step 2: In a food processor, blend 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 2 whisked egg yolks, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, tear 1 head romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Toss with half the Caesar dressing, then add the croutons and remaining dressing.
4. Step 4: Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and lemon zest. Serve immediately.