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Autumn Caesar Salad with Delicata Squash Croutons

Autumn Caesar Salad with delicata squash croutons pairs crisp romaine and kale with creamy Caesar dressing and golden roasted squash rings. Roasted at 425°F until crisped at the edges, the squash adds crunchy, autumn-ready texture to 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: 360
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Delicata squash croutons
  • 1 delicata squash Halved, seeded, and sliced into 1/2-inch half-moons
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp salt
Salad
  • 1 large romaine 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
  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Toss the squash with olive oil, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and salt.
  2. Roast for 22-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp at the edges. Transfer to a plate to cool slightly.
Massage and assemble
  1. Massage the lacinato kale with 1 tablespoon of Caesar dressing for 1 minute to soften. Keep massaging until the leaves look darker and more flexible.
  2. Toss the romaine and kale with the remaining Caesar dressing until evenly coated. Make sure the greens are glossy rather than dry.
Finish and serve
  1. Top the salad with the roasted squash croutons, shaved Parmesan, and roasted pepitas. Distribute toppings so each serving gets crunchy squash and cheese.
  2. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side. Squeeze lemon over the salad just before eating for brightness.

Notes

For the crispest squash, spread the half-moons in a single layer on the sheet pan and avoid crowding. Store leftovers covered in the fridge up to 3 days, but keep squash and pepitas separate if possible so they stay crunchy. Freezing is not recommended for best texture. For a dairy-free option, use a dairy-free Caesar dressing and substitute nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan-style shreds.