Description
Club Sandwich Pasta Salad combines the creamy, tangy flavors of a classic club sandwich with the hearty, refreshing texture of a pasta salad. Featuring cooked pasta, chicken breast, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and a zesty mayo-based dressing, this salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, lunches, or light dinners. It offers a satisfying medley of flavors and textures with juicy tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, smoky bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese, all tossed in a creamy Dijon dressing and finished with crunchy toasted bread cubes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad
- 3 cups cooked pasta (rotini or penne work well)
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, cubed
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cubed toasted bread or croutons
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley or chives
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked and cooled pasta, cubed chicken breast, crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, chopped romaine lettuce, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix gently to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture. Gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated in the creamy dressing, ensuring each bite is flavorful.
- Add Crunch: Just before serving, fold in the toasted bread cubes or croutons. This prevents them from becoming soggy and adds a delightful crunch to the salad.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives if desired. Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain texture and prevent mushiness.
- Rinse cooked pasta under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down quickly.
- Use extra crispy bacon to avoid sogginess in the salad.
- Add lettuce just before serving to keep it fresh and crisp.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or vinegar before serving for brightness.
- This salad keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days but add toasted bread cubes only before serving.
- Feel free to substitute meats or add more vegetables like cucumbers, bell peppers, or shredded carrots.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Club sandwich pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, chicken bacon pasta salad, picnic salad, easy lunch salad, mayo-based dressing pasta salad
