Elevate your salad game with this Simple Scrumptious Caesar Salad with Quick Garlic Croutons—a timeless classic made irresistibly fresh and easy! Crisp romaine lettuce is tossed with a tangy, creamy homemade Caesar dressing infused with garlic, lemon juice, and a hint of Dijon mustard, delivering a bold, savory kick. Golden, oven-baked garlic croutons crafted from a French baguette add the perfect crunchy bite, while freshly grated Parmesan cheese ties everything together in rich, nutty harmony. Ready in just 30 minutes, this quick and flavorful Caesar salad is ideal for weeknight dinners, lunch gatherings, or as a show-stopping side dish. Skip store-bought and discover a restaurant-quality Caesar salad that’s as easy to make as it is delicious.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cut the baguette into 1/2-inch cubes and spread them on a baking sheet.
Mince 2 garlic cloves and combine them with 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a bowl. Drizzle the garlic-oil mixture over the bread cubes, tossing to coat evenly.
Bake the bread cubes in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until golden and crispy, stirring halfway through. Set aside to cool.
Wash and dry the romaine lettuce thoroughly. Chop it into bite-sized pieces and place in a large salad bowl.
Grate the Parmesan cheese if not pre-grated.
Prepare the dressing: Finely mince the remaining garlic clove. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste (if using), salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
To assemble the salad, add the croutons and grated Parmesan to the bowl with the chopped romaine. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss until well-coated.
Serve immediately, optionally garnishing with additional Parmesan and a crack of black pepper.
Calories |
2130 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 161.3 g | 207% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.0 g | 130% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 163 mg | 54% | |
| Sodium | 3219 mg | 140% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 138.0 g | 50% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.1 g | 68% | |
| Total Sugars | 12.6 g | ||
| Protein | 44.3 g | 89% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 936 mg | 72% | |
| Iron | 14.8 mg | 82% | |
| Potassium | 2608 mg | 55% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.