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You’ll love this easy Caesar Salad recipe, perfectly portioned just for one! Made with fresh, quality ingredients, this classic salad features a delicious homemade, eggless dressing. It’s ideal for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or a refreshing side dish. Plus, you can easily adjust it to serve more if needed. Enjoy the perfect balance of simplicity and flavor with every bite.
Enjoy this delicious single serve Caesar salad as a light lunch. Pair it with a comforting bowl of Creamy Tomato Soup, flavorful Tortellini Soup, or tender Chicken Parmesan for a satisfying meal.
Why You’ll Love This Caesar Salad Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This hassle-free recipe is perfect for busy individuals or anyone cooking for one. It can be prepared quickly, offering a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.
- Classic and Tasty: Enjoy the balanced and delicious flavors of this beloved classic Caesar salad. The creamy dressing, savory croutons, and tangy Parmesan cheese create a delightful combination.
- Restaurant Quality at Home: Make this Caesar salad at home and enjoy a restaurant-quality dish without leaving your house.
What Is Caesar Salad?
Caesar salad is a classic and popular dish made with romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a creamy Caesar dressing. It was invented by Caesar Cardini, an Italian-American restaurateur, in the 1920s. This salad has become a favorite in many restaurants and homes for its simplicity, great taste, and versatility.
Our single serving version offers all the delicious flavors you love in a perfectly portioned size. If you’re looking for a quick and satisfying meal, this Caesar salad is an excellent choice.
Check out our other Single Serving Salad ideas!
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy Caesar salad recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Romaine lettuce provides a crisp, refreshing base, but baby spinach or kale can also be used.
- Croutons lend a delightful crunch to the salad. Use our recipe for a small batch of croutons or use store-bought croutons. If you prefer a gluten-free or lower-carb option, consider replacing them with chopped nuts.
- Parmesan cheese offers a rich, savory touch.
- Anchovy paste Anchovy paste gives Caesar salad its classic taste. If you’re vegetarian or don’t like anchovies, try using capers instead. Leftover anchovy paste is very versatile and lasts a long time in the fridge. A small amount can enhance the flavor of many dishes. In pasta, it adds a rich umami depth. For vegetable stir-fries, sauté it with garlic and olive oil to create a flavorful base. It’s also great in salad dressings or vinaigrettes, adding a savory complexity. When making marinades or rubs for meat or fish, a touch of anchovy paste introduces a unique savory note without overpowering the dish. It can also enrich soups or stews, especially those with a tomato base. Remember, a little anchovy paste goes a long way in boosting flavor.
Recipe Variations
This recipe is highly versatile, and these variations can cater to different tastes and dietary needs:
- Grilled Chicken Caesar Wraps: Roll the Caesar salad ingredients, including grilled chicken and dressing, into a large tortilla or wrap. This turns the salad into a portable and satisfying meal.
- Caesar Pasta Salad: Combine the flavors of a Caesar salad with cooked pasta for a unique and filling dish. Use penne or bowtie pasta and toss it with the classic Caesar dressing, cherry tomatoes, grilled chicken, and Parmesan cheese.
- Caesar Salad with Quinoa: Mix cooked quinoa with chopped romaine lettuce, then toss with the Caesar dressing. Top with tomatoes, cucumber, and feta cheese for a wholesome and protein-rich variation.
- Incorporate Roasted Vegetables: Add roasted cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or zucchini to the classic Caesar salad for extra flavor and complexity.
- Crispy Prosciutto or Bacon Bits: Sprinkle some crispy prosciutto or bacon on top of the salad for an irresistible savory twist.
How To Make Caesar Salad For One
- Make the dressing: Combine garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, and Parmesan cheese in a blender or a small food processor and blend until smooth.
Pro Tip: Feel free to adjust the dressing ingredients to better suit your palate. Whether it’s extra lemon for a tangier profile or more Parmesan for a cheesier note, this dressing is yours to play with.
- Assemble the salad: In a medium-sized salad bowl, combine lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan cheese. Add the dressing and toss to combine.
Pro Tip: If you have some extra time and day-old bread, consider making homemade croutons. They can add an even greater crunch.
- Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese.
Expert Tips
- Use Fresh and Crisp Romaine Lettuce: Make sure your romaine lettuce is fresh and crisp. Look for vibrant green leaves with no wilting. Wash and dry the leaves thoroughly to avoid excess moisture before assembling the salad.
- Balance the Dressing: Pay attention to the dressing-to-salad ratio. You want enough dressing to coat the lettuce evenly, but not so much that it becomes heavy. Start with a small amount of dressing and add more gradually, tossing as you go, until the lettuce is perfectly coated.
- Use Quality Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese provides the best taste, texture, and quality. It has a superior flavor compared to pre-packaged, pre-grated cheese, enhancing the overall taste of your salad.
- Add Grilled Protein: For a complete meal, add grilled or baked chicken, shrimp, or your preferred protein to your Caesar salad.
- Experiment with Additional Ingredients: While a classic Caesar salad is wonderful on its own, don’t hesitate to get creative with extra toppings. Add cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, roasted nuts, or fresh herbs to introduce new flavors and textures.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the individual components can be prepared ahead of time, it’s best to mix and dress the salad just before serving to ensure the lettuce and croutons stay crisp.
Yes, you can make the Caesar salad dressing ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Be sure to give the dressing a good stir to recombine the ingredients before using.
While romaine lettuce is the traditional choice for a Caesar salad, feel free to use other types of lettuce or greens, such as kale, baby spinach, or arugula. Keep in mind, each will give the salad a slightly different flavor and texture.
While anchovies lend a unique salty and briny flavor to the dressing without making it taste fishy, they aren’t strictly necessary. If you prefer to avoid anchovies, it’s fine to leave them out. Consider replacing with capers to maintain a similar briny note in the flavor profile.
Certainly. While the homemade dressing provides superior flavor, a store-bought dressing is a good alternative when pressed for time.
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:
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Caesar Salad For One
Equipment
- mini food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 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
- 2 to 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce (about 3 ounces)
- ¼ cup croutons
- 2 tablespoons shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a blender or small food processor, combine garlic, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste, and Parmesan cheese. Blend until smooth. Pro Tip: Adjust the dressing ingredients to your taste. Add more lemon for tanginess or more Parmesan for a cheesier flavor. Taste the dressing and add a pinch of salt if needed.
- In a medium salad bowl, mix lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan cheese. Add the dressing and toss until everything is well coated.
Notes
- Use Fresh and Crisp Romaine Lettuce: Make sure your romaine lettuce is fresh and crisp. Look for vibrant green leaves with no wilting. Wash and dry the leaves thoroughly to avoid excess moisture before assembling the salad.
- Balance the Dressing: Pay attention to the dressing-to-salad ratio. You want enough dressing to coat the lettuce evenly, but not so much that it becomes heavy. Start with a small amount of dressing and add more gradually, tossing as you go, until the lettuce is perfectly coated.
- Use Quality Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese provides the best taste, texture, and quality. It has a superior flavor compared to pre-packaged, pre-grated cheese, enhancing the overall taste of your salad.
- Add Grilled Protein: For a complete meal, add grilled or baked chicken, shrimp, or your preferred protein to your Caesar salad.
- Experiment with Additional Ingredients: While a classic Caesar salad is wonderful on its own, don’t hesitate to get creative with extra toppings. Add cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, roasted nuts, or fresh herbs to introduce new flavors and textures.
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.