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This Caesar Salad is a fresh, flavorful classic made with crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a creamy, eggless Caesar dressing. It’s perfectly portioned for one and makes a quick, satisfying lunch or light dinner.
Featured Comment
“This was so good!! Absolutely delicious and so easy for a weeknight dinner. This recipe is better than a restaurant!”
– Maeve
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to Make: Comes together fast with simple ingredients.
- Classic Flavors: Creamy dressing, crisp lettuce, crunchy croutons, and tangy Parmesan in every bite.
- Better than a Restaurant: Enjoy a Caesar salad that feels like it came from your favorite restaurant.
Caesar Salad has been a staple on restaurant menus for decades, and for good reason. Created in the 1920s by Caesar Cardini, an Italian-American restaurateur, this simple salad made with crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a creamy dressing quickly became a favorite for its bold flavor and versatility.
I’ve taken all the elements that make a Caesar Salad so popular and scaled them down to create a single serving version that’s just right for one. It’s fresh, flavorful, and easy to pull together whenever you’re in the mood for something classic and satisfying. Whether you enjoy it on its own or top it with grilled chicken or shrimp, this salad is a great choice for a quick lunch or dinner.
Enjoy this salad with a single serving of tomato soup, tortellini soup for one, or chicken parmesan for one.
Looking for more single serving salad recipes? Try our brussels sprouts salad for one, Sicilian orange salad, or single serving spinach orzo salad.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serving Caesar salad recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Romaine Lettuce: Crisp and refreshing. You can also use baby spinach or kale. Extra lettuce can be used in a burger bowl, small Italian chopped salad, or to dress a hamburger.
- Croutons: Add crunch to the salad. Use homemade croutons or store-bought. For a gluten-free or lower-carb option, use chopped nuts.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, rich flavor.
- Anchovy Paste: Provides the classic Caesar salad flavor.
- Substitute: Use capers if you prefer a vegetarian option.
- Tip: Leftover anchovy paste lasts a long time in the fridge. Use a small amount to add savory depth to pasta, salad dressings, marinades, stir-fries, soups, or stews.
Recipe Variations
This Caesar salad can be easily customized to suit different preferences:
- Grilled Chicken Caesar Wraps: Add grilled chicken and wrap the salad in a homemade tortilla for a quick handheld meal.
- Caesar Pasta Salad: Toss penne or bowtie pasta with Caesar dressing, cherry tomatoes, grilled chicken, and Parmesan.
- Caesar Salad with Quinoa: Mix cooked quinoa with romaine and Caesar dressing. Add tomatoes, cucumber, and feta for a hearty option.
- With Roasted Vegetables: Add roasted cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or zucchini for extra flavor.
- Topped with Prosciutto or Bacon: Sprinkle crispy prosciutto or bacon bits over the salad for a savory finish.
How To Make A Caesar Salad
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
- Make the Caesar Dressing: In a blender or small food processor, combine the garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, and Parmesan cheese. Blend until smooth.
Pro Tip: Adjust the ingredients to your taste. Add more lemon for brightness or extra Parmesan for a cheesier flavor.
- Assemble the Salad: In a medium bowl, toss together the lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan cheese. Pour in the dressing and mix well to coat.
- Garnish: Top with more Parmesan, if desired.
Expert Tips
- Choose Fresh Romaine: Look for crisp, green leaves without wilting. Wash and dry well to prevent a soggy salad.
- Start Light with Dressing: Begin with a small amount and toss. Add more as needed to evenly coat the lettuce without weighing it down.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: It adds better flavor and texture than pre-grated cheese.
- Add Protein: Top the salad with a baked chicken breast, cooked shrimp, or our quick and easy air fryer steak to make it more filling.
- Try Extra Toppings: Add ingredients like cherry tomatoes, avocado, roasted nuts, or chopped herbs for extra flavor and crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Caesar salad dressing will keep for 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. Give it a stir or shake before using, as it may separate slightly.
Leftover Caesar dressing is great as a sandwich or wrap spread, a dip for raw vegetables, or a drizzle over baked or grilled chicken or roasted vegetables.
Yes, the dressing can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this single serving Caesar Salad recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Caesar Salad For One
Equipment
- mini food processor or blender
Ingredients
For the Dressing
- 1 clove garlic -rough chopped
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon anchovy paste
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
For the Salad
- 2 to 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce (about 3 ounces)
- ¼ cup croutons
- 2 tablespoons shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a blender or small food processor, combine the garlic, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste, and Parmesan cheese. Blend until smooth.Pro Tip: Adjust the ingredients to your taste. Add more lemon for brightness or extra Parmesan for a cheesier flavor.
- Assemble the Salad: In a medium bowl, toss together the lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan cheese. Pour in the dressing and mix well to coat.
- Garnish: Top with more Parmesan, if desired.
Notes
- Choose Fresh Romaine: Look for crisp, green leaves without wilting. Wash and dry well to prevent a soggy salad.
- Start Light with Dressing: Begin with a small amount and toss. Add more as needed to evenly coat the lettuce without weighing it down.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: It adds better flavor and texture than pre-grated cheese.
- Add Protein: Top the salad with a baked chicken breast, cooked shrimp, or our quick and easy air fryer steak to make it more filling.
- Try Extra Toppings: Add ingredients like cherry tomatoes, avocado, roasted nuts, or chopped herbs for extra flavor and crunch.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This was so good!! Absolutely delicious and so easy for a weeknight dinner. This recipe is better than a restaurant!
Thank you!
Very good recipe. I love Caesar Salad and now I don’t have to go out to get it The local stores didn’t have anchovies paste, and someone suggested oyster sauce and it worked out great Makes about 4-5 tbsp of dressing. One and a half tablespoons was enough for my side salad. I put the rest in a small covered container in the refrigerator for another day
Very good recipe. I love Caesar Salad and now I don’t have to go out to get it The local stores didn’t have anchovies paste, and someone suggested oyster sauce and it worked out great
This recipe is sooo good, I am never buying Caesar again. I add one more garlic clove because I love garlic and it’s never enough, and last time I added a bit of water to thin it out. The anchovy paste makes it. Cannot get enough. Thanks Joanie 😁
Excellent and so easy! Thank you, Joanie for another winning recipe.
Love your recipes! Easy tasty and delicious! I will be making this son. The Mongolian Beef is absolutely delicious I did add chopped jalapeños to the sauce (be careful not to get too spicy) servers it over rice and had enough to share with my neighbor! The lasagne is also delicious! Thank you!
Great recipe.