Warm Broccoli Caesar Salad with Beef Bacon and Parmesan
This warm broccoli Caesar salad combines hearty roasted broccoli, crispy beef bacon, and homemade Caesar dressing for a satisfying meal. Enjoy a healthy salad that doubles as a side dish!
Ingredients
- 8 cups bite-sized fresh broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1 ¼ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese, divided
- 3 hard-cooked eggs, peeled
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 clove garlic, peeled
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 4 slices beef bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/3 cup panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Spread the broccoli florets out evenly on the baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of canola oil, sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and toss to coat. Roast for 18-20 minutes, stirring halfway, until the edges are golden brown.
- Meanwhile, prepare the Caesar dressing. Combine 1/2 cup canola oil, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, hard-cooked eggs, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, Dijon mustard, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 3/4 teaspoon black pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the beef bacon pieces until crispy, about 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Add the panko breadcrumbs to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until golden and toasted, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Transfer the roasted broccoli to a large serving bowl. Top with the toasted panko, crispy bacon, and the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with the amount of Caesar dressing you prefer and toss to combine. Serve immediately and enjoy!