Caesar Salad Dressing No Anchovies with Cottage Cheese
This Caesar salad dressing, made without anchovies, features high-protein cottage cheese for a creamy, rich flavor. Simple ingredients like parmesan, almond milk, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, dijon mustard, and garlic make this an easy, anchovy-free dressing that adds a fresh, homemade touch to your favorite salads.
Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese Caesar Dressing Recipe
- Anchovy-free: Enjoy the rich Caesar flavor without the fishy taste, perfect for those who prefer a milder dressing.
- Creamy and flavorful: Cottage cheese and parmesan create a smooth, luxurious texture that elevates any salad.
- Simple ingredients: Made with pantry staples like almond milk, olive oil, and garlic for easy prep.
- Quick and versatile: Perfect for busy weeknights or adding a homemade touch to any meal.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make my easy creamy caesar salad dressing:
Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Grated pecorino romano, asiago parmigiano reggiano cheese, or any grated cheese can be used as an alternative to shredded Parmesan.
Cottage Cheese: You can substitute with Greek yogurt, cream cheese, or mayonnaise as creamy alternatives.
Light Olive Oil: Avocado oil or grapeseed oil can be used as alternatives.
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the best lemon flavor. But you can also storebought lemon juice but juice from fresh lemons tastes best!
Dijon Mustard: You can omit or use yellow mustard or mustard powder instead.
Worcestershire Sauce: If needed, use a gluten-free brand. If you have a fish allergy, use a brand that does not contain anchovies. You can also replace this with liquid aminos.
Garlic Powder: Fresh garlic cloves can be used instead of garlic powder.
Milk: You can use any milk, including almond milk, regular dairy milk, soy milk, or coconut milk.
Salt and Black Pepper: You can omit these or use any variety you like.
How to Make My Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing without Anchovies Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for making my cottage cheese caesar dressing. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Make the Salad Dressing
In a blender, food processor, or the chopper cup with an immersion blender, combine parmesan cheese, cottage cheese, almond milk, light olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Blend until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if needed.
Helpful Recipe Notes
Dressing Consistency: Add more milk for a thinner dressing
Additional Seasoning: Taste the dressing and adjust the salt and seasonings as needed. You can also add fresh lemon zest or an additional tablespoon of lemon juice to increase the lemon flavor.
Dressing Storage: This recipe makes about 1-1/2 cups of lemon caesar dressing. One serving is 1-2 tablespoons, so you will have plenty of dressing to store in the fridge. You can cut the recipe in half if you prefer less leftover.
Delicious Caesar Serving Suggestions
Classic Caesar Salad: Toss crisp romaine lettuce with your homemade caesar dressing, sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese, and top with homemade croutons. This classic Caesar Cardini-inspired salad is packed with umami flavor, making it a perfect side or main dish.
Chicken Caesar Salad: Grill or pan-sear a chicken breast, slice it, and lay it over a bed of crisp romaine lettuce dressed in your homemade caesar dressing. Add homemade croutons and a generous sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese for a complete meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
Vegan Caesar Salad: For a plant-based option, use crispy breaded tofu in place of chicken. Toss crisp romaine lettuce with your vegan caesar dressing (enhanced with white miso paste for that umami flavor), and finish with homemade croutons and vegan parmesan cheese for a delicious, cruelty-free twist.
Caesar Pasta Salad: Use your homemade caesar dressing as a pasta salad dressing for a refreshing change. Mix cooked pasta with chopped crisp romaine lettuce, fresh parmesan cheese, and homemade croutons. Add grilled chicken breast or crispy breaded tofu to make it a complete meal.
Umami Powerhouse: Enhance the umami flavor of your salad by adding a touch of white miso paste to your caesar dressing. This will bring out deeper flavors and make your caesar salad even more irresistible.
Each serving suggestion transforms your homemade caesar salad dressing into a versatile ingredient that elevates any meal, making it easy to enjoy the classic caesar taste without anchovies.
Do you love lemon? Check out more of my easy and nutritious lemon dinner or lunch recipes:
Caesar Salad Dressing No Anchovies with Cottage Cheese
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup cottage cheese (blended)
- 1/4 cup light olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce (gluten-free)
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/3 cup milk (almond milk)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- dash pepper
Instructions
- In a blender, food processor, or the chopper cup with an immersion blender, combine parmesan cheese, cottage cheese, almond milk, light olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.Blend until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if needed.
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I love it. The fact that it has ingredients that I already have and I can throw everything in the blender. The taste is so delicious. Thanks Nicole
Hi Karen, thank you so much for the review! I’m so glad you love this recipe, too 🙂
This recipe is so good… I have made it several times. I must admit that I am now substituting parmesan for asiago and for me the taste is way better. I am also using avocado oil instead of olive oil, and I am using half and half instead of almond milk. This is one rich and tasty dressing. I can never go back to store bought. I am so thankful for this recipe.
Hi Joe, thank you for the review! I love your substitutions…thank you for sharing 🙂
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
That’s awesome, Caleb! Thank you 🙂
This a great caesar recipe without tasting like fish!! Love it!!! The cottage cheese is a yummy and healthy base.
Thank you for the review, Loraine! 🙂
I’m so excited to share this recipe with you!! It is easy to make and has all the classic caesar flavor 🙂