Description
This Caesar Pasta Salad is a perfect fusion of a classic Caesar salad and a hearty pasta dish. With tender pasta, crisp romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, and a creamy Caesar dressing, it’s a refreshing and satisfying meal for any occasion—whether it’s meal prep, a picnic, or a light dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 8 oz (250g) pasta (penne, farfalle, or rotini)
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 7 oz (200g) grilled chicken breast, diced (optional)
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup croutons
Caesar Dressing
- ½ cup (120ml) mayonnaise
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp anchovy paste (optional)
- ¼ cup (30g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta – Boil the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Prepare the Dressing – In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and black pepper until smooth.
- Chop the Lettuce & Chicken – Cut romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and dice the grilled chicken if using.
- Toss the Salad – In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, and croutons. Drizzle with the Caesar dressing and toss well.
- Garnish & Serve – Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top and serve immediately.
Notes
- Make it vegetarian – Skip the chicken and anchovy paste for a meat-free version.
- Shortcut option – Use store-bought Caesar dressing if short on time.
- Best pasta choice – Pasta shapes with ridges like rotini or penne hold the dressing best.
- Serving tip – Enjoy chilled or at room temperature for optimal flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Caesar pasta salad, creamy Caesar pasta, easy pasta salad, Caesar salad with pasta, summer pasta salad, cold pasta salad