Caesar Salad for One

Make a delicious and satisfying single serving Caesar salad with this easy recipe! Made with fresh ingredients and homemade dressing.

It’s an absolute joy to share our “Caesar Salad For One” recipe with you. This classic, elegant salad, complete with an eggless homemade dressing, is sized just right for a solo diner, but effortlessly doubles or triples for company. It’s the embodiment of simplicity and flavor—ideal for a quick lunch, light dinner, or refreshing side.

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.

Ingredient Notes And Substitutions

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.

How To Make Caesar Salad For One

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

Serving Suggestions

There are countless ways to enjoy Caesar Salad. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Serve with a Side of Soup: Pair your Caesar salad with a warm bowl of soup, such as Creamy Tomato Soup or Tortellini Soup.
2. 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.
3. Crispy Prosciutto or Bacon Bits: Crumble some crispy prosciutto or bacon on top of the salad for an irresistible savory twist.

Recipe Variations

This recipe is highly versatile, and the following variations can cater to different palates and dietary needs:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

Chicken and Rice For One

Chicken Spaghetti For One

Chicken Enchiladas Verde For One

Chicken Chili For One

• 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.