Ensalada Cesar (Classic Caesar Salad)

The perfect Ensalada Cesar recipe for an easy weeknight dinner, lunch or for gatherings. With homemade croutons and a creamy dressing.

Course appetizer or lunch, Main Dish

Cuisine Italian, Mexican

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 5

Total Time 20

Servings Servings

Calories 395kcal

2 cups baguette, ciabatta, or any bread of your choice cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tablespoons olive oil
Herbs or seasonings of your choice (e.g., dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning)
Salt and pepper, to taste

16 cups chopped romaine lettuce (about 2 heads) large outer leaves discarded, washed, dried.
1 cup parmesan cheese in slivers or grated.
2 cups choice of protein: grilled or baked chicken. Grilled shrimp. optional
2 Boiled eggs, cut in half. optional

Whisk all ingredients together in bowl. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
⅔ cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (= 1 whole lemon), 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 garlic cloves, 3 anchovy fillets, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon table salt (just a pinch)

Preheat your oven or air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Ensure the oven rack is in the center position.
In a large mixing bowl, drizzle the olive oil over the bread cubes. Sprinkle with the herbs, salt and pepper. Toss well to combine and saturate all cubes.
2 cups baguette, ciabatta, or any bread of your choice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, Herbs or seasonings of your choice (e.g., dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning), Salt and pepper, to taste
Spread the cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the croutons are golden brown and crisp. Keep a close eye on them, as they can quickly go from golden to burnt.

Toss lettuce with enough dressing to cover the lettuce. Add more if needed. Then add the croutons, 3/4 cup Parmesan, optional protein. Toss to combine.
Note: remember, when it comes to salad dressings, "You can always add but you cannot take away!". Add a little bit at the beginning then add more to taste.
Serve on separate plates and sprinkle with more cheese if desired.

- Use fresh and crisp romaine lettuce as the base. Check for any wilted or discolored leaves and remove them.
- Invest in good-quality Parmesan cheese and grate it fresh for the best flavor.
- For homemade croutons, use day-old bread or baguette for optimal crunchiness.Storing: Use an airtight container and place a few paper towels in the container to absorb moisture. Store all ingredients separately to avoid a soggy salad.
- Nutrition per serving assuming 4 servings as a side dish (no protein included) with 2/3 of the Dressing used.