This Classic Caesar Salad Recipe brings together crisp romaine lettuce, creamy Caesar dressing, crunchy croutons, and a flurry of Parmesan in the most irresistible way. Whether you’re seeking a quick lunch, an elegant start to a meal, or a satisfying main with some extra protein, this timeless favorite never fails to shine. With just a few staple ingredients and no need to even turn on your stove, you’ll be amazed by how much flavor is packed into every delicious bite. If you’ve never made a Caesar at home, get ready to fall in love with the bold, zesty, and utterly crave-worthy simplicity of this Classic Caesar Salad Recipe!

Classic Caesar Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity: each ingredient is a star with an essential role to play. This Classic Caesar Salad Recipe lets every element stand out for its flavor, texture, and freshness—making for a salad that’s as vibrant as it is satisfying.

Romaine lettuce: The crisp, cool crunch of romaine is the heart of a Classic Caesar Salad Recipe—be sure to chill it for extra snap!
Caesar dressing: Rich, tangy, and creamy, this is what ties the whole salad together; opt for homemade or high-quality store-bought for best results.
Croutons: Buttery, golden cubes add irresistible crunch and soak up just enough dressing for bursts of flavor in every bite.
Grated Parmesan cheese: The salty, nutty finish of Parmesan is what elevates the salad with every sprinkle.
Freshly ground black pepper: A finishing touch of fresh black pepper adds warmth and depth to each forkful.
Anchovy fillets (optional): For the true Caesar purist, tangy anchovies provide bold, briny flavor and extra umami punch.
Lemon wedges (optional): A bright squeeze of lemon over the top wakes up all the flavors and brings a fresh zing.

How to Make Classic Caesar Salad Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Dry Your Romaine

Start by thoroughly washing your romaine lettuce to ensure it’s perfectly crisp and free from any grit. Pat the leaves dry with a clean kitchen towel or spin them in a salad spinner—dry leaves help the dressing cling beautifully, so don’t skip this step! Once dry, chop or tear the romaine into hearty, bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Toss Lettuce with Dressing

Transfer the lettuce to a large mixing or salad bowl. Drizzle your Caesar dressing evenly over the top, using as much or as little as you like based on your personal taste. With clean hands or salad tongs, toss gently to ensure every leaf is luxuriously coated—this is what brings all the flavors together.

Step 3: Add Croutons and Parmesan

Scatter in your croutons for signature crunch, then shower the salad with grated Parmesan cheese. The contrast of crispy bread and umami-rich cheese makes each mouthful pop. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, shave a few extra curls of Parmesan right over the bowl!

Step 4: Finish with Pepper and Optional Toppings

Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper over the salad to taste. Arrange anchovy fillets and lemon wedges around the edge for those who love a bit of boldness or citrus zing. Your Classic Caesar Salad Recipe is now ready to be served immediately for the ultimate crisp, creamy, and savory experience.

How to Serve Classic Caesar Salad Recipe

Garnishes

This salad truly shines when finished with a few thoughtful garnishes. A final dusting of Parmesan, fresh-cracked black pepper, or even a couple of whole anchovy fillets instantly gives your Classic Caesar Salad Recipe that wow-worthy table appeal. Lemon wedges are a must for that ideal pop of brightness just before serving.

Side Dishes

A Classic Caesar Salad Recipe makes a fantastic starter for Italian meals or a refreshing side for anything grilled. Pair it with pasta, roasted vegetables, garlic bread, or herby grilled chicken to round out your meal with balanced flavors and textures.

Creative Ways to Present

Level up your presentation by serving your salad family-style in a wide shallow bowl, or assemble individual portions on chilled plates for a restaurant-worthy look. For a twist, set up a Caesar salad bar with toppings like grilled shrimp, chicken, or hard-boiled eggs and let everyone build their perfect plate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any extra salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator, but keep in mind that Classic Caesar Salad Recipe is at its prime right after tossing. The lettuce and croutons can lose their crunch as it sits, so it’s best to prep only what you’ll eat immediately. If you anticipate leftovers, only dress as much salad as you plan to serve, and keep extras undressed.

Freezing

Freezing is not recommended for any components of this salad. Romaine loses its snap and becomes watery when thawed, and the creamy dressing can separate. For the best experience, always make your Classic Caesar Salad Recipe fresh.

Reheating

Since this recipe is meant to be served chilled and relies on the crispness of fresh romaine, reheating isn’t necessary or advisable. If the croutons have become soft, you can toast new ones and toss them in just before serving to restore that perfect crunch.

FAQs

Can I make the Classic Caesar Salad Recipe in advance?

You can prep the components ahead—wash and chop the lettuce, make the dressing, grate Parmesan, and ready the croutons—but wait to toss everything together until just before serving. This keeps the lettuce crisp and the croutons crunchy.

What’s the best Caesar dressing for this salad?

Homemade dressing always wins for bold, fresh flavor, but you can absolutely use your favorite high-quality store-bought version when short on time. For a real flavor boost, look for dressings with real anchovy and lemon juice!

How do I make this salad gluten-free?

Simply swap the regular croutons for gluten-free ones (store-bought or homemade), and always double-check that your Caesar dressing contains no gluten or wheat-based ingredients.

Can I add protein to make this salad a main dish?

Absolutely! This Classic Caesar Salad Recipe is delicious topped with grilled chicken, juicy shrimp, or even slices of hard-boiled egg to make it a satisfying and hearty meal.

What if I don’t like anchovies?

No worries at all! The anchovies are totally optional and only for those who love a little extra briny flavor. You can leave them out entirely and still have an incredible Classic Caesar Salad Recipe.

Final Thoughts

If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate salad that’s as easy to make as it is crave-worthy, this Classic Caesar Salad Recipe is calling your name. It’s a timeless delight that feels right at home at family dinners, weeknight meals, and special occasions. Gather your ingredients, toss up a bowl, and let the flavors (and compliments) roll in!

Classic Caesar Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Classic Caesar Salad Recipe is a timeless favorite featuring crisp romaine lettuce, tangy Caesar dressing, crunchy croutons, and savory Parmesan cheese. A simple yet satisfying salad that’s perfect as a side or a light meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Romaine Salad:

1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped

Caesar Dressing:

½ cup Caesar dressing

Additional Ingredients:

1 cup croutons
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional: anchovy fillets, lemon wedges

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Instructions

Prepare Lettuce: Wash and dry the romaine lettuce thoroughly, then chop or tear into bite-sized pieces.
Toss with Dressing: Place the lettuce in a large salad bowl. Add Caesar dressing and toss until evenly coated.
Add Toppings: Top with croutons and grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Serve: Serve immediately with optional anchovy fillets and lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

For extra crunch, chill the lettuce before serving.
Use homemade Caesar dressing for the best flavor, or add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.
To make it a meal, top with grilled chicken, shrimp, or hard-boiled eggs.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Italian-American