Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

Do you love a crunchy kale Caesar salad as much as I do? How about creamy pasta salad? Well then, my friend, you’re absolutely going to love this kale Caesar pasta salad! This recipe combines both of those traditional dishes into the ultimate side dish for meal prep, tonight’s dinner, or to serve at your next cookout.

The best part about this pasta salad (other than it being delish!) is that it only has six main ingredients: Fusilli pasta, kale, grape tomatoes, shaved parmesan plus homemade croutons and Caesar dressing. Don’t worry, making Caesar dressing at home is easier than you think, especially if you follow my recipe. Prefer a little spice in your food? Check out my spicy kale Caesar salad recipe for a spicy version of the dressing.

If you’re short on time, you can buy store-bought croutons and bottled Caesar dressing — and I’ll try not to judge you too much. Either way, this dish is guaranteed to please a crowd.

This recipe makes about four large servings or six side dishes if you want to use it to complete a full meal. I like to serve it with a protein like chicken tenders or grilled steak — and that’s all you need because it has your carbs and vegetables. It’s also yummy on its own for a healthy(ish) lunch.

Are you hungry yet? Satisfy that craving with this recipe — you won’t regret it! Enjoy!

Can I refrigerate my kale Caesar pasta salad?

Sorta! If you prefer your pasta salad chilled, you can throw it in the fridge for 10 to 20 minutes. I’ve served this at room temperature and chilled for up to 20 minutes and both options are delicious! But if you want to make this ahead of time, I strongly suggest you hold off on the croutons and dressing until it’s time to serve to prevent soggy ingredients. And if you have leftovers, it’s best if you eat it the next at the latest.

What kind of pasta is used in this pasta salad?

Fusilli is the way to go because it has great texture that allows the dressing to cling onto the pasta to give you lots of flavor in every bite. Don’t have fusilli? Other textured pastas like farfelle or elbows work too.

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Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

Servings: 4-6

Author: Austin Havens

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 40 Min

Fusilli pasta combined with crunchy kale, grape tomatoes, shaved parmesan, croutons, and homemade Caesar dressing.

Ingredients

Ingredients for croutons

• 2 cups of day-old bread (About two to four slices depending on the type of bread)
• 2 tbsp avocado or olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder

Ingredients for Caesar dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp anchovy paste
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/2 lemon
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Ingredients for pasta salad

• 8 oz. Fusilli pasta (Half of an 1 lb. box)
• 2 cups of raw kale
• 1/2 cup grape tomatoes
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. While the oven is heating, cut your bread into bite-sized cubes then toss in oil, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and evenly spread the croutons.
4. Cook the croutons in the oven for 20 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, combine all of the dressing ingredients in a food processor or blender EXCEPT for the olive oil.
6. Blend the ingredients on medium speed for 30 to 40 seconds, slowly pouring in the olive oil. If any of the ingredients stick to the sides, use a spatula/food scrapper to combine with the dressing. Continue blending until well combined if needed.
7. In a pot, boil salted water and cook pasta to al dente according to the pasta box's instructions.
8. Meanwhile, wash your grape tomatoes then cut them in half.
9. Wash, de-stem, then finely chop the kale. You don't want big chunks of kale so make sure it's chopped well.
10. When the pasta is ready, rinse under cold water to prevent it from continuing to cook, then let dry.
11. Once all of your ingredients are prepared, combine the pasta, kale, tomatoes, grated Parmesan, croutons, and dressing in a mixing bowl. Toss until everything is coated in the dressing.
12. Serve immediately or place in the fridge for up to 20 minutes if you like chilled pasta salad.

Notes

Tip: If you want to make this ahead of time, hold off on the croutons and dressing until it's time to serve to prevent soggy ingredients.

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