Creamy, crunchy, and loaded with flavor, this Caesar Pasta Salad recipe is packed with crispy bacon, tender pasta, and homemade garlic butter croutons. It’s the kind of dish that disappears fast at potlucks, barbecues, or weeknight dinners.
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Why You'll Love this Caesar Pasta Salad:
- Quick & easy: Ready in about 30 minutes with minimal prep.
- Simple ingredients: Nothing fancy, just pantry staples and fresh basics.
- Easily Made Gluten Free: Swap in gluten-free pasta and bread to make it fully gluten-free.
Key Ingredients:
- Short-cut pasta: Rotini, penne, or bowtie all work well here. Cook it al dente so it holds up in the salad.
- Thick-cut bacon: Crisps up beautifully and adds smoky, salty richness that takes this beyond your average Caesar pasta salad.
- Romaine lettuce: The classic Caesar base. Its crisp texture pairs perfectly with the tender pasta.
- Shaved Parmesan: Nutty & salty. Shave from the block if you can.
- Caesar dressing – Go with your favorite creamy Caesar (I love Ken's Creamy Caesar), or make your own from scratch. You’ll need about ¼ to ⅓ cup to coat everything nicely.
- Day-old bread – Torn into rustic chunks for the homemade garlic butter croutons. A crusty loaf like sourdough or a French baguette works great.
- Garlic powder + fresh garlic – Layered garlic flavor is key to these golden, toasty garlic croutons.
Dietary & Allergy-Friendly Swaps:
This Caesar pasta salad is super easy to adapt for different dietary needs. Here are a few simple swaps to make it work for you or your guests:
- Gluten-Free – Use your favorite gluten-free short pasta and swap in gluten-free bread for the garlic butter croutons. Double-check your Caesar dressing as well, some brands may contain gluten, often as a thickener or flavor enhancer.
- Dairy-Free – Choose a dairy-free Caesar dressing (such as Follow Your Heart or Daiya) and skip the Parmesan, or use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative (such as VioLife Just Like Parmesan).
- Vegetarian – Just leave out the bacon! If you want to add a bit of extra texture or protein, try roasted chickpeas or plant-based bacon or chicken.
Recipe Variations:
There’s a lot of room to play with this Caesar pasta salad recipe. Here are a few tasty variations to make it your own:
- Grilled Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad – Swap the bacon for grilled chicken to make it a more filling main dish. Great for meal prep and lunches!
- Bacon Caesar Salad with Eggs – Add a soft-boiled or jammy egg on top for a brunch-style version of this salad.
- Roasted Veggies – Toss in some roasted zucchini or asparagus for added color and a little extra nutrition.
How to Make Caesar Pasta Salad with Garlic Butter Croutons:
- Make croutons: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Toss torn day-old bread with olive oil, melted butter, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bake 10–12 minutes, then toss with minced garlic and bake 4–6 more until golden and crisp.
- Cook pasta: Boil salted water, cook pasta until al dente, then drain and cool completely.
- Cook bacon: While pasta cooks, crisp bacon in a skillet or oven. Drain and crumble.
- Toss salad: In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, chopped romaine, bacon, Parmesan, and croutons. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss to coat.
- Serve: Top with extra Parmesan and black pepper. Serve right away for best texture.
Tips for Success:
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Slightly underdone (al dente) is best. Overcooked pasta will turn mushy once it soaks up the dressing.
- Cool the pasta completely: Tossing hot pasta into cold greens = wilt city. Let it cool so everything stays crisp and fresh.
- Toss just before serving – To avoid soggy lettuce and croutons, wait to toss the salad until right before serving. If prepping ahead, keep components separate.
Make Ahead & Storage:
- Make Ahead: Cook and chop all components up to a day ahead. Store croutons at room temp and the rest (undressed) in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Toss with dressing just before serving..
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. Just know the texture won’t be quite the same, but it will still taste good!
- Croutons: Extra garlic butter croutons stored on their own in an airtight container at room temp keep for 2–3 days.
Serve Caesar Pasta Salad with:
This Caesar pasta salad makes a perfect meal on its own, but it also makes a great side dish to a main course. Here are some ideas to make it a more complete meal:
- Classic French Croque Madame Sandwich with Parmesan Béchamel
- Gluten-Free Cucumber & Dill Rotisserie Chicken Salad
- Tomates Farcies (Sausage & Herb Stuffed Tomatoes)
FAQs:
Is this Caesar pasta salad recipe good for meal prep?
Sort of! It’s great for next-day lunches if you store it undressed. Keep the dressing on the side and toss just before eating for the best texture.
What’s the best pasta to use?
Short-cut pasta like rotini, penne, or bowtie works best. They hold the dressing well and won’t overpower the salad.
Can I use store-bought croutons?
Yes, absolutely! Using store-bought croutons and dressing helps bring this Caesar pasta salad together in a snap!
Is Caesar dressing gluten free?
Many aren’t, so always check the label or make your own! And don’t forget to use gluten-free pasta and bread for the croutons if needed.
More Pasta Salad Recipes You Will Love:
- Easy Cucumber Pasta Salad with Feta and Dill
- Creamy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad with Bacon & Cheddar
- Mediterranean Pasta & Kale Salad with Garlic Basil Dressing
- Easy Vintage Tuna Pasta Salad
Recipe
Caesar Pasta Salad with Bacon & Garlic Butter Croutons
This creamy Caesar Pasta Salad is the perfect balance of tender pasta, crispy bacon, crunchy romaine, and bold, garlicky homemade croutons. It’s quick to make, easy to adapt for dietary needs, and always a crowd-pleaser, whether for potlucks, picnics, or weekday meals.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 8 oz short-cut pasta rotini, penne, or bowtie, gluten-free if needed
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon
- 1 large head romaine lettuce chopped
- ⅓ cup shaved Parmesan or dairy-free alternative
- ⅓ cup Caesar dressing check label if gluten free
For the Garlic Butter Croutons:
- 2 cups day-old bread torn into rustic chunks (gluten-free if needed)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon butter or dairy-free alternative, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 clove garlic minced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Make the garlic butter croutons: In a large bowl, toss the torn bread with olive oil, melted butter, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Spread in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes. Remove, toss with minced garlic, and return to the oven for 4–6 minutes more until golden and crisp. Let cool.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and let cool completely.
- Cook the bacon: While the pasta cooks, crisp bacon in a skillet over medium heat or bake in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cool.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped romaine, crumbled bacon, shaved Parmesan, and garlic croutons. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss until evenly coated.
- Serve: Plate immediately and top with extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Tips for Success:
- Cook pasta al dente: Slightly firm pasta holds up better in pasta salad and won’t turn mushy after tossing with dressing.
- Cool pasta completely: Warm pasta can wilt the lettuce and melt the cheese. Let it cool fully before assembling.
- Toss just before serving: Toss everything with dressing right before serving.
- To Make Gluten Free: Use gluten-free pasta and swap in gluten-free bread for the croutons. Double-check the Caesar dressing label.
- To Make Dairy Free: Use a dairy-free Caesar dressing (e.g., Follow Your Heart or Daiya). Replace Parmesan with a dairy-free alternative like VioLife Just Like Parmesan. Swap the butter in the croutons with a plant-based version.
- Nutrition Information is an estimate only and will vary according to ingredients and amounts used.
Nutrition
Calories: 480kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 17gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 9gFiber: 3gSugar: 2g
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