I’m a huge fan of a good Caesar salad—but let’s be honest, they’re hard to come by. Too often, the croutons are overly chunky and overpower the dish, the dressing is over-applied, and the cheese… well, it’s not true Parmigiano Reggiano, which makes all the difference!
This version keeps all the traditional elements except for two: anchovies and egg. While some might swear by them, they’re just not my favorites, and I find their flavors don’t necessarily add much to the overall experience. Instead, I’ve crafted a dressing with olive oil, mayo, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, finely grated Parmesan, garlic, and a touch of salt and pepper—it’s creamy, tangy, and absolutely delicious.
Now for the fun part: the nontraditional twists! Instead of croutons, I use toasted panko breadcrumbs sautéed with butter and crispy pancetta. These breadcrumbs, borrowed from my Lemony Garlic Pasta recipe, are so addictive you might want to make extra for snacking! Finally, I borrowed the idea of adding avocado from a California Caesar. The creamy, rich avocado takes this salad to the next level in both flavor and texture.
I hope you’ll love this version as much as I do—scroll down for the recipe and enjoy!
Doesn’t this salad look absolutely mouthwatering? I wish you could taste it straight from the picture! It’s not only incredibly flavorful but also so much easier to make than a traditional Caesar salad.
I’ve been wanting a Caesar salad bowl for the longest time, and my daughters surprised me with this gorgeous one for my birthday! I served the salad on dinner plates from Haand Ceramics, and it looks so beautiful against the crisp white plates. It’s all about those little details!
Ingredients:
- 2 large heads of romaine lettuce
- Finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 avocado, thinly sliced
- 1 cup toasted panko breadcrumbs:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 oz pancetta cubes or finely chopped pancetta
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste (make extra if you want to nibble on them!)
For the Creamy Caesar Dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 large garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/8 cup mayonnaise
- Juice of 1 juicy lemon
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons very finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
- Wash and slice your romaine lettuce.
- Add the desired amount of dressing to the lettuce and toss to coat.
- Top with about a cup of grated Parmesan cheese (or more if you like!).
- Add the toasted breadcrumbs and avocado slices, and toss again to combine.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings, adding more salt and pepper if needed.
- Enjoy your mouthwatering, fresh Caesar salad!
CONCLUSION
This untraditional Caesar salad is a game-changer! With creamy avocado, crispy pancetta-infused panko breadcrumbs, and a deliciously smooth homemade dressing, it’s a fresh take on a classic that’s full of flavor and texture. It’s simple to make, yet it feels special enough to serve for any occasion. The addition of toasted breadcrumbs gives it that perfect crunch, and the rich, creamy dressing ties everything together beautifully. I hope you love it as much as I do—it’s the perfect balance of freshness, creaminess, and crunch in every bite! Enjoy!
