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Enjoy our easy-to-make Caesar Salad recipe, perfectly portioned for one and made with fresh, quality ingredients. This individual size classic salad, featuring a tasty homemade, eggless dressing, is ideal for anyone dining alone but can also be easily adjusted to serve more. It’s a simple yet elegant choice for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or a refreshing side dish, offering a flawless blend of simplicity and flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Caesar Salad Recipe
- Quick and Easy: It’s a hassle-free recipe that can be prepared quickly. For busy individuals or for anyone who is cooking for one, this is a perfect option for a satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.
- Classic and Tasty: Caesar salad is a beloved classic, and this recipe ensures that the flavors are balanced and delicious. The creamy dressing, savory croutons, and tangy Parmesan cheese come together to create a delightful combination.
- Restaurant Quality at Home: Making this Caesar salad at home allows people to enjoy a restaurant-quality dish without having to go out.
What Is Caesar Salad?
A classic and popular Caesar salad typically consists of romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a creamy Caesar dressing. It is named after its inventor, Caesar Cardini, an Italian-American restauranteur, who is credited with creating the iconic Caesar salad in the 1920s. Over the years, the Caesar salad has become a staple in many restaurants and households, loved for its simplicity, taste, and versatility.
Check out our other Single Serving Salad ideas!
Ingredients
This Caesar Salad centers around a straightforward mix of select, top-quality ingredients.
- 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 provides the distinct taste synonymous with a classic Caesar Salad. However, if you’re a vegetarian or simply don’t enjoy anchovies, consider substituting with capers. If you find yourself with leftover anchovy paste, don’t worry, it’s extremely versatile and has a long fridge-life. It can effortlessly enhance the flavor profile of numerous dishes such as sautéed vegetables, pasta, eggs, or tomato sauce, with just a small addition.
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.
Recipe Variations
This recipe is highly versatile, and the following variations can cater to different palates and dietary needs:
- Grilled Chicken Caesar Wraps: Roll the Caesar salad components, 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 satisfying pasta salad. 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, and then toss with the Caesar dressing. Top with tomatoes, cucumber, and feta cheese for a wholesome and protein-rich variation.
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: Ensure your romaine lettuce is fresh and crisp. Look for heads of lettuce with vibrant green leaves and no signs of wilting. Wash and dry the leaves thoroughly before assembling the salad to avoid excess moisture.
- Balance the Dressing: Be mindful of the dressing-to-salad ratio. You want enough dressing to coat the lettuce leaves evenly, but not so much that it becomes overly heavy. Start with a small amount of dressing and add more gradually, tossing as you go, until you achieve the desired coating.
- Use Quality Parmesan Cheese: Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese ensures you get the best possible taste, texture, and quality from this essential ingredient. Freshly grated Parmesan has a superior flavor compared to pre-packaged, pre-grated cheese.
- Add Grilled Protein: To turn your Caesar salad into a complete meal, consider adding grilled or baked chicken, shrimp, or your preferred protein.
- Experiment with Additional Ingredients: While the classic Caesar salad is wonderful on its own, don’t be afraid to get creative with additional toppings. Cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, roasted nuts, or even a sprinkle of fresh herbs can add interesting dimensions to the salad.
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 omit them. 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.
Serving Suggestions
There are countless ways to enjoy Caesar Salad. Here are some of our favorites:
- Serve with a Side of Soup: Pair your Caesar salad with a warm bowl of soup, such as Creamy Tomato Soup or Tortellini Soup.
- Incorporate Roasted Vegetables: Roasted cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or zucchini can be a delightful addition to the classic Caesar salad, adding complexity to the flavors.
- Crispy Prosciutto or Bacon Bits: Crumble some crispy prosciutto or bacon on top of the salad for an irresistible savory twist.
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:
- Lettuce: Greek Salad, Cobb Salad, Taco Salad, Southwest Wrap, Avocado Salad
- Garlic: Pepper Steak, Rosemary Garlic Biscuits, Broccoli Casserole, Paprika Chicken, Smothered Pork Chops
- Lemon juice: Pasta al Limone, Chicken Alfredo, Sheet Pan Salmon, Shrimp Scampi, Lemon Bars
- Dijon mustard: Poppy Seed Dressing, Creamy Mustard Chicken, Potato Salad, Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Worcestershire sauce: Buffalo Chicken Tenders, Reuben Sandwich, Baked Beans, Bloody Mary, Steak Fajitas
- Mayonnaise: Mexican Corn Dip, Squash Casserole, Macaroni Salad, Pineapple Lime Jello Salad, Ranch Dressing
- Parmesan cheese: Broiled Tomatoes, Pasta Carbonara, Cheesy Baked Eggs, Chicken Parmesan, Eggplant Parmesan
- Anchovy paste: Anchovy paste is a versatile ingredient that can be used to enhance the flavors of many dishes. In pasta dishes, adding a small amount of anchovy paste can provide a depth of umami flavor. When preparing a vegetable stir-fry, you can sauté anchovy paste with garlic and olive oil to create a flavorful base. The paste is also a great addition to salad dressings or vinaigrettes, offering a savory complexity. If you’re making marinades or rubs for meat or fish, a touch of anchovy paste can introduce a unique, savory note without overpowering the dish with a fishy taste. Lastly, a small quantity of anchovy paste can enrich the taste of soups or stews, particularly those with a tomato base. Remember that a small amount of anchovy paste goes a long way in infusing flavor into your meals.
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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
Make the dressing
- Combine garlic, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste, 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. Taste the dressing and add a pinch of salt if you feel it is necessary.
Assemble the salad
- In a medium-sized salad bowl, combine lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan cheese. Add the dressing and toss to combine.
Notes
- Use Fresh and Crisp Romaine Lettuce: Ensure your romaine lettuce is fresh and crisp. Look for heads of lettuce with vibrant green leaves and no signs of wilting. Wash and dry the leaves thoroughly before assembling the salad to avoid excess moisture.
- Balance the Dressing: Be mindful of the dressing-to-salad ratio. You want enough dressing to coat the lettuce leaves evenly, but not so much that it becomes overly heavy. Start with a small amount of dressing and add more gradually, tossing as you go, until you achieve the desired coating.
- Use Quality Parmesan Cheese: Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese ensures you get the best possible taste, texture, and quality from this essential ingredient. Freshly grated Parmesan has a superior flavor compared to pre-packaged, pre-grated cheese.
- Add Grilled Protein: To turn your Caesar salad into a complete meal, consider adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or your preferred protein.
- Experiment with Additional Ingredients: While the classic Caesar salad is wonderful on its own, don’t be afraid to get creative with additional toppings. Cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, roasted nuts, or even a sprinkle of fresh herbs can add interesting dimensions to the salad.
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.
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.