On the surface, it seems like such an obvious idea; combine pasta salad with perhaps the most popular salad in America. Sounds deliciously straightforward! This Caesar Pasta Salad brings the body and heartiness of a pasta salad to a crisp bed of lettuce, which in turn serves up a colossal amount of flavor. You’ve got the savory grilled chicken, the crunchy croutons, the sharp parmesan, and that classic homemade, creamy, zesty dressing. Can you imagine a better pasta salad than Caesar Pasta Salad? It would be hard to do!
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 3-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons anchovy paste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
For the salad:
- 3/4 pound penne or other medium pasta
- 2-3 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Cajun seasoning, to taste
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup croutons
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- lemon wedges, optional, for serving
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the grill to medium heat.
Step 2 –In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, the Greek yogurt, 1/3 cup of the parmesan, the lemon juice, the garlic, the anchovy paste, the mustard, the Worcestershire sauce, the salt, and the pepper.
Step 3 –Refrigerate the dressing until ready to use.
Step 4 –Cook the pasta to al dente, according to the package directions.
Step 5 –Run the pasta under cold water and drain it well.
Step 6 –Season the chicken breasts with the olive oil, the Cajun seasoning, the salt, and the pepper.
Step 7 –Grill the seasoned chicken breasts until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 4-5 minutes.
Step 8 –Let the chicken rest until cooled.
Step 9 –Chop or slice the chicken.
Step 10 –Combine the pasta, the chicken, the lettuce, the croutons, the remaining parmesan, and the bacon in a large bowl.
Step 11 –Dress the salad with the desired amount of dressing.
Step 12 –Serve immediately with the lemon wedges.