Classic Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons

There’s nothing quite like a Classic Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons to make your dinner feel restaurant-special.

I’ve perfected this recipe over countless family meals, and you’re going to fall in love with every crispy, creamy bite.

Why I Keep Coming Back to This Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons

My family requests this salad weekly, and I never get tired of making it!

You’ll adore how the homemade garlic croutons add incredible crunch while the creamy dressing coats every leaf perfectly.

This Classic Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons comes together in just 35 minutes and feeds a crowd beautifully.

Speaking of crowd-pleasers, I absolutely recommend trying my Fresh Peach Mozzarella Salad when summer peaches are at their peak.

The sweet and savory combination is divine! For something heartier, you’ll want to bookmark my Watermelon Feta and Mint Salad with Grilled Chicken, it’s become my go-to for backyard barbecues.

Ingredients You Need for Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons

Here’s everything you need to create this amazing Classic Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons:

For the Creamy Caesar Dressing:

• 1 cup mayonnaise (I prefer Hellmann’s for richness)
• 1 cup sour cream (adds that perfect tang)
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar (don’t substitute with white vinegar)
• 1½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (or 2 mashed anchovy fillets – trust me on this!)
• 1 large garlic clove, minced fine
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 2-3 dashes hot sauce (I use Tabasco)

For the Homemade Garlic Croutons:

• 4 cups day-old bread, cut into ¾-inch cubes (sourdough or French bread work beautifully)
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped fine
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Salad Assembly:

• 8 cups romaine lettuce hearts, chopped (I skip the tough outer leaves)
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup Parmesan ribbons (use a vegetable peeler!)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

How to Make Classic Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons

Make the Caesar Dressing:

• Combine all dressing ingredients in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds until completely smooth, or whisk everything together in a medium bowl. The dressing should be creamy and well-blended.

Prepare the Garlic Croutons:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F and place the bread cubes in a large mixing bowl.
• Heat olive oil and sliced garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat. Watch carefully as the garlic turns golden and becomes fragrant, about 4-5 minutes. Don’t let it burn or your croutons will taste bitter!
• Strain out the garlic pieces (save them for another use if you’d like) and immediately drizzle the warm, garlic-infused oil over your bread cubes.
• Toss thoroughly to coat every piece, then spread on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, tossing once halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
• Remove from oven and toss with chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Set aside to cool completely.

Assemble Your Caesar Salad:

• Place chopped romaine in a large serving bowl and drizzle with ⅓ cup of the Classic Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons dressing.
• Toss well to coat every leaf, then sprinkle with half the grated Parmesan and 1 cup of croutons.
• Toss gently again, then top with remaining Parmesan, Parmesan ribbons, and more croutons as desired.
• Season with salt and pepper, then serve immediately.

My Simple Tricks for Nailing This Classic Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons

My secret? I always make the dressing at least 30 minutes ahead so the flavors can meld beautifully.

Don’t dress the lettuce until right before serving, soggy romaine is nobody’s friend!

I also keep my croutons slightly larger than store-bought ones because they hold up better and give you more satisfying crunch in every bite.

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Can I make Caesar salad without anchovies?

Absolutely! While I encourage you to try the anchovy version (it’s much milder than you’d expect), you can substitute with an extra teaspoon each of Worcestershire sauce and fresh lemon juice.

The umami won’t be quite as deep, but it’s still delicious.

How long does homemade Caesar dressing keep?

I store my dressing in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight container. Give it a good shake before using since the ingredients may separate slightly.

What’s the best way to store leftover croutons?

Keep them in an airtight container for up to two weeks, or freeze for up to two months. If they lose their crispness, just pop them back in a 350°F oven for 3-4 minutes.

I’d love for you to save this recipe and share your results! Follow me on Pinterest for more family-favorite recipes that actually work.

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How I Love to Serve My Classic Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons

This salad shines brightest at our Sunday family dinners alongside grilled chicken or salmon.

I also serve it as a light lunch with crusty bread, and it’s become my signature contribution to potluck gatherings.

During summer, we take it on picnics, just pack the dressing separately and toss everything together right before eating.

My Classic Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons never fails to impress!