If you’re after a classic salad that ticks all the boxes—flavorful, crunchy, and just the right amount of indulgent—then you have to try this Easy Caesar Salad with Sourdough Croutons. It’s everything you want in a Caesar: crisp Romaine, fork-tender sourdough croutons, a creamy umami-packed dressing, and piles of fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano. Whether you’re sprucing up your weeknight meals or serving guests, this salad brings a restaurant-quality vibe to your own table with surprisingly little fuss!

Easy Caesar Salad with Sourdough Croutons Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This salad comes together with staple ingredients, each playing a starring role. From the tangy dressing to the golden-crisp croutons, every element boosts the taste, texture, and color of your Easy Caesar Salad with Sourdough Croutons. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:

Garlic paste: Packs a punch of savory flavor throughout the dressing without any harshness.
Anchovy paste: Delivers that signature Caesar umami—don’t worry, it just melts into the dressing!
Dijon mustard: Adds subtle heat and sharpness to balance out the richness.
Worcestershire sauce: Rounds out the dressing with a touch of complex, tangy depth.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed for brightness and zing, lifting every bite.
Full-fat mayonnaise: The creamy base that makes the dressing wonderfully thick and luscious.
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese: Freshly grated for salty, nutty notes; truly the “wow” ingredient.
Kosher salt & fresh ground black pepper: Essential for seasoning every layer to perfection.
Romaine hearts: Extra crisp and ultra-refreshing; perfect for soaking up all that dressing.
Sourdough bread: Cut into bite-sized cubes for serious crouton crunch and fabulous flavor.
Unsalted butter: Gives the croutons that golden color and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Garlic powder: Infuses every crouton with irresistible, toasty garlic flavor.

How to Make Easy Caesar Salad with Sourdough Croutons

Step 1: Whip Up the Signature Caesar Dressing

Start by gathering a medium bowl, a mason jar, or even a deli container. Into your chosen vessel, add the garlic paste, anchovy paste, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, the full-fat mayonnaise, Parmesan, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Whisk or stir until everything is silky smooth and well combined—the aroma should already have you hungry. Cover and chill this dressing in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so all the flavors blend and deepen.

Step 2: Prepare the Sourdough Croutons

Toss your cubed sourdough with melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Use your hands (disposable gloves are handy here!) to make sure every crouton gets a buttery, flavorful coating. It should smell irresistible even before toasting!

Step 3: Toast to Golden Perfection

For air fryer fans, preheat to 400°F, spread croutons in the basket, and air fry for 4 minutes until crisp and golden. Prefer the oven? Lay croutons out on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, stirring once or twice. Either method delivers beautifully crunchy croutons—the dream topping for any Easy Caesar Salad with Sourdough Croutons.

Step 4: Prep Your Romaine

Rinse the Romaine leaves thoroughly and dry them really well—dressing clings best to dry lettuce. Chop off the root end, remove any wilted spots, then slice crosswise into chunky 2-inch strips. The texture is everything, so don’t skip the drying!

Step 5: Dress and Toss

Place the lettuce in a large salad bowl. Spoon on a generous amount of your homemade Caesar dressing—don’t be shy! Add a heavy-handed sprinkle of shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano. Toss until every green is glistening and coated.

Step 6: Finish with Sourdough Croutons

Scatter those golden sourdough croutons right on top. They’ll add that unbeatable crunch and toasty flavor that sets this salad apart. Give one more gentle toss for good measure so every bite gets plenty of flavor and crunch.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Transfer the Easy Caesar Salad with Sourdough Croutons to a large platter, or simply serve it right in the salad bowl. It’s best enjoyed fresh and crisp—so dig in right away for maximum crunch and flavor!

How to Serve Easy Caesar Salad with Sourdough Croutons

Garnishes

Go all out with extra shavings of Parmigiano-Reggiano and a final crack of black pepper. A scatter of lemon zest or extra anchovy fillets on top adds a sophisticated flourish if you really want to impress.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs dreamily with grilled chicken, juicy seared shrimp, or a slab of roasted salmon for a heartier meal. You can also serve it as a starter alongside pasta, risotto, or even a comforting bowl of soup for a cozy, satisfying spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Layer the Easy Caesar Salad with Sourdough Croutons in individual glasses or jars for an elegant dinner party starter, pile onto a big rustic platter for family style, or even wrap in a tortilla for a Caesar “burrito” on the go. The options are as fun as they are delicious!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftovers, store the undressed salad and croutons separately in airtight containers in the fridge. The croutons will keep best at room temperature for up to two days, while the salad greens can last up to three days if kept very dry. Only combine when you’re ready to eat to keep everything crisp and tasty.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t recommended for lettuce or mayonnaise-based dressings, since they’ll lose their texture and become watery once thawed. If you make a big batch of croutons, though, you can freeze them in a zip-top bag and re-crisp in the oven before serving.

Reheating

Croutons gone a bit soft? Just pop them in a 375°F oven for a few minutes until they’re golden again. The dressing and salad are best served cold, so no reheating necessary there—just assemble everything fresh for the ultimate Easy Caesar Salad with Sourdough Croutons experience.

FAQs

Can I make the Caesar dressing ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dressing for Easy Caesar Salad with Sourdough Croutons develops even deeper flavor if made a day in advance. Store it in the fridge and give it a quick stir before using.

What can I substitute for anchovy paste?

If anchovy isn’t your thing, a splash of extra Worcestershire sauce helps bring similar savory depth. Miso paste also works in a pinch for a vegetarian umami hit!

How do I keep the croutons extra crunchy?

Let the croutons cool completely before storing them in an airtight container (at room temperature). Only toast as much bread as you’ll use right away for the absolute best crunch in your Easy Caesar Salad with Sourdough Croutons.

Can I use bagged Romaine or pre-shredded lettuce?

Bagged and pre-shredded lettuce can save time and still taste great, just be sure to dry it thoroughly and pick out any pieces that look wilted for the freshest salad experience.

Is this Caesar salad dressing safe for kids and pregnant women?

Since this recipe uses mayonnaise and does not include raw eggs, it’s considered a safer option. Always check the ingredient labels and use fresh mayo, especially if serving sensitive groups.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Caesar Salad with Sourdough Croutons isn’t just easy—it’s outstandingly delicious. Whether you’re new to making Caesar salad from scratch or it’s already a staple, trust me: once you taste those homemade sourdough croutons and creamy, garlicky dressing, you’ll want to make it over and over again. Grab your ingredients and get tossing—your best-ever Caesar salad awaits!

Easy Caesar Salad with Sourdough Croutons Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 30 reviews

Author: Ethan
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A classic Caesar salad with homemade sourdough croutons that are perfectly crispy and flavorful. This salad is dressed with a creamy, tangy dressing that complements the crisp romaine lettuce and salty Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Instructions

Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine garlic paste, anchovy paste, dijon mustard, worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, mayonnaise, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Sourdough Croutons: Toss sourdough pieces with melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Air fry at 400°F for 4 minutes or bake in the oven at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until crisp.
Salad: Rinse and dry romaine leaves, then cut into strips. Dress with Caesar dressing, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and toss well. Top with sourdough croutons.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

You can customize this salad by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon for a heartier meal.
For a vegetarian version, omit the anchovy paste or substitute with capers for a similar briny flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Mixing, Tossing, Air Frying, Baking
Cuisine: American