1-First Step: Marinate the shrimp Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a bowl and toss them with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning until every piece is coated. Cover the bowl and chill the shrimp for at least 30 minutes. This short rest gives the seasoning time to sink in and helps the shrimp taste bold all the way through.

2-Second Step: Make the croutons While the shrimp chills, add the stale crusty bread cubes to a bowl. Toss them with 1 tablespoon olive oil, kosher salt, coarse black pepper, granulated garlic, granulated onion, and Italian seasoning. Spread the cubes on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the croutons are golden brown and crisp around the edges. Stale bread works best here because it dries out beautifully in the oven. If your bread is only slightly dry, that is still fine. You just want cubes that can get crunchy without turning hard.

3-Third Step: Blend the Caesar dressing Add the pasteurized egg yolk, smashed garlic clove, fresh lemon juice, anchovy fillets, kosher salt, coarse ground black pepper, finely grated Parmesan cheese, and Worcestershire sauce to a food processor. Blend while slowly streaming in 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil until the dressing becomes smooth and creamy. If you want a softer, richer dressing, stir in the optional 2 tablespoons mayonnaise at the end.

4-Fourth Step: Cook the shrimp Heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until the shrimp turn pink, curl slightly, and get a caramelized finish on the outside. Be careful not to overcook them, because shrimp can go from tender to rubbery very quickly.

5-Final Step: Build and serve the wraps Separate the romaine lettuce leaves and pat them dry if needed. Spoon a few shrimp into each leaf, then add croutons, shredded Parmesan, and a generous drizzle of dressing. Serve immediately so the lettuce stays crisp and the croutons keep their crunch. The mix of cool lettuce, warm shrimp, and creamy dressing is what makes these Shrimp Caesar Salad Lettuce Wraps so good.