Classic Caesar with Croutons (Printable View)

Crisp romaine, tangy dressing, and garlicky homemade croutons come together in this classic Caesar dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Croutons

01 - 3 cups day-old baguette or country bread, cut into ¾-inch cubes
02 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
03 - 1 garlic clove, minced
04 - ¼ teaspoon sea salt
05 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Dressing

06 - 1 egg yolk
07 - 2 anchovy fillets, finely minced
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 garlic clove, minced
11 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
12 - ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
13 - ⅓ cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Salad

15 - 2 large hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped or torn into bite-sized pieces
16 - ⅓ cup shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

# How to Prepare:

01 - Set oven temperature to 375°F.
02 - Toss bread cubes with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp. Remove and cool.
04 - Whisk egg yolk, minced anchovies, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and lemon juice until smooth.
05 - Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking vigorously, then stir in grated Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
06 - Combine romaine, croutons, and dressing in a large bowl, starting with half the dressing and adding more to taste. Toss gently to coat.
07 - Top with shaved Parmesan and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's like having a restaurant-quality salad waiting in your kitchen, ready to impress without the fuss
  • The homemade croutons bring that perfect golden crunch that you can't get from store-bought
02 -
  • Using day-old bread for croutons is key because it crisps perfectly without turning soggy later
  • The anchovies might sound intimidating, but they melt into dressing and add a deep umami note that's essential
03 -
  • Whisk olive oil in slowly and steadily to create that perfect creamy texture
  • Use freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for authentic flavor; pre-grated just doesn't compare

Go back