October 27, 2023
Review RecipeCaesar Pasta Salad
Our Caesar pasta salad is a fresh twist on a classic recipe and features all your favorite flavors in an entirely new way.
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This creamy Caesar pasta salad is a refreshing and delicious spin on a traditional Caesar salad. With all your favorite parts of the classic salad, this recipe is hearty enough for a main dish but perfect on the side too.
Caesar Pasta Salad With Chicken Ingredients
Caesar pasta salad is a mouth-watering dish that will leave you wanting more after each bite.
The perfect blend of tangy dressing, savory Parmesan cheese, juicy chicken, and crunchy croutons creates a symphony of flavors that explode in your mouth with every forkful.
You’ll need:
- 6 cups of cooked bowtie pasta (1-pound package)
- 2 cups of romaine lettuce, chopped (about 1 small head)
- 2 cups of chopped rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup of shaved parmesan cheese
- 5-ounce package of classic Caesar croutons (about 2 cups)
- ½ cup of crumbled bacon
- 12-ounce jar of Caesar salad dressing
- Freshly cracked pepper and sea salt (optional)
- Lemon wedges (for garnish)
PRO TIP:
Each of the flavors is prominent, so be sure to use your favorite Caesar dressing, croutons, cooked chicken, and nice fresh parmesan and bacon.
One 12-ounce jar of salad dressing coats the salad adequately. If you like a heavily dressed salad, be sure to grab an extra jar of dressing that you can add or serve on the side.
Substitutions And Additions
BACON: You can use packaged bacon crumbles or freshly cooked bacon crumbles in this simple recipe.
PASTA: Any short pasta noodles would work fine in this delicious dish. Penne pasta, fusilli pasta, or rotini pasta are all great alternatives to bowtie pasta.
CHICKEN: Leftover cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts would also work instead of rotisserie chicken if you have any on hand.
DRESSING: You can make your own Caesar salad dressing if you prefer.
We do find the beauty of this recipe is how easy it is to assemble with the store-bought Caesar dressing.
How To Make This Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
Once the pasta is cooked, making this pasta salad is as simple as combining the ingredients in a salad bowl before serving.
STEP ONE: Cook the bowtie pasta in a large pot of salted water to al dente according to the package instructions.
Drain and run cold water over the pasta until it is cooled.
Our Recipe Developer Says
To test for al dente, take a bite of the pasta, and if your teeth feel some resistance, but the pasta is still tender, your pasta is al dente.
STEP TWO: In a large salad bowl, toss together the cooled pasta, romaine, chicken, parmesan cheese, croutons, bacon, and salad dressing.
STEP THREE: Top with freshly cracked black pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve immediately.
How To Serve
This creamy pasta salad is a great option to take to a potluck or even just for an easy dinner one night.
Since it has protein, it works as a side dish or even a delicious meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Add garlic bread on the side if you would like a little something extra.
For a refreshing drink on the side, an ice-cold glass of iced tea or raspberry lemonade would fit the bill perfectly.
Pasta salad recipes are great options to take to a potluck or barbecue. Our dill pickle pasta salad and egg pasta salad are two more solid choices.
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Storage
Let’s talk about the best ways to store and make this delicious dish ahead.
MAKE AHEAD: Follow the recipe instructions up to the point of adding the dressing.
Instead of dressing the salad immediately, store the cooked pasta and prepared ingredients separately. Keep the dressing in a separate airtight container.
When you’re ready to serve, toss the salad with the dressing, and it’s good to go. This can be done up to 24 hours in advance, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
IN THE FRIDGE: This Caesar salad pasta salad is best eaten immediately after tossing together.
All of the parts can be cooked and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to two days in advance. Combine just before serving.
Leftover chicken pasta salad can be stored in the refrigerator, but the lettuce and croutons will wilt and become soggy by the next day.
IN THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend freezing this chicken Caesar bowtie pasta salad as lettuce does not freeze well at all, and the entire salad will become soggy.
Why We Love This Recipe
CLASSIC CAESAR FLAVOR: This pasta salad captures the beloved flavors of a Caesar salad, including the creamy dressing, savory Parmesan cheese, and garlicky croutons.
EASY PREP: With simple and readily available ingredients, this recipe is easy to prepare, making it a great choice for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
MAKE-AHEAD FRIENDLY: You can prepare this salad in advance, and it even tastes better after chilling in the fridge for a while.
This chicken Caesar pasta salad recipe has all of the flavors we love in a traditional Caesar salad, but is more filling with the pasta added. Crispy croutons, fresh romaine, and salty bacon complement the pasta noodles, and the Caesar dressing provides plenty of tangy flavors.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use homemade dressing and homemade croutons?
For this easy pasta salad, homemade Caesar dressing and homemade croutons are both great choices.
How do I store this Caesar noodle salad?
This simple pasta salad is best stored with the components separated if you plan to make it in advance. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge, but the croutons and lettuce will become soggy fairly quickly.
What types of pasta are best for this Caesar chicken salad recipe?
This delicious recipe works best with any short, bite-size pasta such as rotini, penne, or fusilli.
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Caesar Pasta Salad
Our Caesar pasta salad is a fresh twist on a classic recipe and features all your favorite flavors in an entirely new way.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 10 cups
Ingredients
- 6 cups cooked bowtie pasta, 1-pound package
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped (about 1 small head)
- 2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup shaved parmesan cheese
- 5 ounces classic caesar croutons, about 2 cups
- ½ cup crumbled bacon
- 12 ounces Caesar salad dressing
- freshly cracked pepper and sea salt, optional
- lemon wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the bowtie pasta in a pot of salted water. Drain and run cold water over the pasta until it is cooled.
- In a large salad bowl, toss together the cooled pasta, romaine, chicken, parmesan cheese, croutons, bacon, and salad dressing.
- Top with freshly cracked black pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve immediately.
Notes
- To test for al dente, take a bite of the pasta, and if your teeth feel some resistance, but the pasta is still tender, your pasta is al dente.
- Each of the flavors is prominent, so be sure to use your favorite Caesar dressing, croutons, cooked chicken, and nice fresh parmesan and bacon.
- One 12-ounce jar of salad dressing coats the salad adequately. If you like a heavily dressed salad, be sure to grab an extra jar of dressing that you can add or serve on the side.
Nutrition
Calories: 488kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 1005mg | Potassium: 87mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 908IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 153mg | Iron: 2mg
Have You Tried This Recipe?Follow me on Pinterest @spaceshipslb
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Comments
Gloria says
This is so unique and yummy!
Heather says
I am obsessed and desperately want to make this!! I can no longer eat lettuce or any type of leafy green without severe stomach issues, would I be able to omit the lettuce or should I substitute something else like cucumbers or something? This sounds so amazing I miss Caesar salads so much and this sounds like it would help my craving!!
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Heather – we haven’t tried it without the lettuce… I would think cucumbers would be yummy! Enjoy!
Barbie says
I Love salads, but not sure about Caeser dressing. Can you suggest another kind. Of course it would no longer be a Caeser salad, but it will still be yummy.
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Barbie – you could use a ranch or parmesan dressing and those would probably be good as well. Enjoy!
Irene says
Made this but I put the romaine on the side. This allowed the romaine not to become soggy and enjoy the next day. Also when storing the chopped romaine I put it in a container on top of a good paper towel. It will absorb the moisture and keep it crisp.