Caesar Pasta Salad
This Caesar Pasta Salad is a light, flavorful dish that transforms a classic Caesar into a satisfying meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, you can even add leftover chicken, it combines crisp romaine lettuce, tender ziti pasta, and homemade buttery croutons with a creamy Caesar dressing. Quick and easy to prepare, this recipe is sure to become a favorite go-to for a refreshing and delicious low sodium dinner.
Everyone will enjoy this easy Caesar Pasta Salad because it combines simplicity with deliciousness. The recipe's straightforward steps make it a breeze to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights. The contrasting textures of crisp romaine lettuce, tender ziti pasta, and crunchy homemade croutons create a satisfying eating experience.
If you love salads then you may find that this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is super enjoyable, but I also really love this Creamy Broccoli Salad with Bacon!
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Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious Caesar Pasta Salad. From fresh romaine lettuce to crispy homemade croutons, these simple ingredients come together to make a light and satisfying meal.
- White bread - Used for creating golden, crunchy homemade croutons.
- Unsalted butter - Essential for toasting the croutons to a perfect crisp.
- Romaine lettuce - Gives a crisp and fresh base for the salad.
- Black pepper - Adds a subtle hint of seasoning to enhance flavor.
- Uncooked ziti pasta - Provides a tender and hearty component to the dish.
- Caesar Dressing without Anchovies - Brings a creamy and tangy flavor to tie everything together.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to assemble your Caesar Pasta Salad. From cooking the pasta to crafting the perfect croutons, each stage is straightforward, ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal in no time.
1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Cut bread into small pieces, using a knife make 3 cuts long ways and turn the bread and make 3 more cuts so it's 16 croutons. Heat the butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add in the pieces of bread. Cook stirring often, until they are golden and toasty and crisp. Take off of heat.
3. Place the chopped romaine in a large bowl with the black pepper. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of Caesar dressing.
4. Toss the lettuce well so everything is coated. Add in the cooked pasta and toss it well.
5. Add in 2 tablespoons more of the Caesar dressing and ensure all of the food is coated.
6. Top with the bread croutons.
Hint: For added flavor, try using freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
Substitutions
Looking to tweak this Caesar Pasta Salad to suit your taste or dietary needs? Here are some easy substitutions to keep the dish delicious while accommodating your preferences.
- Whole wheat pasta - Swap out the ziti for whole wheat pasta to add more fiber and nutrients.
- Gluten-free bread - Use gluten-free bread to make croutons if you need a gluten-free option.
- Greek yogurt - Replace the Caesar dressing with a mix of Greek yogurt and lemon juice for a lighter, creamy alternative.
I like to switch up this recipe with these substitutions from time to time. I hope these ideas are able to help you make this Pasta Caesar Salad.
Storage
To keep your Caesar Pasta Salad fresh and delicious, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay good for up to 3 days. For best results, keep the croutons separate until just before serving to ensure they remain crisp.
Top tip
For the best flavor and texture, make sure to toss the salad just before serving. This helps keep the romaine lettuce crisp and prevents the pasta from absorbing too much dressing, ensuring every bite is perfectly balanced.
FAQs for Caesar Pasta Salad No Chicken
Short pasta shapes like rotini, penne, or farfalle work well for Caesar pasta salad as they hold onto the dressing and mix well with other ingredients. These shapes also maintain a good texture and bite.
Yes, adding vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, or bell peppers can enhance the flavor and nutritional value of the salad.
More Kidney Friendly Salads
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Kidney Friendly Side Dishes
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe:
If you tried this Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
PrintCaesar Pasta Salad
This Caesar Pasta Salad combines the classic flavors of a Caesar salad with tender ziti pasta and homemade croutons. It's a light, flavorful dish that's perfect for weeknight meals or using up leftover chicken. With simple ingredients and easy steps, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
- 2 slices white bread
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cups romaine lettuce
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup uncooked ziti pasta
- ¼ cup Caesar Dressing without Anchovies
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Cut bread into small pieces, using a knife make 3 cuts long ways and turn the bread and make 3 more cuts so it's 16 croutons. Heat the butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add in the pieces of bread. Cook stirring often, until they are golden and toasty and crisp. Take off of heat.
- Place the chopped romaine in a large bowl with the black pepper. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of Caesar dressing.
- Toss the lettuce well so everything is coated. Add in the cooked pasta and toss it well.
- Add in 2 tablespoons more of the Caesar dressing and ensure all of the food is coated.
- Top with the bread croutons.
