This healthy Kale Caesar Salad gets a fall twist with the addition of roasted delicata squash! It’s easy to make and delicious!
Caesar salad is my husband’s favorite salad and I definitely share in appreciating its creamy, cheesy deliciousness. As delicious as it is, Caesar salad also comes loaded with calories and so, when we make it at home, I am always looking for ways to make it healthier.
This Kale Caesar Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash is exactly what this is. Healthier and lightened up but still a satisfying Caesar, even if it isn’t made the traditional way.
Swapping in kale for the romaine of a traditional Caesar salad adds all the benefits of this leafy green while still providing bed for that creamy dressing. I also opted to add Roasted Delicata Squash, making this a heartier salad that can even be made as a light lunch topped with some chicken breast.
This healthy kale salad is dressed in a lightened up Caesar dressing that is made using mostly Greek yogurt. I do add a little mayo into it as it provides a thick, creaminess that yogurt alone can’t achieve but the yogurt does replace most of the mayo in a traditional dressing.
Ingredients in Kale Caesar Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash
- Greek Yogurt: this makes up the bulk of the healthier Caesar dressing, replacing most of the mayo in a traditional dressing.
- Mayonnaise: A little mayo adds to the creaminess of the dressing without needing to use a lot.
- Lemon juice: Used both in the dressing as well as to massage into the kale leaves to make them tender.
- Garlic: Used in the dressing.
- Parmesan cheese: good quality, freshly grated Parmesan.
- Dijon mustard and Worcestershire Sauce: flavor for the dressing.
- Seasoning: salt and black pepper to taste.
- Kale: about 4 cups.
- Delicata Squash: I use my Roasted delicata squash recipe to prepare this. If you wish, you can use another variety of squash as well.
**Note: Ingredient quantities and full instructions are in the recipe card at the end of this post.**
How to make Kale Caesar Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash
- Prepare the dressing. Make the dressing by whisking all ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.
- Massage the kale. Place kale in a bowl and add lemon juice. Gently massage the lemon juice into the kale for a few minutes to soften the leaves.
- Chop the kale. Chop the kale and add to a bowl.
- Dress the salad. Drizzle with salad dressing and toss to combine.
- Add toppings. Top the salad with the delicata squash and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese. Serve.
I hope you enjoy this delicious salad as much as we do in our home! It makes a great side salad but can also be turned into a meal by adding your protein of choice. I love it with grilled chicken breast!
-Cathy
Looking for more delicious, hearty salads? You may also like:
Healthy Caesar Salad with Roasted Chickpea Croutons
Roasted Butternut Squash, Pomegranate and Arugula Salad
Cobb Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Shrimp and Avocado Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing
Swiss Chard Salad with Ancient Grains
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Kale Caesar Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash
Ingredients
For the Healthy Caesar Dressing:
- 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic minced (optional)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Salad:
- 4 cups kale
- 1 delicata squash sliced and roasted. I use my Roasted Delicata Squash Fries recipe. Alternatively, you can use another variety of roasted squash.
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- parmesan cheese (as much as desired)
Instructions
- Make the dressing by whisking all ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.
- Place kale in a bowl and add lemon juice. Gently massage the lemon juice into the kale for a few minutes to soften the leaves.
- Chop the kale and add to a bowl.
- Drizzle with salad dressing and toss to combine.
- Top the salad with the delicata squash and sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese. Serve.
Note: Metric ingredient measurements are provided as a courtesy using a third-party calculator and are rounded to the nearest unit. The recipes provided on this site have not been tested with metric measurements and their accuracy cannot be verified.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is based on third-party calculations and is an estimate only. Accurate nutritional facts will vary based on the particular brands used, portion sizes, measurement accuracy and more.
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