Caesar Pasta Salad
A delicious twist on the classic Caesar salad with pasta, crisp romaine lettuce, creamy Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese, and crunchy croutons. Perfect as a side dish or a main meal!
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Pot for Boiling Pasta
- Colander
- Whisk
Ingredients
Pasta Salad Base
- 8 oz rotini or penne pasta cooked and cooled
- 2 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 cup croutons
- 1 cup cooked chicken or shrimp optional
Caesar Dressing
- 3/4 cup Caesar dressing homemade or store-bought
- 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Boil water in a large pot and add a pinch of salt.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and cooked chicken or shrimp (if using).
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Caesar dressing, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
- Sprinkle croutons on top just before serving for extra crunch.
- Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes before serving for enhanced flavor.
Notes
For a healthier version, use whole wheat pasta, Greek yogurt-based dressing, and swap croutons for roasted chickpeas. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.