Romaine Caesar Bowl (Printer-Friendly)

Crisp romaine with creamy Caesar dressing, golden croutons, and protein for a hearty meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, washed, dried, and chopped
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - ½ cup shaved Parmesan cheese

→ Croutons

04 - 3 cups day-old bread, cubed
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
07 - ¼ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Protein

09 - 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced
10 - or 1 can chickpeas, drained and roasted
11 - or 8 ounces grilled shrimp

→ Caesar Dressing

12 - ¼ cup mayonnaise
13 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
14 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
15 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
16 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
17 - 1 garlic clove, minced
18 - 2 anchovy fillets, finely minced
19 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
20 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How To Make It:

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 use.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, anchovies, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
03 - Grill chicken breasts and slice, 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, mixing gently to combine.
05 - Top salad with prepared croutons, selected protein, and drizzle with remaining dressing. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Fresh and Hearty: Combines crisp romaine with a protein of your choice for a filling meal.
  • Customizable: Easily adapted for vegetarian diets or different protein preferences like shrimp or chicken.
  • Quick Preparation: A restaurant-quality salad ready in just 30 minutes.
02 -
  • Allergen Alert: This recipe contains Wheat, Eggs, Fish, and Milk. For a gluten-free version, substitute croutons with gluten-free bread cubes.
  • Classic Flavor: Don't skip the anchovies unless necessary for diet; they provide the essential umami depth of a traditional Caesar.
  • Crunch Factor: Using day-old bread for the croutons results in a better texture that holds up against the dressing.
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