This quick and easy creamy caesar dressing is bold, tangy, and is perfect on my Pasta Caesar Salad. The mayo base makes it super easy and this recipe contains no raw eggs and can be made with no anchovy.
While many folks think of the caesar salad as the perfect complement to their favorite Italian meal, the caesar salad was actually created on the completely opposite side of the planet from Italy. And it has absolutely nothing to do with Julius Caesar – despite what you’ve seen on the labels of those bottled dressings in the grocery store.
This tangy, garlicky, romaine-based salad actually got its start in Tijuana, Mexico of all places and at the hands of a man named Caesar Cardini. At least that’s what they say. (Whoever “they” are.)
Now, Cardini was an Italian immigrant so there is that connection to Italy, but still.
According to Cardini’s daughter, the story goes something like this…
Cardini had a restaurant in Tijuana that was frequented by Americans due to the restrictions of prohibition. Folks could simply cross the border and enjoy a cocktail with dinner. In 1924, an unexpectedly busy July 4th rush depleted the restaurant’s supplies and Cardini created the dish using just whatever he had left. It was an immediate hit.
His dressing recipe contained only egg, lemon juice, garlic, parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, dijon mustard, and black pepper – no anchovies. It was prepared table-side with the romaine lettuce and croutons.
Now this is the generally held belief about the salad’s origin. There are some that say Caesar’s brother, Alex, created the dish. Others say Alex expounded on the dish and added the anchovies. Some even claim that it was one of Caesar’s employees who first shared the dish as one of his mother’s recipes.
Now, I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of fishy flavors. So often times, I make this without the anchovy paste. Worcestershire sauce is made with anchovies, so for me, that is generally enough anchovy flavor. And Cardini’s daughter said he was of the same mind. All that being said, most modern caesar dressings do include anchovies, so I included anchovy paste in my version – though in a very small amount. You can add the exact amount, add more, or leave it out completely. It’s totally up to you.
Regardless, my recipe does swap the egg and some of the olive oil for mayo. Mayo is an emulsion of oil, eggs, and vinegar anyway, so it seems like a relatively obvious way to make the recipe a little easier, more approachable, and even, dare I say it, a bit more delicious. And while it’s not exactly authentic, it sure is tasty!
Try it on my Pasta Caesar Salad: 
Recipe Card
Easy Creamy Caesar Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste (or more)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or more)
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients in a medium bowl. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop. Keeps for about a week. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Liesl C
Ok, I finally tried it! Wow – Yumm!
I usually stick to a very traditional recipe for this dressing but I decided I wanted to try it with mayo. Other than grating my garlic rather than mincing it (I like full-frontal garlic flavor) and adding another teaspoon of lemon juice, I followed the recipe exactly. It turned out beautifully. You have another fan! Thank you for sharing this. No more whisking oil all over the place for me!!! I now consider myself a convert.
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it! Grating the garlic and adding extra lemon juice sounds like a delicious twist. It’s great to know you found a mess-free method you love. Welcome to the club!
Julie
Excellent! I cut the recipe in half and the only change I made was using pecorino instead of parmesan. I omitted the salt as the pecorino is quite salty. We really enjoyed our caesar salads! Thank you.
So glad to hear y’all enjoyed it, Julie!
Tracy
Deliciousness itself! A never fail hit! Thank you
Thanks, Tracy!!
Suzanne
How long will this last in the fridge?
I’ve made this 20 times and is delicious. Only thing I add is a touch of honey.
This should last in the fridge for 5 to 7 days. Glad to hear you’ve enjoyed it!
Alexis
Fantastic recipe, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!!
Kaleigh Donovan
easy. delicious. amazing.
Sweet! So glad to hear it turned out great for you!
Jon
This is the best Caesar dressing ever! So easy to make, So tasty and good for dipping too. Thanks!!
Thank you, Jon! We sure love it!
Brandee Cate
My go to caesar dressing now!!
Awesome! So glad to hear you enjoyed it!!
Sharon
I make the original recipe of Caesar salad with 2 egg yolks BUT this is a excellent creamy Caesar dressing!! I have made several times and everyone loves it. Thanks for the great creamy version of Caesar salad.
Thanks, Sharon!
Jasmine Sanders
Omg this recipe is AMAZING!! I love Caesar salad, but can never find a bottle that actually tastes authentic…. Not anymore- I’ll just make my own! Thanks so much Stacey!!
Thanks, Jasmine! So glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Sharon
This creamy Caesar dressing is excellent just as written! I usually do the standard Caesar dressing with the egg yolks but this creamy version is a delicious change. Thank you!
So glad to hear you loved the flavor!
Michelle R.
So easy to make and so delicious. The recipe is yummy just as written, but I added a little more (maybe 1/8 tsp) anchovy paste, a little extra squeeze of lemon juice, and a splash more of worchestshire sauce to achieve the tangy flavor I enjoyed so much. The recipe made about 2 cups.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Camille
Wow! Wonderful flavor!
Thanks, Camille!
Janet Morris
This dressing is divine! I used crushed capers instead of anchovies for an umami flavor profile. So tangy and rich!
Oh, that sounds amazing!
Donna K.
I’ll never buy Caesar dressing again!!
Me either!
Britney
I love this dressing. I will be making my own dressing. So delicious 😋
Glad to hear it! Enjoy!
LPMc
Made it and it is PERFECTION
So glad you enjoyed it!
Aileen
I don’t know how I missed this, Stacey, but this looks fantastic and easy! I love caesar dressing and this looks perfect to me. 🙂
We LOVE it at our house! Hope you do too!
Lisa
Amazing!! I’ll be making instead of buying!
Awesome!
Barbara Miller
I’ll be making my own from now on, TY
Sure hope you love it!
Amanda
I dont like mayo. What can be replaced?
I suppose you could use sour cream or yogurt, but the flavor will be very different.