Pesto Caesar Salad

13 Reviews
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Photo: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
Yield
6 servings
By David Bonom
September 2009
RECIPE BY Cooking Light

Dress up traditional Caesar salad dressing by adding storebought pesto for a delicious side salad. 

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces French bread baguette, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Cooking spray
  • 2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • 1/4 cup organic canola mayonnaise (such as Spectrum)
  • 3 tablespoons refrigerated pesto
  • 4 teaspoons water
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 12 cups torn romaine lettuce

Nutritional Information

  • Calories 202
  • Fat 14.3g
  • Satfat 2.3g
  • Monofat 6.2g
  • Polyfat 5.4g
  • Protein 6.2g
  • Carbohydrate 13.6g
  • Fiber 2.9g
  • Cholesterol 15mg
  • Iron 1.9mg
  • Sodium 331mg
  • Calcium 131mg

How to Make It

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400°.

Step 2

Place bread in a large bowl; drizzle with oil. Toss to coat. Arrange bread in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes or until golden, turning once.

Step 3

Grate 2 tablespoons cheese; shave remaining cheese to equal about 6 tablespoons. Set shaved cheese aside.

Step 4

Combine grated cheese, mayonnaise, and next 8 ingredients (through garlic) in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Combine croutons and lettuce in a large bowl. Drizzle mayonnaise mixture over lettuce mixture; toss to coat.

Step 5

Place 1 1/3 cups salad on each of 6 plates; top each serving with 1 tablespoon shaved cheese.

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Ratings & Reviews

Delicious

Kairuh30
September 08, 2015
Super easy.  But don't count on leftovers unless you keep the dressing separate.  Will make again.

gkd1029's Review

daneanp
March 28, 2014
N/A

VickiTauer's Review

Trishia64
November 24, 2013
N/A

Kairuh30's Review

chelsivia
June 16, 2012
Hands down the best Caesar dressing I've ever had. I recommend including the anchovy, even though I actually don't like anchovies personally. It adds depth to the flavor, but there is no distinct fishy taste -- there are so many other flavors that stand out (hot sauce, pesto, etc).

chelsivia's Review

SheriofTetonV
April 23, 2012
N/A

MyRecipesFan's Review

MyRecipesFan
March 15, 2011
I made this for dinner last night - this salad is restaurant quality! I couldn't believe it! Very easy to make! The only thing I did different is I omitted the anchovy paste (I don't like anchovies). I'll definately make this again!

SheriofTetonV's Review

Wildflower5150
May 27, 2010
Delicious and easy. My kids loved it too(I omitted the anchovy paste). I served it with a meatless noodle main dish, but it can be served with any meal or is a meal in itself.

DenverJulieB's Review

gkd1029
February 18, 2010
My husband and I LOVE this recipe. Throw some seasoned grilled chicken on top and it makes a great main course! I added a little EVOO to my dressing.

carolfitz's Review

carolfitz
February 06, 2010
Assembled to recipe with a bit more Tabasco due to sloppiness on my part. Assertive flavors, creamy dressing, definitely would make for guests or potlucks. Served as first course to CL's steak tips with peppered mushroom gravy.

Wildflower5150's Review

CharleneA
October 11, 2009
This was terrific, easy to make. I forgot to add the extra clove of garlic, but didn't miss it at all. A nice change of pace from regular ceasar dressing!