Broccoli Caesar Salad
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This broccoli caesar salad combines crispy roasted broccoli with the familiar flavors of a classic caesar salad. It's a hearty, nutritious, and flavorful salad that pairs perfectly with pasta but compliments just about any meal. The homemade dressing makes enough for leftovers, and it's all ready in just 30 minutes!
For more tasty takes on the classic caesar salad, try our brussels sprouts caesar salad and hearty kale caesar salad.
This broccoli caesar salad has all the components of a classic caesar but with an elevated mix of textures and flavors. We roast the broccoli until it's tender and sweet, swap traditional bacon for the delicate taste of prosciutto, and toss in some homemade croutons. It's easy enough that you can enjoy it on a weeknight with a bowl of your favorite pasta, yet elegant enough to serve when entertaining!
Ingredient notes
Less is more when it comes to the ingredients in this roasted broccoli caesar salad.
- Prosciutto: we swap traditional bacon for prosciutto; its grown-up, salt-cured relative. When fried, prosciutto adds a nice salty crunch to the salad.
- Homemade caesar salad dressing: our easy caesar dressing is quick, creamy, and full of garlic flavor. You'll only need about half of the recipe for this salad, so you'll have some you can use for another salad later in the week ā bonus!
- Croutons: we use homemade croutons which are much tastier than store-bought, and you can bake them at the same time as the broccoli. You can use gluten-free bread as well. If you're short on time, caesar-style croutons from the store work as well.
Plus, you'll need a few other simple ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil, salt, black pepper, shaved parmesan cheese, and lemon slices (for serving).
How to make broccoli caesar salad
Nothing compares to a caesar salad with homemade ingredients like this one! Here's how we make it in a few easy steps:
- Drizzle your raw broccoli florets with olive oil and then roast until they're nice and golden brown.
- Fry the prosciutto in a skillet until it's crispy, then break it into bite-size pieces.
- If you're making the dressing and croutons, do that while the broccoli is in the oven.
- Toss all the salad ingredients together in a bowl, drizzle on the dressing, and serve with some extra parmesan and lemon slices.
What to serve with broccoli caesar salad
This roasted broccoli caesars salad is hearty enough that you can enjoy it as a meal on its own, but it pairs perfectly with other Italian-inspired foods such as our cheesy white bean tomato bake,Ā lemon chicken pasta, or butternut squash pizza. Why not wash down this delicious side dish the Italian way with a glass of red wine or a negroni sbagliato?
For more delicious broccoli, try this air fryer broccoli!
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
You can prepare the dressing, the prosciutto, and the croutons up to 1 day ahead of time. For the best texture, we recommend roasting the broccoli and tossing everything together with the dressing right before serving.
How long does the dressing keep in the fridge?
Store the leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Can I use pancetta instead of prosciutto?
Pancetta and prosciutto come from different parts of the pig so they have a different taste and texture. That said, pancetta makes a delicious but different substitute!
Broccoli Caesar Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 medium heads of broccoli (cut into small florets)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Ā¼ teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
- 8 ounces prosciutto
- Ā½ cup caesar salad dressing (see notes)
- 1 cup croutons (see notes)
- Ā¼ cup shaved parmesan (see notes)
- Lemon slices (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Pile the broccoli florets on a baking tray, drizzle with the oil, and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Use your hands to mix the broccoli so that every piece is lightly coated in the oil. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until they are tender and covered in dark golden spots.2 medium heads of broccoli, 2 tablespoons olive oil, Ā¼ teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
- Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the prosciutto, working in batches if needed, and cook until crispy, about 3 minutes per side. When it's cool enough to handle, break the crispy prosciutto into pieces.8 ounces prosciutto
- If you're making homemade croutons and dressing, make them while the broccoli is roasting.1 cup croutons, Ā½ cup caesar salad dressing
- Let the broccoli cool for several minutes and then transfer it to a salad bowl. Add the crispy prosciutto, croutons, and parmesan cheese. Pour the dressing over the top and toss to coat. Serve right away with extra parmesan cheese and lemon wedges.Ā¼ cup shaved parmesan, Lemon slices
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our salad recipes!