Romaine Caesar Bowl (Printable)

Hearty romaine with creamy Caesar dressing, crunchy croutons, and your choice of protein for a satisfying bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

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

# Step-by-Step Guide:

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 to 10 minutes until golden and crisp. Cool completely before using.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, anchovies, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until well combined.
03 - Grill chicken breasts and slice into strips, or roast drained 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 halved cherry tomatoes and shaved Parmesan cheese.
05 - Top salad with cooled croutons and your chosen protein. Drizzle with remaining dressing and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It actually fills you up, which means you won't be raiding the pantry an hour later.
  • The homemade dressing tastes nothing like the bottled stuff, and people always ask for the secret.
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble in minutes when hunger strikes.
02 -
  • Never dress a salad more than a few minutes before serving, or you'll end up with a sad, wilted mess no matter how crisp your lettuce started.
  • The dressing keeps in a jar for up to three days, so you can make it ahead and transform any leftover greens into lunch throughout the week.
03 -
  • Pat your lettuce completely dry after washing—any lingering water dilutes the dressing and makes the salad taste weak.
  • Keep everything cold until the very last moment, then let the warmth of the croutons and protein do the work of bringing out all those flavors.
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