Creamy Caesar Salad with Garlic Panko Topping Recipe
This Creamy Caesar Salad with Garlic Panko offers a fresh twist on the classic favorite, combining a rich, homemade Caesar dressing with crispy, flavorful garlic panko breadcrumbs. Perfect as a light meal or side, this easy-to-make salad brings together crisp romaine lettuce, zesty dressing, and a delightfully crunchy topping for vibrant texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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
- 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 well blended. Chill the dressing for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the garlic panko topping: Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Once hot, melt the butter and add the panko breadcrumbs along with salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir continuously and cook for 4-6 minutes until the breadcrumbs turn golden brown. Immediately remove from heat and transfer to a bowl to cool, preventing further cooking.
- Assemble the salad: Chop the romaine hearts and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle with the chilled Caesar dressing and toss thoroughly to coat all leaves evenly. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and the cooled garlic panko breadcrumb topping over the salad. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- The garlic panko topping can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Adjust the lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce to taste for more acidity or depth.
- This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein.
- For a lighter option, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
Keywords: Creamy Caesar Salad, Garlic Panko, Homemade Caesar Dressing, Romaine Salad, Crunchy Salad Topping
