Original Cesar Cardini Caesar Salad

Discover the timeless elegance of the Original Cesar Cardini Caesar Salad, a classic recipe that captures the essence of fresh, bold flavors. Featuring crisp Romaine lettuce tossed in a perfectly balanced homemade dressing, this salad blends the creamy richness of egg yolk, the zing of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and the savory depth of Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard. Hand-tossed croutons, baked to golden perfection, add a satisfying crunch, while a generous sprinkle of finely grated Parmesan cheese ties it all together. Ready in just 30 minutes, this authentic Caesar salad is a crowd-pleasing centerpiece for any meal, whether as a light lunch or an impressive dinner starter. Enjoy this iconic dish as it was meant to be—pure, simple, and bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavor. Perfect for anyone searching for the "best homemade Caesar salad" or "authentic Caesar Cardini salad recipe."

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 heads Romaine lettuce
• 1 clove Garlic clove (minced)
• 1 Egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 0.333 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese (finely grated)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper (freshly ground)
• 2 cups Day-old bread (cubed)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil (for croutons)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Prepare the croutons: Toss the cubed day-old bread with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Spread the bread cubes evenly on a baking sheet.

Step 3

Bake the croutons for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Remove and set aside to cool.

Step 4

Wash the Romaine lettuce thoroughly, pat it dry with paper towels, and tear it into bite-sized pieces. Place it in a large salad bowl.

Step 5

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, egg yolk, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard.

Step 6

Slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify the dressing.

Step 7

Add the grated Parmesan cheese, 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and 0.5 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper to the dressing. Whisk until well combined.

Step 8

Pour the dressing over the Romaine lettuce and toss until evenly coated.

Step 9

Add the cooled croutons to the salad and toss gently.

Step 10

Serve immediately, garnishing with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a grind of black pepper, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1672.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2033.2

Total Fat 133.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 28.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0g
Cholesterol 220.2mg	0%
Sodium 3815.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 162.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.2g	0%
Total Sugars 19.2g
Protein 66.2g	0%

Vitamin D 42.0IU	0%
Calcium 1290.2mg	0%
Iron 15.5mg	0%
Potassium 2729.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 56.8%

Protein: 12.5%

Carbs: 30.7%