Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
This Caesar Pasta Salad with avocado is a must-try. It’s scrumptious and makes for an easy weeknight family meal. It combines veggies and grains and made perfect with creamy caesar dressing.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe:
This salad has all the creamy goodness of a classic Caesar salad but is so much more exciting with the addition of pasta, avocado and tomatoes
This caesar pasta salad will fill you up and keep you feeling good! It’s also a great dish to take to a potluck, just keep the croutons separate until ready to serve.
Ingredients for Caesar Pasta Salad:
1 large or 2 medium heads of romaine lettuce
1/2 lb fusilli pasta, cooked al dente according to package instructions
1 medium avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
Grated parmesan cheese, to taste
Caesar Dressing (Marzetti is our favorite storebought brand) and Croutons.
Optional add-ins:
Sliced Grilled chicken, Shrimp
How to Make Caesar Pasta Salad:
1. Cook pasta according to package instructions then rinse in cold water and drain.
2. Rinse, chop and spin the romaine lettuce dry using a salad spinner (Amazon affiliate link). If you don’t have a salad spinner, pat dry with a clean towel.
Cook’s Tip: The dressing will coat the salad much better if the lettuce isn’t wet. Transfer lettuce to a large mixing bowl. Toss in the diced avocado and halved tomatoes.
3. Creamy Caesar Dressing to really boost the flavor of this salad. It’s so creamy and good! Toss to evenly coat the lettuce. Add the dressing to taste. Sprinkle with parmesan and croutons. Yum. Yum
If you prefer a homemade dressing, try our popular homemade creamy caesar.
If you love pasta salads, be sure to try this creamy avocado pasta salad (the dressing will surprise you!)
Caesar Pasta Salad with Avocado

Ingredients
For the Caesar Salad:
- 1 large romaine lettuce, (or 2 small heads)
- 1/2 lb fusilli pasta, cooked al dente according to package instructions
- 1 medium avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup Grated parmesan cheese, to taste
- 1/4 cup Caesar Dressing, or added to taste
- 1/2 cup Croutons
Optional add-ins:
- Sliced Grilled chicken or Shrimp
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Rinse in cold water and set aside to drain.
- Rinse, chop and spin the romaine lettuce dry using a salad spinner. If you don't have a salad spinner, pat dry with a clean towel. The dressing will coat the salad much better if the lettuce isn't wet. Transfer lettuce to a large mixing bowl. Toss in the pasta, diced avocado, and halved tomatoes.
- Add the Caesar Dressing to really boost the flavor of this salad. Toss to evenly coat the lettuce. Add the dressing to taste. Sprinkle with parmesan and croutons.
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
It’s never said when to add the pasta to the salad. Cook pasta then in separate bowl mix Romain, tomatoes, avocado, dressing and cheese but when and how do you mix the pasta in?
Hi Frank, you can add the pasta when you transfer the lettuce to the large bowl. Thank you for pointing that out.
tried this recipe and it was so good, my son likes it, thank you for sharing…..
You are very welcome, Myrna. Good to know that your son enjoyed this recipe!
How to increase recipe as main dish for 8 ladies??
Love your videos!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying our videos, Mary! If you click Jump to recipe that will take you to the recipe ard where you can use the serving slider to adjust to the number of servings desired!
Didn’t care for the lettuce and the pasta mixed together.
Hi Deb, you might like the classic Caesar Salad recipe better.
Making this salad as a side on Sunday………never mixed salad and noodles together…fingers crossed I can make this happen well…
I hope you enjoy it and we look forward to your feedback!
great idea on adding the pasta. I add chicken if it is going to be the main dish and with pasta added will be great. Thanks suggestion on the salad dressing. I see that in the produce section of the store but never tried it. Now I will. I have been buying Paul Newman’s creamy Caesar and that really good a lot.
I’m so happy you liked that, Sharon! We love it with chicken also!
Where do you buy that dressing?
Hi Lisa, we purchased ours from a local grocery store. I know Fredy Meyer and Walmart carry them in our area. If not we have an awesome homemade caesar dressing here.
Making this (with added chicken) for a small pot-luck gathering. I bet the bowl comes home empty.
Great idea! Please let me know what everyone thinks Deb!
Hi Natasha, today I made this salad, I couldn’t find that dressing, so I decide to make the Caesar Dressing Recipe you have, was so easy to make it, my 13 years old granddaughter made it, was soooo good, my whole family love it!!, the salad as well the dressing!!!! Thanks for sharing your recipes!!!
Hello Cristina! I’m glad to hear the whole family loves the recipe. Thanks for sharing your excellent review!
Dies this stay good for a few days? I would love to make this ahead of time to take to work
Hi Savannah the only part of this that does not work to make ahead is the lettuce – it will wilt if kept overnight after adding the dressing. Our Chicken avocado salad does keep well in the refrigerator for a couple of days.
We loved this recipe… so easy to put together and so tasty and it even looked good. I’ll be making this again for sure.
I’m glad to hear that Pam! Thanks for sharing your great review!
Is it ok to put the pasta in the fridge so it isn’t hot on the salad?
Hi Hagan, you can if you wish. I always rinse it in cold water which cools it sufficiently, but refrigerating would also work great 🙂
The safest way to cool pasta is rinsing and/or soaking in cold water. Then you can put it in the fridge. Putting it directly in the fridge is dangerous and can harvest bacteria.
How many people will this serve?
It would serve 4 people 🙂
How many calories is one serving?
Hi Chelse, I don’t have nutritional information on most of my recipes due to time constraints. Sorry I can’t be more helpful!
Thanks for sharing this pasta and avocado Caesar salad recipe. I used my own Caesar dressing that I learned from my mom and it complimented your recipe really well! Next time, I hope to see your own created dressing for which I would want to see a recipe.
I am so glad you enjoyed it! Maybe that dressing can be added to my list of “to-do” recipes.
Sorry, but a salad recipe with a dressing out of a bag is not a recipe to me. The Internet is international and this dressing isn’t avilble to everyone.
Hi Kathy, I’m sorry you aren’t able to find it. It’s our favorite store-bought dressing and this post was sponsored by the company that makes it, but if you need a homemade one, we have that too! Click here for our Caesar dressing recipe.
I must have missed the name of the store bought dressing you referred to…can you tell me the brand?
Yes, Marzetti is our favorite store-bought brand.
Love this recipe, thanks for sharing 🙂
Luda, thank you for the nice review and you are welcome 😁.
Hello Natasha! Me and my fiance love your blog and we tried several recipes and it worked really well. You have ammazing ideas! Thank you! Danka from Slovakia
Dana, welcome to the site and thank you for the sweet comment 😊. I hope you’ll find lots of new favorites here.
Hi Natasha, how come I can’t find a video for this recipe?
Hi Yelena, the sponsors video players stopped working correctly. Unfortunately they didn’t allow me to upload it to my YouTube channel so I’m not sure when it will be posted again. Sorry! 🙁
So very good. You really don’t need the dressing if you use a whole avocado and olive oil
I love smart and healthy substitutions like that! Thank you for sharing!
This was absolutely delicious!
Thank you so much for your awesome review! 🙂
hi natasha,
is there a substitute for this dressing.Apparently I dont see any store nearby in Dallas where I can buy this!!!
Yes, you can use your favorite caesar dressing brand and it will still be delicious 🙂
this recipe sounds amazing ty for sharing…i have dinner idea for tonight
I’m on a diet right now, so I’d use the ranch on a chef salad, yum!
It looks delicious! I should try to make this salad…
I’d never have thought to add pasta to a green salad. I have to give it a try.
Tweeted.
https://twitter.com/birdiebee52/status/605169241268961280
I will use the BALSAMIC SALAD DRESSING to dress up my favorite pasta salad with veggies, olives, peppers, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.
I would use the Ranch Dressing in my grilled chicken salad.
I have always used Thousand Island Dressing on Tex-Mex salad, but I noticed on Simply Dressed’s website they have Sriracha Ranch salad dressing. I am going to try that as soon as I find who in my area carries their product. Your Caesar looks very inviting also.
http://twitter.com/ccboobooy/status/605150889805025280
I would use the Sriracha Ranch in my macaroni and bacon salad.
I will use it to make a delicious veggie pasta salad!
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/605094140028649472
I enjoy a fresh salad with ingredients from my local Farmer’s Market. I like the Marzetti Simply Dressed Balsamic Vinaigrette.
Thanks for the contest.
We like to make salads with items from our garden lettuce, onions, green peppers and tomatoes and fresh corn off the cobb
I add grilled chicken and bacon the ranch dressing would be
perfect for our salads.
I sent out a tweet https://twitter.com/electricstar/status/605050592440950785
I would use the ranch on grilled chicken salads!
We could use the Marzetti Caesar dressing in our loaded chicken potato casserole.
This recipe looks delicious!
WOW!! That looks fantastic. Will make this as soon as I get back from shopping for ingredients. Thank you!!
my tweet https://twitter.com/iamdadtastic/status/605034994294124544
We would use Marzetti Simply Dressed refrigerated salad dressings to make cold salads and wraps
I would add it to the tuna pasta salad that I make.
A few of the Marzetti dressings can be heated and used as a sauce. I pour them over chicken & potatoes. The bleu cheese is fantastic on steak too!
Natasha,
Thanks for the recepie. I tried it just as you posted it and it was so yummy!! It’s like a salad and a meal put into one:)
From now all I’m just going to buy this Ceaser dressing 🙂
I use them on grilled chicken sandwiches
I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/versatileer/status/604959884333826048
I have a nice Pasta and Avocado Caesar Salad Recipe that includes Marzetti Simply Dressed Caesar salad dressing that is delicious!
tweeted…
https://twitter.com/katklaw777/status/604953803259965440
This salad looks delish! I don’t care for blue cheese but my Hubby lovs it and we find the Marzetti® Simply Dressed® is his very favorite.
I would add some black olives and maybe an anchovie or two and use the GREEK FETA SALAD DRESSING…it is my very favorite.
I sometimes use it like mayo on our sandwiches…Hubby luvs that too!
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/604891115637088256
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I would add it to a salad using romaine lettuce, tomatoes and shredded rotisserie chicken
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
https://twitter.com/davisesq212/status/604883028918157312
I can use the dressings as marinades for chicken or on sandwiches.
https://twitter.com/eaglesforjack/status/604865401827127297
So yummyI love the ranch for potato salad
tweet –
I’d use the Caesar dressing too! We have all kinds of crisp lettuce and baby tomatoes growing in our backyard that would be great in there.
Wow! 3 of my favorite things… Avocado, pasta & Ceasar salad. Yum! Next on my list!!
I would use this for a chicken salad.
Marzetti brand is one my grand mother introduced me to and have used it for many years.
I would use it to make your recipe first. That looks amazing. Thank you for sharing.
Marzetti dressings sound very healthy and delisious! 🙂
I would use the dressing for garden salads and pasta salads!!
https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/604803140492398592
This salad sounds SOOOOO GOOD!!!! Unfortunately, I’ll have to wait til I have an opportunity to take it to a picnic, as my husband can’t eat raw veggies, and it would make far too much for me, only, to consume. 🙁
I love Marzetti dressing and would use this in my pasta salad
Wonderful salad! Thank you for sharing
I tweeted – https://mobile.twitter.com/saverang/status/604796850944622592?p=p
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
I will use the Ranch Salad Dressing on our dinner salads, as well as on our Turkey Bacon Wraps!
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
Definitely on my try on list. Want to try this Marzetti dressing for sure. Thanks for great recipes.
Love this dressing! People are amazed that I did not make it myself
Love this dressing! People are amazed that I did not make it myself
I tweeted. Thanks for the chance
I usually make my own Caeser dressing. This looks a lot easier. I will try this next time.
I would defiantly use the dressing for salads, dipping vegetables in and many many more! 🙂
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/604766599489462272
I would use the dressings on grilled chicken salad.
This recipe looks delicious! I’m going to make it for my daughter’s bridal shower.
https://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/604759276394020866
I’d make spicy buffalo chicken salad.
I never tried anything with this dressing, but reading these comments will definitely give it a try!
love caeser salad. Will give this recipe a try!
We love using Marzetti Blue Cheese dressing as a dip for buffalo wings and a dressing for salads.
I would love to try this dressing on a chicken wrap with strawberries!
I just made slaw with marzetti, I love all their dressings
Sounds yum. Pasta sounds a nice twist.
I love avocado, so versatile and delicious. I use it in everything and everyday I find different recipes that I would’ve never paired avocado with. Can’t wait to try this one.
Great idea to use the avacado. Will be making this for sure.
Of course I will use it in salads and pasta salads! Also, I like to make my own crackers and by experimenting, I found you can add some dressing to the batter and it makes for very tasty cracker!!!
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/604733392811376640
This looks like a great salad. I’d like to make it and add some shredded carrots and some dried cranberries. Oh, and a few pecans or almonds.
I will be able to make a quick and easy lunch to take to work. Leaving me plenty of time with the family!
This would top my daily spinach salad.
I like to use it as a dip on the side. We also use it in salads.
This looks great! Thanks for this and thanks for the giveaway!
Would be good for marinating chicken.
I tweeted; https://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/604440314388946944
I would use these sauces to make fresh natural burritos for my family.
Marzetti Simply Dressed to make Veggie wraps
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/604380339755225088
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! The Ginger Sesame Noodles recipe looks amazing! I would love to try that!
http://www.marzettikitchens.com/kitchens/recipes/detail/172/ginger-sesame-noodles
your salad looks really delish. i may have to try this or a pasta salad
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/604049028901388288
i would use in a summer salad for a hot day
Marzetti Simply Dressed refrigerated salad dressings help make plain ole chicken into a dining experience and veggies into a treat!
I would try that recipe.
https://twitter.com/kkillgore/status/603991171086442496
tweet
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/603940523829755904
Id use this on a tomato and avocado side dish
https://twitter.com/smilekisses/status/603805776415727616
I would use this on my potato and macaroni salads.
Looks absolutely declicious!
I would like to try and make this salad. It looks delicious.
I would use Marzetti dressing to make a nice, fresh potatoe salad.
The caesar dressing makes a wonderful dip for baked chicken strips!
Salad always for me, love my salads! 🙂
This looks amazing. And just in time for summer. I can’t wait to try Marzetti Salad Dressing (I just hope we have it in Oregon) Seriously this looks heavenly and I am not even hungry right now 😉
My tweet https://twitter.com/AurelieRed/status/603141360959520768
I would use it in a fresh veggie salad, with walnuts, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots… yummy !
i would use the ranch in a bufallo chicken wrap
I would use it in a pasta salad.
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/dandidaffyhill/status/603026138248581121
I would use the dressing on some fresh spinach salad from the garden.
I’ll make your salad recipe the first time, then improvise the next time.
I would like to use it to make a chicken cesear salad
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/602662108841517058
This salad looks delicious. I would use Marzetti dressing on my grilled chicken salad.
i posted a tweet here:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/602635045187129344
we like eating salads during the summertime and would enjoy these salad dressings!
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/602572648921616384
I would love to make a fresh veggie salad and top it with their dressing!
I would love to use these dressings with fresh, seasonal produce and grilled chicken for the summer months!
Tweeted 🙂
https://twitter.com/CALLBR549/status/602375407472631808
Yum!!
Love their refrigerated dressings. I buy coleslaw dressing most often 🙂
My favorite, salad with ceaser dressing:)
I would use the use Marzetti® Simply Dressed® to make my chicken more flavorful and juicy and on my salads!
I am a sucker for anything pasta! Cannot wait to try this recipe.
I love Marzetti dressings! Proudly made in my home state of Ohio!
https://twitter.com/klp1965/status/602165758882361344
I would use this to make an asian beef salad
salad with dinner
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/601192706057052160
I would use their dressings as dip for veggies for my boys, and also as marinades for meat.
Hi Natasha, i want to make this salad but what if i don’t have Caesar dressing can i substitute it w/something else?
I would use one of these dressings to make a chicken salad.
kport207 at gmail dot com
I would use the Marzetti simply dressed dressings in my leafy green salads and of coarse this Caesar salad with pasta and avocado by Natasha! Yum!
I will make salad dressing and possibly put it in wraps! 🙂