Roasted Asparagus Caesar Salad (Printable Version)

Tender roasted asparagus, crisp romaine, and crunchy croutons tossed in a yogurt Caesar dressing for a light, satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed
02 - 2 large romaine hearts, chopped
03 - 1 small garlic clove, minced

→ Croutons

04 - 2 cups day-old baguette or bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1/4 tsp salt
07 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Caesar Yogurt Dressing

08 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
09 - 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
11 - 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
13 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
14 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
15 - 1/4 tsp salt
16 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
17 - 1 egg yolk, optional

→ Garnish

18 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
19 - Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Toss bread cubes with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread on one baking sheet.
03 - Arrange asparagus on the second sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
04 - Roast asparagus for 10-12 minutes until tender and lightly charred. Roast croutons for 12-15 minutes, tossing halfway, until golden and crisp.
05 - In a medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, Parmesan, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and egg yolk if using until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
06 - In a large salad bowl, toss chopped romaine with half the dressing.
07 - Arrange roasted asparagus over the dressed romaine. Top with croutons and shaved Parmesan. Drizzle with remaining dressing and finish with cracked black pepper.
08 - Serve immediately while croutons remain crisp.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasted asparagus provides a smoky, charred depth that elevates the entire salad.
  • A lighter, protein-rich Greek yogurt dressing offers all the creaminess of a traditional Caesar with a refreshing tang.
  • Homemade croutons made from day-old bread deliver a superior crunch and flavor compared to store-bought alternatives.
  • It is a quick and healthy vegetarian meal that comes together in just 35 minutes.
02 -
  • Use day-old bread for the croutons as it has less moisture and will become much crispier than fresh bread.
  • Don't overcrowd the baking sheets; giving the asparagus and bread cubes space ensures they roast rather than steam.
  • The dressing can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the fridge, but wait to toss the salad until just before serving to keep the romaine crisp.
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