Classic Caesar Salad (Printable)

Crisp romaine with creamy Parmesan dressing and crunchy croutons for a light, flavorful dish.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Salad

01 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
02 - 2 cups croutons (homemade or artisanal preferred)
03 - 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

→ Dressing

04 - 1 large egg yolk or 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (egg-free alternative)
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 bowl, whisk together the egg yolk or mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, anchovies, garlic, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
02 - Gradually drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.
03 - Place the chopped romaine lettuce in a large salad bowl and toss with enough dressing to coat evenly.
04 - Add the croutons to the salad and toss gently to combine.
05 - Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
06 - Serve immediately to preserve freshness and texture.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The dressing is creamy and tangy without needing heavy cream—just egg yolk and technique.
  • It comes together in twenty minutes but tastes like you've been cooking all afternoon.
  • Homemade croutons add a shattering crunch that store-bought ones can never match.
02 -
  • The egg yolk needs to be from a reliable source since it's not cooked—if you're uncomfortable with raw eggs, use good quality mayonnaise instead and skip nothing else.
  • The dressing breaks when you rush the oil, so even though it feels slow, that thin drizzle while whisking is the whole secret to creaminess.
03 -
  • Make the dressing first and let it sit for five minutes—it actually deepens and improves while the flavors get to know each other.
  • Chill your bowl and your lettuce beforehand so everything stays crisp from the first bite to the last, temperature really does matter here.
Return