Romaine Caesar Bowl (Printable)

Crisp romaine with tangy homemade Caesar dressing, crunchy croutons, and protein

# What You Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, washed, dried, and chopped
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

→ Croutons

04 - 3 cups day-old bread, cubed
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Protein

09 - 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced (or 1 can chickpeas, drained and roasted, or 8 ounces grilled shrimp)

→ Caesar Dressing

10 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
11 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
12 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
13 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
14 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
15 - 1 garlic clove, minced
16 - 2 anchovy fillets, finely minced
17 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
18 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp. Cool completely.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, anchovies, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
03 - Prepare protein of choice: grill chicken breasts and slice; or roast chickpeas at 400°F tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper for 20 minutes; or grill shrimp until just cooked through.
04 - In a large bowl, toss chopped romaine with half the Caesar dressing. Add cherry tomatoes and shaved Parmesan cheese.
05 - Top salad with croutons and prepared protein. Drizzle remaining dressing over top and serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes, making weeknight dinner feel less like a chore and more like a choice.
  • The homemade dressing tastes so creamy and tangy that you'll find yourself making it for other salads, grain bowls, and even veggie platters.
  • You can build it around whatever protein you have on hand, so it never feels repetitive.
02 -
  • Wet lettuce is the enemy of a good Caesar, so dry your romaine thoroughly and don't dress the salad more than 15 minutes before eating or it will wilt and become sad.
  • Make the dressing at least an hour before serving so the flavors meld together, and the anchovies lose their raw fishiness and become this subtle, savory whisper.
03 -
  • Chill your salad bowl in the freezer for five minutes before adding the lettuce, this keeps everything cooler longer and makes the whole eating experience feel more luxurious.
  • If you're making this ahead for meal prep, keep the croutons separate and only add them right before eating so they stay crunchy instead of turning soggy.
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