Caesar Pasta Salad

Name: Caesar Pasta Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 8 oz short pasta (penne or rotini); 2 Romaine lettuce hearts (chopped (10oz bag or about 5 cups)); ½ cup shaved parmesan cheese; Croutons; ½ cup mayonnaise; ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese; 1 garlic clove; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard; ½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt; 1 ½ teaspoons anchovy paste

We all love a Caesar salad, it’s full of bright, tangy flavors, lots of cheese, and of course, the crunchy romaine lettuce. We were recently inspired to mash up this classic recipe with pasta salad to turn it into a great shareable side dish or main course, Caesar pasta salad. We’ve served it at several picnics and barbecues since developing the recipe, and it’s become a hit among our family and friends.

With just 20 minutes of prep time, anyone can have this dish on the table quickly. You can also pair it with most proteins for an easy weeknight meal. If you need to make it in advance, we also have all the tips to do that successfully too. When it comes to pasta salad, we are big fans, our jalapeno popper pasta salad and Caprese pasta salad are two other recipes we hope you try!

Why you’ll love this recipe

10 ingredient side dish recipe. With just a handful of ingredients that are easy to find at the store, this Caesar pasta salad will be prepped in no time.
Add a protein if desired. We love to add some chopped up grilled chicken or if we are in a time crunch, rotisserie chicken works well too.
A twist on a classic salad recipe. Whether it’s at home or in a restaurant, Caesar salad is one of our favorite dishes. By combining it with a pasta salad recipe, we can make it in advance and it also holds a little bit better in the fridge for a few days, making leftovers a breeze.

Tips for Busy Cooks

We make a homemade Caesar dressing for this recipe since it’s quick and easy to make. If you are in a rush to get dinner on the table, you can use your favorite store-bought dressing as well.

Key Ingredient Notes

For the salad:

Short pasta – We suggest using penne or rotini. The ridges in the penne and twirls in the rotini coat nicely in the dressing for maximum flavor.
Romaine lettuce hearts – You can either buy the 10 ounce chopped romaine bag or chop it yourself using hearts of romaine to equal about 5 cups.
Shaved parmesan cheese – Adds that great cheesy flavor we all love. Buy it pre-shaved to save time, or shave it from a block of parmesan at home using a vegetable peeler.
Croutons – Can’t forget these for lots of crunch!

For the dressing:

Mayonnaise – The creamy base of the dressing, Greek yogurt also works well too.
Freshly grated parmesan cheese – Adds another hint of cheesy flavor in every bite.
Garlic clove – Infuses each bite with garlic flavor.
Fresh lemon juice – Adds brightness to the dressing.
Dijon mustard – Helps to emulsify the dressing and also adds a little bit of a tang.
Anchovy paste – This can be an optional ingredient if desired, but it’s a key flavor to a classic Caesar dressing.

Ingredients for Caesar pasta salad which include anchovy, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, croutons, lemon juice, romaine, and pasta.

How to make Caesar pasta salad

Step 1: Cook the pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain and let it cool. Transfer into a large bowl.

Chopped romaine on a white cutting board.

Step 2: Chop the lettuce into bite-size pieces.

Caesar dressing ingredients in a blender cup with an immersion blender mixing the ingredients.

Step 3: Mix all the dressing ingredients until combined. You can also use an immersion blender, food processor, or a regular blender to make this process easier.

The Caesar pasta ingredients in a large glass bowl with Caesar dressing on top.

Step 4: In a large bowl, add lettuce and cooled pasta. Pour half of the dressing over the salad.

Caesar pasta salad mixed in a large glass bowl.

Step 4: Using two spoons, toss to combine.

The mixed Caesar pasta salad with shaved parm and croutons added.

Step 6: Top with croutons and shaved parmesan right before serving. Serve with the remaining dressing on the side.

Expert Tips:

When cooking pasta for pasta salad, make sure you let it cool or rinse under cold water before mixing. This will ensure that the dressing adheres properly and also won’t wilt the romaine lettuce.
Adds protein to make it a heartier meal. The best part about this pasta salad recipe is that it can be served as a main course or side dish. We love to add grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, steak, and even salmon as protein options.
Grate the parmesan cheese on a box grater rather than buying pre-grated. If you have the time, this is so worth it. The pre-grated cheese often has additives in it which prevent it from blending into the dressing nicely. We usually try and grate a lot of cheese at home and store in a container for one to two weeks to use in all different recipes.
Make the Caesar dressing for weekly meal prep. We love this dressing so much, we often make it on the weekend to use throughout the week on all different salads, sandwiches, wraps, etc!
Use an immersion blender, food processor, or regular blender to make the dressing quickly. This is a tip we love to use and makes the homemade dressing even faster to assemble.

Storage and Make Ahead

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You will want to give it a fresh toss prior to serving and let it sit on the counter for 10 to 15 minutes to take the chill off.

This salad will not freeze well. But if you want to make it in advance, it’s a great recipe to prep for that! Boil the noodles, prep the dressing, and chop the romaine. Store all the components in separate containers in the fridge and toss it all to together right before serving.

Close up image of finished Caesar pasta salad.

FAQs

How do I prevent my pasta salad from being mushy?

You can cook the pasta 1 to 2 minutes less than the package instructions to make sure it’s very al dente before draining. The other option is to run the pasta immediately under cold water to stop the cooking and keep the noodles fresh.

Does Caesar dressing go well with pasta?

With this pasta salad, yes it’s the perfect sauce for everything. It adds a nice bright and tangy flavor to every bite.

Is Caesar pasta salad healthy?

Yes, it has a nutritious source of vegetables, cheese, and protein, plus carbs from the pasta to make it a balanced meal.

Why is my pasta salad watery?

You didn’t shake enough water off of the noodles before coating them in the dressing. Any excess water from boiling will make the pasta salad liquidy.