Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsPepino's Spaghetti HouseCaesar Salad, Parmesan Croutons Recipe

Caesar Salad, Parmesan Croutons Recipe

Time30m
Serves4

Make Caesar Salad, Parmesan Croutons Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Salad

Method

Parmesan Croutons

  1. 1

    Prep and toss bread

    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut day-old bread into 1/2-inch (1.2 cm) cubes to yield about 4 cups. In a large bowl combine 3 tbs extra-virgin olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbs grated Parmesan, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Add bread cubes and toss thoroughly so cubes are evenly coated.

  2. 2

    Bake croutons

    Spread coated bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, then stir or flip cubes and bake another 6–8 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Remove from oven and let cool on the sheet; they will crisp further as they cool.

Caesar Dressing

  1. 3

    Combine base ingredients

    In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbs Greek yogurt (if using), 2 chopped anchovy fillets (or 1 tsp anchovy paste), 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce until smooth.

  2. 4

    Season and finish

    Whisk in 2 tbs fresh lemon juice. Slowly whisk in 1 tbs olive oil to loosen the dressing and create a slightly glossy texture. Season with 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper and 1/4 tsp kosher salt, taste and adjust — add extra lemon for brightness, salt for seasoning, or a bit more anchovy/paste for savory depth. If dressing is too thick, whisk in water 1 tsp at a time to reach desired consistency.

Salad Assembly

  1. 5

    Prep lettuce and tomatoes

    Wash and thoroughly dry 1.5 heads of romaine lettuce. Remove core, then chop or tear leaves into bite-sized pieces. If using, halve 12 cherry tomatoes.

  2. 6

    Toss salad

    Place the romaine (and tomatoes, if using) in a large mixing bowl. Add about 2 tbs of the dressing and toss gently to coat. Add more dressing as needed to lightly coat leaves — you may have extra dressing for serving. Add 3 tbs freshly grated Parmesan and toss again.

  3. 7

    Add croutons and serve

    Scatter the warm or cooled Parmesan croutons over the dressed salad. Garnish with additional freshly grated Parmesan if desired and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for optional squeeze of fresh lemon.

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