Ingredients
Scale
The key to this dish lies in selecting the right ingredients, especially fresh greens and quality Parmesan cheese. When I shop for this salad, I pick crisp Romaine lettuce and freshly grated Parmesan to keep the flavors bright and authentic. Using good-quality Caesar dressing really makes the difference—homemade is lovely if you have time, but a trusted store-bought option works just fine on busy nights.
- 8 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- 4 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
- 1 cup Caesar dressing (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional for a fresh twist)
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced (optional for added protein)
- 1 cup crunchy croutons
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for tossing pasta)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside to cool slightly.
- While the pasta is cooking, chop the Romaine lettuce and halve the cherry tomatoes if using.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, Romaine, cherry tomatoes, and cooked chicken if using.
- Add the Caesar dressing and toss gently but thoroughly, ensuring every bite is coated without wilting the lettuce.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and fold it in carefully.
- Just before serving, top with crunchy croutons and a few cracks of fresh black pepper for added texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Pasta Caesar Salad, recipe, cooking, food
