When I get in a pasta salad rut, one of my favorite ways to break out of it is to make pasta salad modeled after one of my favorite green salads. Cobb Pasta Salad and Greek Pasta Salad are two favorites. I’m almost always pleased with the outcome, probably because there are so few ingredients or flavors that I don’t like with pasta. Pasta is like a blank canvas you can use to let your creativity run free.
This Caesar Pasta Salad is modeled after my Caesar Coleslaw and it is a delicious and satisfying pasta salad. During the summer months, I love the nice crispy crunch of the romaine lettuce in a Caesar salad. There’s something so refreshing about it. I add enough romaine to this dish so you know it’s there, but not so much that it overtakes the pasta.
I make a creamy Caesar dressing from mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic, and a few minced anchovies. You can leave the anchovies out if you really object to them. I add a big handful of grape tomatoes and they, along with the romaine lettuce and a sprinkling of chopped green onions, make the salad fresh and bright. A few croutons on top give some crunch and add a finishing Caesar salad touch.
Toss in a few diced grilled chicken breasts and you have yourself not just a crowd-pleasing side dish, but a dish that works as a light summer meal.
See how easy this recipe is to make. Watch the short video below.
Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 clove large garlic pressed
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 anchovies finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 pound penne pasta cooked until al dente and rinsed with cool water
- 6 leaves large Romaine lettuce thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes
- 4 green onions. green parts sliced
- 1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 grilled chicken breasts diced
- 1 1/2 cups croutons
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise through the Worcestershire sauce.
- Toss half of the dressing with the pasta and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Mix in remaining ingredients including the remaining dressing and serve.
Notes
Be sure to salt your cooking water for the pasta well, at least 1 tablespoon of salt.
Anchovies can be omitted. You might want to double the Worcestershire sauce if you do.
Nutrition
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This looks wonderful and so yummy! If I were to use a bag of precut romaine lettuce from the store, how much would I use for this recipe?
Than you so much Joan! I would add about 1/3 to 1/2 the bag. Maybe mix in 1/3 and then if it looks to you like it needs more lettuce, add in another handfull.
Thanks so much for sharing this lovely dish with us at Weekend Potluck. It received “Most Clicks” at last week’s party! Congrats!
That’s so exciting! It’s definitely one of my favorite recipes!
Hi Christin! Everything in this pasta salad looks amazing! I’ll be trying soon. Have pinned and will be sharing on my blogs FB page later today. All the best! Erin @DelightfulEMade
Lovely recipe and beautiful pictures. This truly is a fantastic recipe.
Thank you Kathy đ
I love this idea. Everyone loves a good Caesar salad but this is definitely a better way to feed a crowd.Your photos are beautiful, as well!
Caesar salad is one of my favorite salads ever and transforming it into a pasta salad has me drooling!!!!! This beauty is calling my name and I need to make and devour this STAT! <3
Mmm.. these are delicious.. love the Caesar idea for pasta.
This is such a great twist on caesar salad! It looks amazing and I can see what a big hit this would be at our house and a summer potluck.
You just solved my dinner problem for tonight. My leftover chicken is now going into this dish. Thanks, Christin!
Glad to help đ
Have a great night Jessica!
Cesar dressing…men, that’s good. With all that beautiful pasta…
ela h.
Caesar salad is my all time favorite and I love that you made a pasta salad version. This is the perfect summer meal and a great way to use leftover chicken. Awesome post, Christin!
What an awesome spin on pasta salad! We love caesar salads so I know this would go over well at our house!
What a great recipe makeover! Such a smart way to mix things up. Who doesn’t love caesar salad, so a caesar pasta salad must taste just amazing. I really want to try your caesar dressing recipe, I’ve been making mine with greek yogurt, but it has a bit more “tang” than I would like.
Beautiful pictures as always!
As per usual, this is seriously so genius!!
This salad looks amazing, Christin! Caesar salads are my favorite, so I love that you put a new twist on this pasta salad!
Oh my, this looks amazing. I love how you’ve added the lettuce in with pasta – a huge fave of mine! I’m thinking Caesar Pasta Salad for dinner tonight, YUM đ
Such a gorgeous combination of Ceasar and pasta salads – your one is so colorful!
Oh my gosh, this is like the best twist on caesar salad EVER. You really are the queen of all things salad, Christin! I can’t wait to try this salad for our next cook-out! Beautiful photos as always and pinned! đ
I am embarrassed to admit that I have tried making only one pasta salad đ this Caesar pasta salad actually looks really good and worth trying đ
This is definitely a cute and different way to approach pasta salad! Looks like a great addition to a picnic.