Crispy Caesar Pasta Salad
Crispy Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 1 romaine lettuce, large head, chopped
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved
- 2 cups croutons, Caesar-style
For the Crispy Chicken (Optional)
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
For the Creamy Caesar Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside.
⏱️ 12 min
- 2
If adding chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Add the chicken to the hot skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Prepare the Caesar dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
In a very large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and the cooked chicken (if using).
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Pour the prepared Caesar dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated. Stir in the shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Just before serving, add the Caesar-style croutons and toss once more. Serve immediately for best crispness of the croutons.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 1 romaine lettuce, large head, chopped
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved
- 2 cups croutons, Caesar-style
For the Crispy Chicken (Optional)
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
For the Creamy Caesar Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside.
⏱️ 12 min - 2
If adding chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Add the chicken to the hot skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Prepare the Caesar dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
In a very large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and the cooked chicken (if using).
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Pour the prepared Caesar dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated. Stir in the shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Just before serving, add the Caesar-style croutons and toss once more. Serve immediately for best crispness of the croutons.
⏱️ 1 min