Classic Caesar Salad with Crushed Croutons

Caesar Salad is a classic for a reason. It’s loaded with umami and garlic flavor making it perfect for picky eaters or for those who don’t normally like salads. Make it into a complete dinner with some added protein.

Featured Ingredients

Lettuces contain several incredibly unique, health-promoting compounds not found in other vegetables. These include a special carotenoid called lactucaxanthin, which demonstrates anti-diabetic activity, as well as the compounds lactucin and lactucopicrin, which have potent pain-reducing properties and gentle sleep-inducing effects.

Lemons are the most nutrient-dense citrus fruit. They are particularly rich in vitamin C, providing more vitamin C than oranges per serving! Vitamin C has powerful antioxidant properties, along with serving as an enzyme cofactor, and playing important roles in immune system and mental health.

Garlic is the top food source of thiosulfinates, which are sulfur-containing compounds responsible for diverse health benefits including powerful anticancer properties as well as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-thrombotic effects.

Romaine Lettuce Nutrients

Lemon Nutrients

Garlic Nutrients

Classic Caesar Salad with Crushed Croutons

Nutrivore Score: 407

Prep Time 16 minutes minutes

Total Time 16 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 183kcal

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Ingredients

For the Dressing

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise homemade or store bought of choice
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 ounce Parmesan cheese microplaned fine, plus more for garnish, optional (leave out for dairy-free)
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• salt to taste if needed

For the Salad

• 8 cups romaine
• 20 individual croutons crushed, optional

Instructions

• Combine all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl stir until thoroughly combined.
• Cut romaine into bite sized pieces. Allow lettuce leaves soak in cold water, lift out of water leaving dirt in the bowl. Spin dry in a salad spinner or gently dry using towels.
• Mix dressing by the tablespoon full into romaine. Store any remaining dressing in the refrigerator to use another time or as a dip for vegetables instead of ranch. Divide dressed romaine into four bowls and sprinkle with additional Parmesan and crushed croutons. (See note)

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Classic Caesar Salad with Crushed Croutons

Amount per Serving

Calories

183

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

16

g

25

%

Saturated Fat

 

3

g

19

%

Trans Fat

 

0.04

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

9

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

4

g

Cholesterol

 

12

mg

4

%

Sodium

 

283

mg

12

%

Potassium

 

265

mg

8

%

Carbohydrates

 

8

g

3

%

Fiber

 

2

g

8

%

Sugar

 

1

g

1

%

Protein

 

4

g

8

%

Vitamin A

 

8229

IU

165

%

Vitamin C

 

7

mg

8

%

Calcium

 

84

mg

8

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

Make this salad dairy free by omitting the cheese. Make this salad gluten-free by using gluten-free bread. Or, use bacon instead of the croutons.