Caesar Pasta Salad
Transform your favorite classic Caesar salad into a hearty, crowd-pleasing Caesar Pasta Salad—a perfect fusion of fresh, crisp Romaine lettuce and tender penne pasta tossed in a creamy Caesar dressing. This recipe is quick and easy, featuring bold flavors from sautéed garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and crunchy croutons, with the option to add diced chicken breast for extra protein. Ready in just 25 minutes, this versatile dish works beautifully as a light lunch, side dish, or picnic standout. Whether served immediately or chilled for a refreshing twist, this pasta salad is a guaranteed hit for any occasion.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Penne pasta
- 2 heads Romaine lettuce
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Croutons
- 1 cup Cooked chicken breast (optional, diced)
- 0.75 cup Caesar dressing
- 1 large Garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and let cool to room temperature.
While the pasta cools, chop the Romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large salad bowl.
In a small skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Mince the garlic clove and sauté for about 1 minute, just until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Once the pasta has cooled, add it to the salad bowl with the chopped Romaine lettuce.
Add the Parmesan cheese, croutons, and diced chicken breast (if using) to the bowl.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the Caesar dressing, the sautéed garlic, salt, and black pepper.
Pour the dressing over the pasta and lettuce mixture and gently toss to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes before serving for a refreshing cold pasta salad. Garnish with additional Parmesan and croutons if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
529 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 29.6 g | 38% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.4 g | 37% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 64 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 879 mg | 38% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 40.3 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.4 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.7 g | ||
| Protein | 27.8 g | 56% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 278 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 3.7 mg | 21% | |
| Potassium | 571 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
