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tortellini pasta salad with caesar dressing tossed in glass bowl.
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5 from 2 votes

Pasta Salad with Caesar Dressing

This Tortellini Pasta Salad with Caesar Dressing is creamy, tangy, and loaded with cheesy pasta goodness. It’s the easiest way to turn a classic Caesar salad into a hearty, crowd-pleasing side.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 45 minutes
Course: lunch, Side Dish
Servings: 6
Calories: 735kcal
Author: Courtney Paige

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • measuring cups / spoons
  • knife & cutting board
  • large skillet
  • Sauce pot
  • strainer
  • Glass measuring cup
  • Whisk
  • Tongs
  • large freezer bag

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 1.5 lbs Chicken breasts thinly sliced
  • ½ bottle Light caesar dressing we love Ken’s vinaigrette

Croutons

  • ½ baguette of french Bread ~ 2-3 cups, cubed
  • ¼ cup Olive oil
  • Generous pinch Salt
  • generous cranks Pepper
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Salad

  • 2 packages Romaine lettuce washed (14 total oz)
  • 1 package Cheese Tortellini 9oz
  • 2 cups Parmesan cheese shredded

Dressing

  • ½ cup Light mayo
  • 3 tbsp Lemon juice ~1 lemon
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Anchovy paste
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 2-3 tsp milk for thining

Instructions

  • At least 1 hour ahead of time (or overnight) marinate the chicken breasts. Place the thinly sliced chicken breasts in a large plastic bag and with caesar dressing. Refrigerate until ready to cook.
    chicken marinated in large freezer size bag.
  • Make the croutons: Preheat the oven to 425F. Cut the bread into small cubes. Place on a sheet pan, drizzle oil, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning on the croutons. Toss so everything is well covered. Bake for 10 mins, toss the croutons to avoid burning, then bake for another 5 minutes. They should be golden brown.
  • Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator 10-15 mins prior to grilling.
  • Cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain and set aside until the rest of the ingredients are ready. Note: I like to cook al dente so the tortellini don't fall apart in the salad.
  • While the tortellini is cooking, mix together the caesar dressing until smooth. It should be spoonable/drizzable for the salad - add milk for thinness. Shred the cheese and finely chop the lettuce.
    homemade caesar dressing in glass beaker.
  • Cook the chicken. Heat a grill pan to medium-high heat and oil if necessary. Once hot, place each chicken breast on the grill pan and cover with a lid (this will help with even cooking and grill marks). Sear for 3-4 minutes on a side, then flip **If the chicken breasts are not pounded/thin, this will take longer. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Place cooked chicken on a cutting board to rest for 5-10 minutes. Once cooled, dice chicken into bite-size pieces.
    4 chicken breasts seasoned and cooked in large skillet.
  • Assemble the salad! In a large bowl, add the chopped lettuce, cooked tortellini, grilled chicken, shredded parm, homemade croutons and drizzle with dressing. Toss so everything is combined! Serve immediately and enjoy!!
    tortellini pasta salad with caesar dressing ingredients with tongs prior to tossing in glass bowl.

Notes

We love this anchovy paste!
I've tested this dressing with half plain greek yogurt & light mayo and it's fabulous. 
Tip: If taking to a barbecue or prepping in advance, prep the ingredients but keep them separate until ready to enjoy. Toss in a bowl right before serving as the lettuce will wilt the longer it sits in this salad and the noodles will absorb all of the dressing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 735kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 34g | Fiber: 3g