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Autumn Caesar Salad with Delicata Squash Croutons

Autumn Caesar Salad with Delicata Squash Croutons featuring roasted 425°F delicata squash rings and a creamy Caesar toss with crisp romaine and massaged kale. Golden edges, shaved Parmesan, and pepitas add crunch in every bite.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 390
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Squash croutons
  • 1 delicata squash
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp salt
Salad
  • 1 romaine large head, chopped
  • 3 cup lacinato kale stemmed and chopped
  • 0.5 cup Caesar dressing
  • 0.5 cup shaved Parmesan
  • 0.25 cup roasted pepitas
  • 1 lemon cut into wedges

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Roast the delicata squash croutons
  1. Preheat oven to 425F. Toss delicata squash with olive oil, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and salt.
  2. Spread squash on a sheet pan in a single layer. Roast 22-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp at the edges.
Massage and assemble
  1. Massage kale with 1 tablespoon Caesar dressing for 1 minute to soften. It should look slightly wilted and darker green.
  2. Toss romaine and kale with the remaining Caesar dressing. Mix until evenly coated and glossy.
  3. Top salad with the roasted squash croutons, shaved Parmesan, and roasted pepitas. Finish so toppings are evenly distributed across the bowl.
  4. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side. Squeeze lemon just before eating to brighten the flavors.

Notes

For best crunch, roast the squash on a preheated sheet pan and serve promptly after assembly. Store leftover salad components separately: roasted squash keeps in the refrigerator up to 4 days; romaine and kale keep up to 2 days (dressed salad is best within 24 hours). Freezing isn’t recommended for the dressed salad or fresh greens. For a lighter option, use a reduced-fat Caesar dressing and swap half the Parmesan for nutritional yeast while keeping the same texture-focused steps.