Put a unique twist on a classic Caesar salad by adding a little pasta.
For lovers of Caesar salad, there is probably no way to make it even better. But what if you added some pasta? Trust me when I say that if you like Caesar salad, this is a twist on a classic that’s worth trying. It’s the same salad you know and love with the tangy dressing, crisp lettuce, and umami cheese—it just adds some penne pasta for taste and texture. After all, adding pasta to any dish is usually a good thing.
Not only do I love the taste of Caesar pasta salad, but I also find its versatility helpful. Since pasta with a side of salad usually constitutes a full meal, this Caesar pasta salad can easily be a main course. It can also be used as a side dish or appetizer that you can bring to a potluck. You can even turn its ingredients into a wrap, making it easy to put together for either lunch or dinner. Best of all, it’s easy to customize this recipe to make a pasta salad that’s exactly the way you want it.
Is This Caesar Pasta Salad Healthy?
Though this Caesar pasta salad has some fiber, along with vitamins and minerals, it isn’t especially nutritious. If you’re having Caesar pasta salad as an appetizer or side dish, you may want to enjoy it in moderation. The pasta, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and dressing add carbs and fat, which could be something for people on certain diets to watch. To make the salad more nutritious, consider adding some more leafy greens like kale and using whole-wheat pasta. You could also swap out the Greek yogurt for a low-fat variety. Want to make this dish gluten-free? Just swap the regular pasta and croutons for gluten-free versions. They’re fairly easy to find in most large grocery stores.
Dressing Up Your Caesar Salad Pasta
As mentioned, this recipe is easy to customize if you want to add some ingredients. For example, for non-vegetarians, adding grilled chicken or bacon bits is a good way to add even more protein to the pasta salad. Naturally, adding more vegetables is also common with Caesar pasta salad. For veggie lovers, I usually recommend cherry tomatoes or cucumbers because they blend well with the pasta and romaine lettuce. For those who like a little crunch in their salad on top of the croutons, I suggest adding walnuts or almonds.
How To Make Ahead And Store
If possible, enjoy the salad soon after it’s made. In the fridge, the salad will stay good for up to 3 days, but the greens may lose their crisp texture. I recommend that you put croutons only on the portions you’re actually serving, rather than the whole bowl. Otherwise, they will turn soggy in the fridge.
Serving Suggestions
If you’re planning to serve Caesar pasta salad as the main course, it goes well with a side of Garlic Toast. It also goes great with a serving of Keto Tomato Soup or perhaps some Tomato Basil Soup. If you’re enjoying it as a side dish, I recommend something simple like Grilled Chicken Breast as the main dish. If you prefer seafood along with your Caesar pasta salad, I would suggest making Lemon-Pepper Shrimp or Orange-Lime Grilled Grouper.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta penne recommended
- 4 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup Caesar croutons
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in boiling water until al dente (see time on the box). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, cooked pasta, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- For the dressing, whisk together Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and olive oil in a bowl until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well combined. Top with Caesar croutons before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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