Caesar Pasta Salad
This Caesar Pasta Salad is a creamy pasta salad recipe made with tender penne pasta, crisp romaine lettuce, creamy Caesar dressing, parmesan cheese, and crunchy croutons. It has the perfect mix of fresh and savory flavors, and it’s such an easy side dish to make for busy days, potlucks, or summer dinners.
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This pasta salad is best served during spring and summer. It’s one of my favorite side dishes for BBQs, cookouts, family dinners, picnics, potluck parties, or even an easy lunch during the week.
It is perfect for meal prep and pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, garlic bread, or burgers. You’ll also love to see more pasta salad recipes here!
How to Make Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Cook the pasta according to directions, rinse in cold water for a few minutes, then add to a large bowl.
2. Stir the caesar dressing into the pasta, until combined.
3. Add the lettuce and most of the parmesan cheese. Toss to combine.
4. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan and croutons over the top to serve.
5. If not serving immediately, cover and chill until ready to serve, then stir in a little more dressing, and top with the remaining parmesan and croutons to serve.
Serve & Enjoy!
Important Recipe Notes
- Rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking so it cools down quickly and doesn’t become sticky.
- Add the croutons right before serving so they stay crunchy.
- If the salad sits in the fridge for a while, stir in a little extra Caesar dressing before serving to freshen it up.
- Use Romaine lettuce because it stays crisp and fresh longer.
- You can easily add grilled chicken or bacon to turn this side dish into a full meal.
Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- ½ cup caesar salad dressing
- 1 ½ cup chopped romaine lettuce
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup croutons roughly crushed
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to directions, rinse in cold water for a few minutes, then add to a large bowl.
- Stir the caesar dressing into the pasta, until combined.
- Add the lettuce and most of the parmesan cheese. Toss to combine.
- Sprinkle the remaining parmesan and croutons over the top to serve.
- If not serving immediately, cover and chill until ready to serve, then stir in a little more dressing, and top with the remaining parmesan and croutons to serve.
