Creamy Caesar Salad with Garlic Panko Recipe
This Creamy Caesar Salad with Garlic Panko combines crisp romaine hearts tossed in a rich, tangy homemade Caesar dressing with a crunchy garlic-infused panko topping. It’s a delightful twist on a classic salad, featuring zesty lemon, Worcestershire, and Dijon in the dressing, complemented by golden, seasoned panko breadcrumbs sautéed in butter for added texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Caesar Dressing
- 1 clove garlic (pressed)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Garlic Panko Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salad
- 4 hearts of romaine lettuce
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Make the Caesar dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the pressed garlic and lemon juice. Whisk in the mayonnaise, vegetable oil, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Chill the dressing for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend fully.
- Prepare the garlic panko topping: Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Once hot, melt the butter in the skillet, then add the panko bread crumbs, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir the mixture continuously and cook for 4-6 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Remove from heat immediately and transfer the breadcrumbs to a bowl to cool, preventing further cooking.
- Assemble the salad: Chop the romaine hearts into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle the chilled Caesar dressing over the greens and toss thoroughly to coat all leaves evenly. Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and the cooled garlic panko topping over the dressed salad. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast of creamy and crunchy textures.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for maximum flavor.
- Chilling the dressing helps the flavors meld and improves the overall taste.
- Stir the panko continuously when cooking to ensure even browning and prevent burning.
- Serve the salad immediately after assembling to keep the panko crispy.
- To make it lighter, substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for the dressing if desired.
Keywords: Caesar Salad, Garlic Panko, Creamy Salad Dressing, Homemade Caesar Dressing, Crunchy Salad Topping
