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Autumn Caesar Salad with Delicata Squash Croutons

Autumn Caesar salad with delicata squash croutons: oven-roasted 425°F squash turns into golden, crisp edges while romaine and kale get a creamy Caesar coating. This easy method delivers crunchy pepitas, shaved Parmesan, and bright lemon wedges 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: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Delicata 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
  1. Preheat oven to 425F. Toss the delicata squash with olive oil, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and salt until evenly coated.
  2. Roast the squash 22-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp at the edges. Spread in a single layer so the edges brown.
Build the salad
  1. Massage the lacinato kale with 1 tablespoon of Caesar dressing for 1 minute to soften. The leaves should look slightly darker and more tender.
  2. Toss the romaine and kale with the remaining Caesar dressing until coated. Add more dressing only if needed to evenly cling to the greens.
Finish and serve
  1. Top the salad with the roasted squash croutons, shaved Parmesan, and roasted pepitas. Distribute toppings so every serving gets crunchy bites.
  2. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side. Squeeze lemon over the salad to brighten the flavors.

Notes

For best crunch, roast the squash and assemble the salad right away; the croutons stay crisp when added last. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 2 days, but expect softened squash and wilted greens—keep lemon wedges separate. Freezing is not recommended. For a lower-fat option, use a light Caesar dressing and reduce Parmesan slightly without changing the roast or toss steps.