This Caesar Pasta Salad is the perfect fusion of a traditional Caesar salad and pasta salad. With crisp romaine and pasta, all tossed in a zesty Caesar dressing, it’s fresh, hearty, and absolutely delicious!
Table of Contents
What is Caesar Pasta Salad?
Our Caesar pasta salad is where classic Caesar salad meets the comfort of hearty pasta, and the result is one seriously scrumptious salad! We take fresh romaine lettuce and toss it with our favorite pasta. But the magic in this salad really happens with the homemade dressing. It’s a zesty Caesar blend with garlic, anchovy paste, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and plenty of parmesan cheese.
Each bite of this satisfying salad is a delectable combination of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors. Trust us, once you try it, this Caesar pasta salad will be your new go-to for nearly any occasion!
Ingredients You Need
Caesar Dressing
- Small Garlic Cloves, Minced – Garlic adds a zesty kick to your dressing — make sure to mince the cloves finely and uniformly so they are evenly dispersed in the dressing.
- Anchovy Paste – Don’t let it scare you off! This secret ingredient gives your dressing that authentic Caesar taste, adding depth and umami flavor.
- Dijon Mustard – A touch of Dijon brings a delicious tangy sharpness to the dressing.
- Worcestershire Sauce – This sauce adds a complex, slightly tangy, and sweet flavor that rounds out the dressing beautifully.
- Fresh Lemon Juice – Citrus adds a bright flavor to the dressing.
- Red Wine Vinegar – Just a splash of this vinegar adds a subtle tartness.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – The silky, smooth base of your dressing, olive oil brings all the flavors together and gives the dressing its richness.
- Sea Salt – Essential for enhancing all the other flavors in your dressing, sea salt ensures every bite is perfectly seasoned.
- Black Pepper – Pepper adds just a tiny touch of heat for a more complex flavor profile.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese – This is where your dressing gets its signature Caesar creaminess and cheesy goodness.
Pasta Salad
- Romaine Lettuce, Chopped – Romaine is the crunchy, fresh base of the salad.
- Parmesan Cheese – A classic Caesar salad component, parmesan adds rich, nutty flavors and a satisfying texture.
- Croutons – These add a bit of crunchiness to the salad.
- Cooked Pasta (Rotini, Penne, Or Bowtie) – Pasta transforms this Caesar salad into a hearty, filling dish, making it perfect for lunch or dinner.
How to Make Caesar Pasta Salad
- Make the Dressing. Add the garlic, anchovy paste, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and red wine vinegar to a bowl and mix together. Continue to whisk while adding the extra virgin olive oil. Once an emulsion has formed, add the sea salt, black pepper, and grated parmesan and stir to combine.
- Put the Salad Together. In a large bowl combine the romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, croutons, and cooked pasta. Pour in the dressing and toss all of the ingredients together making sure that they are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve. Sprinkle more ground pepper over the top and serve immediately.
Variations
- Pasta – Use whole wheat pasta for a fiber-rich version or zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
- Dressing Additions – Blend in some ripe avocado to the dressing for a super creamy, rich texture, or add some tahini for a unique, nutty flavor.
- Veggies – Add some halved cherry tomatoes for a burst of color and sweetness or include roasted red pepper strips for a smoky, sweet addition. Or, replace some or all of the romaine with some chopped kale with the romaine for an extra nutrient boost.
- Toppings – Sprinkle some sunflower seeds on top for added crunch and nuttiness or add a handful of dried cranberries for a touch of sweetness and chewiness. For a savory addition, include marinated artichoke hearts for a tangy, Mediterranean flair.
- Cheese – Swap out Parmesan with crumbled feta for a tangier cheese flavor or for a bold twist, add some crumbled blue cheese.
Can I Store Leftovers?
Yes — in fact, you might find that the flavors come together even better after the salad has been refrigerated overnight!
Transfer the pasta salad to an airtight container and store for 5 days in the refrigerator.
We don’t recommend freezing the salad — the pasta and dressing aren’t likely to have the same texture and consistency after thawing them.
More Salad Recipes
Looking for more simple salads that are oh-so-satisfying? Check out these salads that we guarantee you’ll fall in love with!
Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Caesar Dressing:
- 2 small garlic cloves minced (1 tsp)
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper plus more to serve
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta Salad:
- 1 large romaine lettuce head or 2 small heads romaine, chopped
- 1/3 cup shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup croutons
- 1 pound cooked pasta e.g., rotini, penne, or bowtie
Instructions
Prepare the Dressing:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, anchovy paste, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and red wine vinegar until well combined.2 small garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon anchovy paste, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- Slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil while continuously whisking to create an emulsion.1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Add the sea salt, black pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until everything is well incorporated.1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or lemon juice if needed.
Assemble the Salad:
- Place the chopped romaine lettuce in a large salad bowl.1 large romaine lettuce head
- Add the shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese, croutons, and cooked pasta to the lettuce.1/3 cup shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese, 1 cup croutons, 1 pound cooked pasta
- Add the sliced grilled chicken to the salad.
- Pour the Caesar dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are well coated with the dressing.
- Serve immediately with extra black pepper, if desired.
Equipment
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is such a fun twist on classic pasta salads and SO easy to make!!