Best 5 Simple Caesar Salad Recipes

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Craving a quick and easy salad that's packed with flavor? Look no further than the Caesar salad, a timeless classic that has delighted taste buds for decades. Originating from Tijuana, Mexico, this iconic dish features crisp romaine lettuce tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and black pepper. The addition of crunchy croutons and a sprinkling of freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds delightful textural contrast and extra savory notes. In this article, we'll take you through two variations of Caesar salad: the classic version and a lighter, healthier rendition. Both recipes are incredibly simple to make, requiring minimal ingredients and preparation time, making them perfect for busy weeknight dinners or quick lunches.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SIMPLE CAESAR SALAD DRESSING



Simple Caesar Salad Dressing image

This flavorful vinaigrette takes the work out of Caesar salad dressing!

Provided by sal

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Salad Dressing Recipes     Caesar Dressing Recipes

Time 5m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

⅓ cup lemon juice
⅓ cup white vinegar
⅓ cup water
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 ½ tablespoons prepared Dijon-style mustard
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a jar with a lid, combine lemon juice, vinegar, water, cheese, mustard, garlic powder and pepper. Cover and shake well. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 19.3 calories, Carbohydrate 2.2 g, Cholesterol 1.8 mg, Fat 0.7 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 1.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 159.8 mg, Sugar 0.3 g

SIMPLE GRILLED CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD



Simple Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad image

This recipe is simple, but it always gets great reviews.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 35m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon seasoned salt
2 to 3 slices day-old bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
6 cups torn romaine
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup creamy Caesar salad dressing

Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine the butter, garlic powder and seasoned salt; add bread cubes and toss to coat. Place on a baking sheet; bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown., Pour Italian dressing into a large resealable plastic bag; add chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for at least 3 hours. , Drain and discard marinade. Grill chicken, uncovered, over medium heat or broil 4-6 in. from the heat for 6-7 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. Cut into strips or cubes; refrigerate until chilled., Just before serving, combine the romaine, cheese, croutons and chicken in a salad bowl. Drizzle with Caesar dressing; toss gently to coat.

Nutrition Facts :

SIMPLE MOCK CAESAR SALAD



Simple Mock Caesar Salad image

"I first tried this simple salad at a dinner party," recalls Carol Bland, Banning, California. "The hostess wouldn't part with her secret recipe, so I experimented until I perfected the thick Parmesan-and-garlic dressing myself."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 10m

Yield 6-8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 5

3 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/3 cup olive oil
7 cups torn romaine

Steps:

  • In a blender, combine the vinegar, cheese and garlic powder; cover and process until combined. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. , Place romaine in a salad bowl; drizzle with dressing and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 108 calories, Fat 10g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 89mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

GRILLED SIMPLE CAESAR SALAD



Grilled Simple Caesar Salad image

While the anchovies add a deeper flavor to the salad, feel free to omit them if you don't like fish.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 heads romaine lettuce, trimmed and halved lengthwise
Extra-virgin olive oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Shaved Parmesan cheese
2 anchovy fillets (optional)

Steps:

  • Heat a cast-iron grill pan. Brush cut sides of the romaine with olive oil. Generously sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until charred and blackened in a few places, about 2 minutes.
  • Place the lettuce pieces on a platter. Drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice, and shaved Parmesan. Garnish with anchovies, if desired.

SIMPLE CAESAR SALAD



Simple Caesar Salad image

In the summer, I'll mix fresh tomato slices and vegetables from our garden in with the salad. I also experiment with different kinds of lettuce than romaine.-Carolene Esayenko, Calgary, Alberta

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 5m

Yield 4-6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 5

6 cups torn romaine
1/2 cup Caesar salad croutons
2 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup creamy Caesar salad dressing

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the romaine, croutons, bacon and cheese. Add dressing and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the taste of your salad.
  • Make your own croutons. It's easy to do and they taste much better than store-bought croutons.
  • Don't overdress the salad. A little bit of dressing goes a long way.
  • Toss the salad gently. You don't want to bruise the lettuce.
  • Serve the salad immediately. Caesar salad is best when it's fresh.

Conclusion:

Caesar salad is a classic for a reason. It's simple, delicious, and versatile. You can easily customize it to your own taste by adding different ingredients, such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or avocado. No matter how you make it, Caesar salad is sure to be a hit at your next gathering.

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