Caesar Salad and Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing

This is my favorite caesar salad! It’s made with a rich and creamy homemade dressing and perfectly golden brown, crisp fresh croutons and lots of Parmesan. Don’t shy away from the anchovies, they really pack flavor into this dressing and give it that classic caesar flare.

Servings: 6 Servings

Prep20minutes 

Cook15minutes 

Ready in: 20minutes 

Ingredients

• 4 cups hearty day old bread, torn into 3/4-inch pieces
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 large Romaine hearts (or 1 head Romaine lettuce), chopped
• 1/4 cup finely shredded parmesan

Dressing

• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Worcestershire
• 4 anchovies packed in oil, drained, minced then mashed
• 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (2 tsp)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place bread pieces close together on a rimmed 18 by 13-inch then drizzle slowly and evenly with olive oil, then toss to coat.
• Spread bread across baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and crisp, tossing once halfway through, about 15 – 20 minutes total.
• Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, dijon mustard, Worcestershire, anchovies, garlic, 1/4 cup parmesan and season with salt and pepper to taste (you may only need a pinch of salt, then about scant 1/2 tsp pepper).
• Place lettuce in a large bowl, pour in dressing then toss to evenly coat with dressing, then toss in croutons and remaining parmesan.
• Serve salad immediately.

Notes

• Recipe source: inspired by Gourmet and others
• Use whole anchovies for the best flavor, not anchovy paste.