Caesar Pasta Salad
Caesar Pasta Salad has all of the traditional flavors of a chicken Caesar salad with a flavorful mixture of Caesar dressing and Italian dressing mix that clings to the ridges of Rotini noodles. It’s perfect for a quick lunch at home or a summer potluck gathering, and it’s the pasta salad I come back to all summer long.
If you are looking for other fantastic salads, try my Italian Caprese Pasta Salad, BLT Pasta Salad, or this Chipotle Chicken Pasta Salad.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
I love summer pasta salads that require only a few ingredients and come together quickly, and this Caesar Salad with pasta recipe is just that! I also appreciate that this Caesar PASTA salad keeps very well for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.
An important part in making this salad especially flavorful is immediately marinating the Rotini noodles in dressing overnight before assembling the rest of the ingredients and serving.
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My family enjoys this salad with chicken since the addition of protein makes it a complete main dish. I like to send this salad in my husband’s lunch, wrapped in a flour tortilla so he can eat it while he drives – it works perfectly!
Ingredients & Variations
For a complete list of all the ingredients needed, review the recipe card below.
- Rotini Pasta: You may substitute any shape of pasta for this salad, but I love how each bite of rotini is so flavorful because the dressing can cling to each of the ridges of the pasta. Just be sure to cook it to the al dente stage so it retains good texture and bite. Nobody likes mushy pasta!
- Chicken: Any fully-cooked chicken works great, whether shredded with your fingers or chopped with a knife. To make assembly of this salad especially fast, use the meat from a store-purchased rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken. If your family prefers, you can substitute other fully-cooked meats such as leftover grilled steak, pork tenderloin, or salmon. My guys also enjoy chopped, cooked bacon added to this salad along with the chicken, but to me, that’s not a traditional Caesar salad.
- Dry Italian Dressing Packet: I like to use Good Seasonings dry Italian dressing, but you can use any similar brand.
- Grape Tomatoes: These little tomatoes are quick and easy to slice in half lengthwise, but you can also substitute chopped Roma tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, if needed.
- Romaine Lettuce: When romaine lettuce isn’t available at my grocer, I have substituted leaf lettuce.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Place cooked and cooled pasta into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the pasta with dry Good Seasons Italian dressing and about 1/2 cup of the bottled Caesar dressing; toss gently. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to marinate.
Step 2: When you’re ready to serve the salad, add the grape tomato halves, chopped lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese, and chicken (if using) to the marinated pasta in the large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Add the remaining 1 cup of dressing (or to taste) and toss gently to combine all the ingredients. Serve at once.
More Salad Recipes for a Potluck
Packed with big pickle flavor, Dill Pickle Pasta Salad combines pickle juice in a creamy dressing with rotini pasta, shredded cheese, chopped pastrami, crunchy red onion, and chopped dill pickles for a flavor like no other.
This classic Best Ambrosia Salad Recipe is simple to put together for a weeknight meal and special enough for your holiday table.
Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz. rotini pasta cooked to al dente according to package directions
- 1 tablespoon dry Good Seasons Italian dressing from a packet
- 1 cup grape tomatoes cut in half lengthwise
- 1 medium head Romaine lettuce rinse, dried and chopped into bite-size pieces
- 2 cups Olive Garden Garlic and Romano croutons home made or store bought
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken breast optional
- 1 1/2 cups Olive Garden Original Caesar Salad Dressing, or to taste divided use
Instructions
- Place the cooked and cooled pasta into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the pasta with dry Good Seasons Italian dressing and about 1/2 cup of the bottled Caesar dressing; toss gently. Cover and refrigerate overnight to marinate.8 oz. rotini pasta, 1 tablespoon dry Good Seasons Italian dressing from a packet
- When you're ready to serve the salad, add the grape tomato halves, chopped lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese, and chicken (if using) to the marinated pasta in the large mixing bowl.1 cup grape tomatoes, 1 medium head Romaine lettuce, 2 cups Olive Garden Garlic and Romano croutons, 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken breast
- Add the remaining 1 cup of dressing (or to taste) and toss gently to combine all the ingredients. Serve at once.1 1/2 cups Olive Garden Original Caesar Salad Dressing, or to taste