A caesar salad is a classic dish that combines crisp romaine lettuce with a creamy dressing, croutons, and parmesan cheese. It tangy, savory, and slightly salty. Psst… the secret ingredient in that moreish dressing is anchovies.
Can’t decide what to serve with your caesar salad? Look no further. This article reveals 21 delicious side dishes that will take your caesar salad to the next level.
The best dishes to serve with caesar salad are grilled chicken, turkey meatballs, lasagna, flank steak, and pizza. Try tempeh bacon, fried oyster mushrooms, or grilled portobellos for plant-based choices. For seafood options, try bang bang shrimp, crab cakes, or roasted salmon.
Eggplant parmesan
This dish features crispy fried eggplant slices smothered in cheese and marinara sauce – it’s absolutely delish and a great meat-free main.
With how indulgent it is, it’s an excellent dish to pair with a simple caesar salad.
Even if you aren’t fond of eggplants, this baked eggplant parmesan will change your mind.
Baked turkey meatballs
Beef up your caesar salad with a couple of these low-carb turkey meatballs.
These tasty morsels are packed with delicious flavors, thanks to the addition of herbs like parsley, rosemary, and thyme.
They also have a cheeky bit of cheese mixed in!
These turkey meatballs only need 15 minutes of prep time, making them perfect for hectic weeknights.
Stuffed pork tenderloin
Want a show-stopping dish that won’t break the bank?
This stuffed pork tenderloin is what you’re looking for.
This dish doesn’t only look good. It tastes phenomenal too.
The pork is moist and juicy with tons of savory, smokey flavors, courtesy of the bacon and mushroom filling.
Serve this stuffed pork tenderloin with a big bowl of caesar salad on the side for a complete, nourishing meal.
Parmesan chips
Want something light and crispy to go with your caesar salad?
Give these parmesan crisps a try.
They’re crunchy and salty and oh-so-elegant with the sprinkle of thyme on top.
These parmesan crisps with thyme and sea salt are a delightful addition to your salad.
Jumbo lump crab cakes
Craving some seafood?
Curb your cravings with some jumbo crab cakes.
This dish is chock-full of succulent crab meat, leaving little room for boring fillers.
And the jumbo in the name refers to the big lumps of crab you’ll find (not the size of the crab cakes!).
Make your caesar salad more exciting with a couple of these jumbo lump crab cakes on top.
Pan-seared lamb chops
Elevate your caesar salad by serving it alongside these seared lamb chops.
Lamb is one of those classy proteins that can make any dish feel restaurant-quality.
And a light caesar salad is just what you want next to a heavy, saucy meat main.
Want to give this a try?
What Should I Make For’s recipe will guide you in making perfectly cooked lamb chops.
Grilled portobello mushrooms
Make your caesar salad a complete meal by whipping up some grilled portobello mushrooms.
These meaty mushrooms are already loaded with umami flavors, but letting them soak in a honey balsamic marinade makes them even more flavorful.
I like to slice these up like steak and put them over my salad.
Head to The Recipe Critic for the full recipe.
French dip sandwich
This sandwich is filled with tender beef cooked in a flavorful stock for hours.
It’s hearty and full of flavor – but it’s missing one thing…
A serving of fresh caesar salad to cut through the richness of the beef. Yum!
If you have the time, make this French dip sandwich. You won’t regret it.
Tempeh bacon
Bacon is a common addition to a caesar salad, but if you can make it vegan with tempeh.
The protein-filled tempeh is soaked in a tamari-maple syrup marinade to infuse it with sweet, savory, and smoky flavors.
Even your non-vegan friends will enjoy this tempeh bacon.
Psst… if you don’t have liquid smoke, try increasing the amount of smoked paprika you use to compensate. Or check out my guide on the best liquid smoke substitutes.
Bang bang shrimp
Spice up your caesar salad with a serving of these bang bang shrimp.
This dish features crispy panko breaded shrimp drenched in a highly addictive creamy-but-spicy sauce.
It uses hot sauce, sweet chili sauce, and mayonnaise.
I wouldn’t blame you if you finished off a whole batch of these bang bang shrimp to yourself.
Lasagna
Lasagna is always guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
And its creamy, cheesy flavor profile is crying out for a fresh, crunchy side salad.
Enter: caesar salad!
Check out Foodtasia’s detailed recipe for making the best classic lasagna.
Lemon thyme roasted salmon
Jazz up your plain caesar salad with a serving of this roasted salmon on the side.
This is one of the simplest salmon dishes you’ll ever make.
Everything comes together in one baking dish and will only take 15 minutes to cook.
The result is a soft, flaky salmon packed with refreshing citrus flavors, courtesy of the lemons and thyme.
This easy roasted salmon is an excellent dish for those days you’re too busy to cook.
Greek grilled chicken breast
Grilled boneless chicken breasts are a classic protein to pair with caesar salad.
One of the best things about chicken is that you can flavor it however you want.
And this Mediterranean-inspired recipe will add some Greek flair to your caesar salad without being completely overwhelming.
Psst… I’m also partial to a peri peri chicken breast.
Sheet pan pizza
How do you make pizza healthy?
Serve it with a side of caesar salad (duh!).
And next time you have a pizza craving, ditch ordering take-out and make your own – it’s easier than you think.
When it comes to toppings you can stick to the classics,l or go crazy with baked beans and blue cheese.
The possibilities are endless with this sheet pan pizza.
Flank steak
Steak and caesar salad is a classic date-night meal.
Any steak would work, but I wanted to showcase flank steak.
It may be inexpensive, but once marinated and cooked to perfection – you won’t notice.
Follow Oh Sweet Basil’s lead and whip up a balsamic marinade that’ll infuse your steak with sweet, umami flavors.
Complete the meal with a glass of your favorite vino.
Leek and potato soup
Want a light but comforting meal?
Serve your caesar salad with a piping hot bowl of leek and potato soup.
Nicole’s version of leek and potato soup has all the standard ingredients, but she also adds a garnish of brown butter pine nuts to really elevate the meal.
Enjoy your creamy leek and potato soup and caesar salad for a cozy lunch.
Fried oyster mushrooms
These fried oyster mushrooms are a great meat-free addition to your caesar salad.
Also known as vegan fried chicken, they’re extra crispy on the outside, with a tender, meaty inside.
Everyone will be clamoring for second helpings of these fried oyster mushrooms.
Sweet potato wedges
There’s something undeniably comforting about a plate of crispy sweet potato wedges. These little slices of heaven are seasoned and roasted to perfection, offering a sweet and savory contrast that’s hard to resist.
And they’re packed with vitamins and fiber, making them a wholesome choice.
The only downside is I can never get them as crispy as regular fries, no matter who hard I try. Cooking them in the air fryer gets them pretty close though.
Mushroom risotto
This creamy mushroom risotto is a bowl of earthy goodness.
Made with arborio rice, any mushrooms you like, and a good glug of white wine – it’s simple and indulgent. I recommend using a mixture of different mushrooms, with at least some shiitake in there for the best flavor.
The mushrooms lend a meaty texture and umami depth to the risotto, making it a hearty companion to the crisp freshness of your caesar salad.
Zucchini fritters
Zucchini fritters are the perfect way to sneak more veggies into your meal. They’re made with grated zucchini, herbs, and a touch of flour, then pan-fried until perfectly crispy. Cheese is never a bad addition either.
Pop two or three on top of your salad and drizzle them with any extra dressing you have. Delicious!
Psst… you can also bake the fritters if you don’t like frying things.
Chicken caesar salad wrap
Transform your caesar salad into a convenient, on-the-go meal with a chicken caesar salad wrap.
It’s the perfect solution if you want something slightly more substantial, but don’t want to lose any of the original flavors.
The wraps include croutons, but if you want even more crunch you can use breaded chicken instead of grilled chicken. Southern fried chicken is a tasty option.
What To Serve With Caesar Salad [21 Ideas]
Ingredients
- 1 portion caesar salad
Instructions
- Prepare your caesar salad according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: eggplant parmesan, baked turkey meatballs, stuffed pork tenderloin, parmesan chips, jumbo lump crab cakes, pan-seared lamb chops, grilled portobello mushrooms, french dip sandwich, tempeh bacon, bang bang shrimp, lasagna, lemon thyme roasted salmon, greek grilled chicken breast, sheet pan pizza, flank steak, leek and potato soup, and fried oyster mushrooms.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!