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caesar pasta salad

Easy Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe Ready in 20 Minutes

A creamy, tangy twist on the classic Caesar salad—this Caesar Pasta Salad features grilled chicken, crispy bacon, romaine lettuce, and penne pasta, all tossed in a rich homemade Caesar dressing. It’s hearty enough for lunch, perfect for summer cookouts, and ready in just 20 minutes!

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4–6 1x

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 lb chicken breasts, pounded for even cooking

  • 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy

  • 8 oz penne pasta

  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

  • 1 heart romaine lettuce, chopped

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise

  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

  • 2 anchovy fillets, mashed

  • 2 cloves garlic, mashed

  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard

  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

  • Juice of 1 lemon

  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

  • Optional: Shaved Parmesan and lemon zest for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Grill chicken breasts over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Let rest, then cube.

Step 2: Boil penne pasta in salted water until just past al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.

Step 3: In a large bowl, mash garlic and anchovies into a paste.

Step 4: Whisk in mayo, Greek yogurt, Dijon, Worcestershire, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Add grated Parmesan and mix into a smooth dressing.

Step 5: Add cooked pasta to the bowl and toss to coat with dressing.

Step 6: Fold in cubed chicken, chopped bacon, red onion, and chopped romaine.

 

Step 7: Garnish with shaved Parmesan and lemon zest if desired. Serve immediately or chill for up to 3 hours before serving.

Notes

  • Make up to 1 day ahead, but store romaine separately to avoid wilting.

  • Anchovy paste can replace fillets if preferred.

  • For extra crunch, add croutons right before serving.

  • Great with grilled shrimp instead of chicken for a seafood variation.

  • Author: Emilie Faivre
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Cuisine: American Summer Classics