Caesar Pasta Salad
This Caesar pasta salad is a great side dish or main course that takes just 20 minutes to make! With a homemade dressing that coats the short noodles and romaine, it's a bite full of flavor that is guaranteed to be a crowd pleasing recipe.
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 8 oz short pasta penne or rotini
- 2 Romaine lettuce hearts chopped (10oz bag or about 5 cups)
- ½ cup shaved parmesan cheese
- Croutons
For the dressing:
- 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
Instructions
- Cook the pasta al dante according to package directions. Drain and let it cool. transfer into a large bowl.
- In a medium bowl, mix all the dressing ingredients until combined.
- In a large bowl, add lettuce and cooled pasta. Pour half of the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Top with croutons and shaved parmesan right before serving. Serve with the remaining dressing on the side.
Notes
Storing Tips:
- 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 combine right before serving. Note 1: When cooking pasta for pasta salad, make sure you let it cool or rinse under cold water before mixing.
Note 2: Add 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.
Note 3: 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 as 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.
Note 4: 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!
- 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 combine right before serving. Note 1: When cooking pasta for pasta salad, make sure you let it cool or rinse under cold water before mixing.
Note 2: Add 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.
Note 3: 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 as 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.
Note 4: 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!
Nutrition
Calories: 306kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 9gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 517mgPotassium: 113mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 79IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 114mgIron: 1mg
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only.
