• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Gitta's Kitchen
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Supper
    • Salads
    • Sides
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Seasonal
      • Holidays
      • Thanksgiving
  • About me!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Resources
    • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Salads

    How to make an Easy Caesar Salad

    Published: Jul 22, 2020 · Modified: Aug 20, 2021 by Gitta Grether-Sweeney · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Caesar salad in white bowl with wooden salad spoons

    This recipe for Caesar Salad is a family favorite. The crunchy lettuce, crisp croutons, and lemon-based dressing create a pop of flavors in your mouth. It makes a wonderful side dish with so many meals. Try it with grilled meats or pasta!

    finished Caesar salad in a white bowl with wood salad spoons next to it

    Caesar salads are on our weekly menu rotation because they are one of my family’s favorite salads and it goes with so many different types of meals.   

    The Caesar dressing in this recipe is not a typical dressing because it is made without anchovies and raw eggs. I modified the dressing for people who do not like the taste of anchovies, and who prefer a vinaigrette style dressing over a creamy one.  However, if you like a creamy Caesar dressing, put the dressing in a blender and blend it for 30 seconds and it will be smooth and creamy.

    Even though traditional Caesar salads do not have tomatoes, I add a few for color and extra nutrition.

    Ingredients

    labeled ingredients on a white stone, Romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, chunk of Parmesan cheese and croutons

    Romaine lettuce- Romaine lettuce hearts, which is where the outer leaves have been removed from the lettuce, or heads of romaine can be used in this recipe.  This lettuce is crisp and adds a nice crunch to the salad.

    Tomatoes- Normally I use grape or cherry tomatoes.  However, you can also use a whole tomato and cut it into wedges or chunks.  If you do not like tomatoes, leave them out of the salad.

    Parmesan cheese- This is an important ingredient because the cheese provides flavor and saltiness which makes the salad unique. 

    Croutons- Make homemade croutons however if you do not have bread or want to save time, purchased croutons work well too!  Especially in the summer when you might not want to turn on your oven!

    Caesar Dressing- This homemade Caesar dressing is quick and easy to make however, feel free to use your favorite Caesar dressing. 

    How to make a Caesar Salad

    • sliced romaine lettuce on a wood cutting board with a chefs knife next to it
      Cut the lettuce in half
    • romaine lettuce on a cutting board, half of it is chopped with a chefs knife next to the lettuce
      Slice the lettuce into smaller pieces
    • chopped romaine lettuce on a wood cutting board
      Sliced lettuce
    • chopped romaine lettuce in a red basket of a lettuce spinner
      Place lettuce in basket of a salad spinner
    • cut romaine lettuce in a red colander with water running over it
      Rinse the lettuce well under running water
    • red and white lettuce spinner. white top, clear bowl red basket.
      Spin lettuce to remove water from the lettuce leaves
    • Cut and rinse the lettuce under cold running water as shown above. Be sure to use a salad spinner (affiliate link) to remove all the water from the lettuce so that the dressing will stick to the lettuce.
    • sliced grape tomatoes on a wood cutting board with top of a chefs knife
      Cut the tomatoes in half
    • slicing Parmesan cheese with a vegetable peeler
      Use a vegetable peeler for large pieces of cheese
    • box grater with Parmesan cheese and grated cheese next to it on a wood cutting board
      Use a box grater for shredded cheese
    • finely grated Parmesan cheese, with a chunk of the cheese and a microplane sitting on a cutting board.
      Use a microplane for a fine grind cheese
    • Slice tomatoes in half.
    • Grate the Parmesan cheese to your desired texture using any of the methods above.
    finished Caesar salad in a white bowl with wood salad spoons and jar of Caesar dressing
    • Just before serving, toss the salad with dressing and top with croutons!

    Tips for success

    1. Be sure the lettuce leaves are dry.  Otherwise the dressing will not stick to the leaves. A salad spinner (affiliate link) works best to remove water. However, if you do not have a salad spinner (affiliate link), place the lettuce in a colander and rinse the lettuce under cold running water. Shake the colander to remove as much water as possible. Spread the rinsed lettuce and on a clean towel or paper towel and pat it dry.
    2. Be careful not to use too much dressing.  Start with 2-3 tablespoons of dressing and add additional dressing 1 tablespoon at a time.  Salads drenched in dressing are soggy and do not taste good.
    3. The ingredients can be prepared early in the day. Store them covered in the refrigerator. Do not cut the lettuce the day before you plan to use it. Otherwise the cut edges of the lettuce may turn a pinkish color which is not appetizing.   

    Leftovers

    Once the dressing has been added to the salad, leftovers do no hold up well even when refrigerated.

    Additions

    There are a number of foods you can that are not in a typical Caesar salad but are tasty:

    • Hard-boiled egg-Either dice or cut the egg into wedges. Place them on top of the salad after you have added the dressing.
    • Bacon-A a couple of tablespoons of cooked crumbled bacon would be delicious.
    • Chickpeas-Add a handful of chickpeas for added protein.
    • Carrots-Sliced or shredded raw carrots would add nutrition and color to the salad.
    • Corn-I love to add about ½ cup of fresh or thawed sweet corn to the salad. Another option is to cook the corn in a skillet with 1 teaspoon olive oil and saute it until the kernels of corn brown. The caramelization adds another layer of flavor!

    How to serve Caesar Salad

    As a side dish

    A Caesar salad is the perfect side dish for many meals. It pairs well with grilled meats like beef and pork. Try serving a Caesar salad with pasta like lasagna, spaghetti, or ravioli. I love to serve it with Fast Roast Chicken or Turkey Spaghetti Sauce on Roasted Spaghetti Squash. There are so many options!

    As a main dish

    To make a one-bowl meal added any kind of chicken; sliced chicken breast, or shredded Rotisserie chicken. Baked or grilled salmon is also a delicious and healthy option. How about grilled or sauteed shrimp?

    If you prefer to have a meatless meal, add a boiled egg or some chickpeas. To round out the salad serve it with a slice of garlic bread or flatbread There are so many options! It will be a hit with your family.

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    finished Caesar salad in a white bowl with wood salad spoons next to it

    Easy Caesar Salad Recipe

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
    • Author: Gitta
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Total Time: 15
    • Yield: 6 servings 1x
    • Category: Salad, Side
    • Cuisine: Italian
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This salad is packed with flavor and crunch.  It is the perfect side dish with many meals, especially with grilled meats and pasta.   Make it a one-bowl meal by adding chicken or salmon.  


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 head (1.5#)  Romaine lettuce, chopped
    • 8-10 cherry tomatoes
    • 1 cup croutons
    • 1 oz  Parmesan cheese, grated (this should be about ¼ cup grated cheese)
    • 3 Tbsp Caesar salad dressing

    Instructions

    1. Remove the bottom stem of the lettuce by cutting it about 3" above the stem.   If there are damaged leaves, remove them. 
    2. Cut the lettuce lengthwise then slice the lettuce into 2-3 inch ribbons.  
    3. Place the cut lettuce into a colander or the basket of a salad spinner (affiliate link).  Rinse the lettuce under running water.  Shake the basket from side to side to be sure all the lettuce is washed. 
    4. If you are using a salad spinner (affiliate link), spin to remove the water from the lettuce.  If you use a colander, place the lettuce on a clean towel or paper towel and blot dry.  Place dried lettuce in a salad bowl. 
    5. Wash the cherry tomatoes under running water.  Cut the tomatoes in half.  I prefer to cut them lengthwise because I think it looks more appetizing.   You could also leave them whole.  Place the tomatoes on the lettuce. 
    6. Grate the Parmesan cheese.  For shredded cheese use a box grater, for thin strips of cheese slice the cheese with a vegetable peeler, and for finely grated cheese use a microplane (affiliate link).  
    7.  Toss the salad with 2-3 tablespoons of dressing.  Add more if desired. 
    8. Top the salad with croutons and grated Parmesan cheese. 

    Equipment

    Image of Microplane

    Microplane

    Buy Now →
    Image of Salad spinner

    Salad spinner

    Buy Now →
    Image of Box Grater

    Box Grater

    Buy Now →
    Image of Chef's knife

    Chef's knife

    Buy Now →
    Image of Cutting Board

    Cutting Board

    Buy Now →

    Notes

    1.   1 (1.5#) head Romaine lettuce should yield about 7 cups sliced lettuce. 
    2.   Be sure the lettuce leaves are dry.  Otherwise, the dressing will not stick to the leaves. A salad spinner (affiliate link) works best. If you do not have a salad spinner (affiliate link), place the lettuce in a colander and rinse the lettuce under running. Shake the colander to remove as much water as possible. Take the rinsed lettuce and spread it on a clean towel or paper towel and pat it dry.
    3.   Be careful not to use too much dressing.  Start with 2-3 tablespoons of dressing and add additional dressing 1 tablespoon at a time.  Salads drenched in dressing are soggy and do not taste good.
    4.   The ingredients can be prepared early in the day. Store them covered in the refrigerator. Do not cut the lettuce the day before you plan to use it. Otherwise, the cut edges of the lettuce will turn a pinkish color which is not appetizing.   

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 cup
    • Calories: 126
    • Sugar: 2.5 g
    • Sodium: 280.8 mg
    • Fat: 8.5 g
    • Carbohydrates: 9.1 g
    • Protein: 4.2 g
    • Cholesterol: 7.7 mg

    Keywords: salad, health, Caesar Salad, Romaine lettuce

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @gittas_kitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #gittas_kitchen

    Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is approximate and calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavored to be as accurate as possible.

    There are links to Amazon for equipment that I use to make this recipe for your convenience. If you purchase the equipment, I'll receive a small commission. For more information, please read my policy.

    More Salads

    • Simple and Healthy Greek-Style Pasta Salad without Black Olives
    • Easy Sweet Corn and Tomato Salad with Feta and Basil
    • Easy Kale and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dressing
    • Easy Baby Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Lori Hicke

      July 23, 2020 at 10:35 am

      Thanks Gitta, I’m going to make this with garbanzo beans for lunch. Thanks for the great recipes!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Gitta

        July 23, 2020 at 12:23 pm

        Thanks Lori. Let me know how you like it! Please tell me if you would change anything. I appreciate your feedback!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Picture of Gitta

    Welcome to my food blog! My goal is to inspire you to prepare delicious meals for your family by sharing simple and healthier recipes. Step-by-step instructions are included to ensure that you are successful. Join me in my kitchen, and let's start cooking!

    More about me →

    Cozy Winter Meals

    • How to make the Best Austrian Beef Goulash-Easy
      ★★★★★
      Cook Time3 hours
    • Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner with Italian Spices
      ★★★★★
      Cook Time55 minutes
    • Fast Roasted Chicken
      Cook Time45 minutes

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Subscribe to the Newsletter

    Contact

    • About & Contact Information

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Gitta's Kitchen