Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

Caesar Pasta Salad is a perfect side dish to kick off the start of summer. This time of year usually means cookouts, potlucks, and family gatherings, and while traditional pasta salad with Italian dressing and chopped vegetables is always a classic, this recipe is a great alternative.

It still has that cold, creamy texture you expect, but with the bold, familiar flavors of a classic Caesar salad. It’s simple to make, easy to prep ahead of time, and you can even turn it into a full meal by adding cooked chicken or shrimp.

Best of all, you don’t even have to buy a jar of dressing. This recipe includes an easy homemade dressing made from mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovy paste.

It’s tossed with cooked pasta, chopped Romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and Parmesan cheese for a creamy, crisp, and satisfying side dish that fits right in at any summer gathering. In fact, my family always asks me to make it when we are getting together for a family barbecue.

Why This Is a Great Alternative to Traditional Pasta Salad

Traditional pasta salads often rely on bottled Italian dressing or mayonnaise-heavy dressings, chopped vegetables, and maybe a sprinkle of shredded cheese. While they’re popular, they can get a little repetitive and boring, especially if several people bring them to the party. (See my recipe for Zesty Italian Pasta Salad).

This Caesar version provides a creamy base but adds that classic Caesar dressing flavor that people already love on salads. Then you add in the Romaine lettuce which gives it a crisp bite, and the croutons which gives the salad even more crunch.

It’s a dish that works well alongside grilled meats, burgers, or even as a light lunch on its own.

Where to Find Anchovy Paste (and How to Make It Without It)

Anchovy paste gives Caesar dressing its signature umami kick. If you’ve never used it before, don’t worry – it’s not overpowering or fishy when mixed into the dressing.

You can usually find anchovy paste in the canned seafood section of the grocery store, often near tuna and sardines. It comes in a small tube, much like toothpaste, and keeps for a long time in the fridge after opening.

If you prefer to leave out anchovy paste, you still have options. The Worcestershire sauce already contains a bit of anchovy flavor, so your dressing won’t lose too much depth.

Just leave it out and taste your dressing to see if it needs an extra pinch of salt or Parmesan to balance the flavor.

Caesar Pasta Salad Lighted Up With Greek Yogurt

If you’re looking for a lighter version of this salad, you can easily swap out some or all of the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt adds protein and reduces the fat content, but still gives you the creamy texture the dressing needs.

You can try half mayo and half Greek yogurt the first time to see how you like it. The tang of the yogurt also works well with the lemon juice and Dijon mustard.

Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

For the dressing:

• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise (or half mayo and half Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
• 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh ground black pepper, to taste

For the salad:

• 8 oz. uncooked pasta, such as rotini, bow-tie, or penne
• 2 hearts of Romaine lettuce, chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup croutons
• 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), garlic, and anchovy paste until smooth. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh ground pepper to taste. Set the dressing aside.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large serving bowl. Let it cool completely.
3. Once the pasta has cooled, add the chopped Romaine lettuce to the bowl.
4. Pour the dressing over the pasta and lettuce. Toss everything together until the pasta and lettuce are evenly coated.
5. Add the croutons and top with the shaved Parmesan cheese.
6. Serve right away or refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.

How to Serve and Store Caesar Pasta Salad

You can serve this pasta salad right after making it, or refrigerate it and serve it later. Either way, it’s important to keep it cold because of the mayonnaise-based dressing.

If you’re serving it at an outdoor cookout or picnic, make sure it doesn’t sit out for more than two hours. If it’s hot outside, aim for no more than one hour. You can place the serving bowl in a larger bowl of ice to help keep it cool during your event.

If you’re making it ahead of time, keep the dressing separate from the lettuce and croutons until you’re ready to serve. This helps prevent the lettuce from getting soggy and the croutons from losing their crunch.

You can cook the pasta, mix the dressing, and prep the other ingredients the day before. Then toss everything together just before serving.

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eaten within two days. The lettuce and croutons may soften over time, but the flavors will still be delicious.

If you know you’ll have leftovers, consider serving the croutons on the side so people can add them to their own plates, helping to keep them fresh and crispy.

Make It a Meal

While this salad works great as a side dish, you can easily turn it into a full meal. Just add cooked and diced chicken or shrimp before tossing it with the dressing.

If you’re grilling chicken for the holiday weekend, cook a few extra pieces and set them aside to cool. Slice them up and toss them in. Shrimp also works well, especially if you’re looking for something a little lighter. Just make sure the meat is fully cooled before adding it, so it doesn’t wilt the lettuce or warm up the salad.

This Caesar Pasta Salad is a great twist on a classic side dish. It’s easy to make and full of flavor.

Whether you’re bringing it to a Memorial Day cookout, packing it up for a picnic, or just making lunch for yourself, it’s a recipe that’s sure to be a hit. And with options to lighten it up with Greek yogurt or turn it into a full meal with chicken or shrimp, it’s a great recipe to keep on hand.

So if you’re looking to try something a little different this year, skip the usual pasta salad and give this Caesar Pasta Salad a spot on summertime picnic buffet table. It might just become a new favorite.

Enjoy! Mary

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