Kale Caesar Pasta Salad (Easy Recipe!) 

Kale Caesar Pasta Salad is a delicious and easy way to make a tasty pasta salad that everyone will love. This recipe comes together fast and is great pasta salad recipe to have on hand for any occasion! 

If you love the flavors of classic caesar salad, then you need to give this kale caesar pasta salad a try. Made with a simple homemade creamy caesar dressing, this recipe comes together fast and is always a crowd pleaser! 

If you love hearty salads, be sure to give this Ground Turkey Taco Salad or Elote Pasta Salad a try. For a delicious chicken to serve with your pasta salad, try my Italian Chicken Cutlets recipe. If you love easy 15-minute meals, try my Lemon Mascarpone Pasta!

You’ll Love Kale Caesar Pasta Salad!

This is one recipe I get requested to make again and again! It’s perfect for potlucks, barbecues, and can be served as a side dish or main course for lunch or dinner. 

What I love is that this recipe comes together super fast and has a creamy dressing. My kids love the cute bowtie pasta shape and the peppery cheesy flavors. 

​The dressing and salad can all be assembled as the pasta cooks. Plus, the heat from the pasta helps to cook and tenderize the kale giving it the perfect bite.

You can serve Kale Caesar Pasta Salad at room temperature or chilled. It’s a great recipe to have on hand for meal prep and would be great served with rotisserie chicken or even some white beans or crispy chickpeas.

So, if you love hearty and fun pasta salads, give this recipe a try! 

Ingredients

• Pasta: I like to use the bowtie pasta shape but you can use other short pasta shapes like orecchiette or penne. 
• Kale: use a bunch of raw kale like dino kale, curly kale, or lacinato kale. Remove the hard stem from the kale, then wash well and dice into bite-sized pieces. 
• Mayo: mayonnaise is the base of the caesar dressing. I prefer to use an olive oil mayo instead of regular mayo. 
• Cheese: grated parmesan cheese makes this recipe extra special. Save extra to sprinkle on top before serving. 
• Lemon: fresh lemon juice will help brighten up the flavors of this recipe.
• Mustard: use a good dijon mustard to add flavor to the caesar dressing. 
• Garlic: fresh minced garlic is a classic flavor. Finely mince the garlic right before adding to the dressing. 

How to Make Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

This kale caesar pasta salad recipe comes together fast and is great served warm, room temperature, or chilled. If making ahead of time, only toss half of the dressing with the salad, then toss the remaining dressing when ready to serve. 

Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. 

Make the Caesar Dressing

In a bowl, whisk together the mayo, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, dijon, olive oil, minced garlic, and kosher salt and black pepper. Whisk until well combined and the dressing is smooth. 

Assemble the Salad

In a very large bowl, add in the kale and half the dressing. Then toss until well combined. 

Add in the warm pasta and toss to help the kale wilt slightly. Add in the remaining dressing and toss well. Taste for seasonings. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for later. 

Recipe Variations

​The best thing about this Kale Caesar Pasta Salad, other than its delicious flavor, is that you can customize it and change up the flavors to your preferences. Consider adding these other ingredients:

• Cherry Tomatoes: halved cherry tomatoes would add a vibrant pop of color and fresh flavor.
• Roasted Chickpeas: roasted chickpeas add great crunch. To roast, just toss the chickpeas with seasoning and bake on a baking sheet until crisp and crunchy. 
• White Beans: a drained and rinsed can of white beans add a plant-based protein and fiber to the kale salad. 
• Chicken: add cooked chicken and turn this into a kale chicken caesar pasta salad for a delicious light dinner option. 

More Delicious Kale Recipes!