This Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad features a creamy, tangy vegan Caesar dressing, crisp romaine, and hearty pasta for a satisfying pasta salad ready in 15 minutes.
For a higher protein boost, use my recipe for a High-Protein Vegan Caesar Dressing Recipe made with silken tofu.
I love Caesar salad and pasta, so why not combine these two to create a delicious and easy Caesar pasta salad recipe? It makes a perfect side dish, is great for picnics or potlucks, and is a refreshing main dish for a light lunch.
This simple recipe is a variation of my popular Vegan Caesar Salad with a slightly different Caesar dressing. It is a favorite in my kitchen, especially when I’m looking to impress friends with something that’s both familiar and surprising.
Looking for more delicious salad recipes? Check out Buffalo Cauliflower Salad, Vegan Cobb Salad, Angel Hair Pasta Salad, and Asian Spicy Cucumber Salad.
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Why You'll Love This Pasta Recipe
- No one will guess that it is not a traditional Caesar salad.
- It is easy to prep this recipe for a convenient, grab-and-go meal for lunch or dinner, or for easy make-ahead entertaining.
- It can be made gluten-free simply by selecting the right pasta.
- This salad is simple to prepare with minimal cooking and readily available ingredients. It is convenient for busy days without sacrificing taste or quality.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need for this vegan pasta salad with a homemade Caesar dressing. It might seem like a lot, but the dressing ingredients come together easily, and the salad is just as simple.
Check the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Ingredients for Caesar dressing.
Ingredients for the pasta salad.
- Pasta: Pick a pasta that clings to creamy vegan Caesar dressing like fusilli or penne. For a healthier twist that doesn’t taste terrible, give Trader Joe's quinoa pasta a whirl. Not all healthy pastas are good, but this one is my favorite.
- Nutritional Yeast can be found in the baking aisle or with the seasonings in most major grocery stores. Amazon is also an option.
- Vegan Parmesan: Opt for a wedge of vegan Parmesan - it is a game-changer when compared to the pre-shredded variety. You can snag the Violife wedge at Whole Foods.
Variations
- To add protein to your Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad, consider including roasted chickpeas, marinated and baked tofu, seitan, or cooked lentils. You can also add a "chicken" plant-based alternative for a delicious 'chick'n' Caesar salad.
- Add minced red onions, shredded carrots, roasted bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, or artichoke hearts for extra flavor and texture.
- Add vegan bacon bits for a bacony and crunchy flavor.
- Swap the romaine lettuce for kale, arugula, spinach, or a combination of greens.
How To Make Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad
See the process in the pictures here. For detailed instructions, visit the recipe card below.
Step 1 - Cook Pasta: Boil until al dente, rinse to cool, and set aside.
Step 2 - Make Dressing: Blend the dressing ingredients - cashews, water, lemon juice, mustard, yeast, capers, garlic, salt, and pepper until creamy.
Step 3 - Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, toss lettuce, pasta, cherry tomatoes, Parmesan, and croutons with dressing.
Step 4 - Serve: Mix well and serve.
Top Tips
- Chop the romaine into bite-sized pieces for a better eating experience.
- Choose pasta shapes that won't let go of that dressing, like fusilli, rotini, and penne.
- Add at least one crunchy element to the salad, like toasted pine nuts, the suggested homemade croutons, or roasted chickpea croutons for crunch.
- Rinse the pasta under cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. This helps keep the pasta firm and the lettuce from wilting.
Serving Suggestions
- Caesar pasta salad is hearty enough to have as a main course or a side to 100% Biga Neapolitan Pizza.
- This salad pairs well with many vegan soups & stews.
- It's ideal for picnics as it can be easily transported and doesn't wilt easily, especially if you pack the dressing separately and toss it when ready to serve.
- Add it to a buffet or potluck spread where its familiar flavor and filling nature can appeal to a wide range of tastes.
- Serve as a side dish with vegan sandwiches or wraps like Chipotle Black Bean Burger, Vegan BLT Sandwich With Soy Curls, or Spicy Vegan Caesar Wrap With Baked Tofu.
Storage
- Keep the components of your Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad — pasta, dressing, and greens — in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator to maintain freshness for 3-4 days. It's still good if stored together, but it will maintain freshness better separately. I also like adding freshly squeezed lemon juice to brighten the flavor when I'm ready to eat.
- For easy meal prep, pre-cook the pasta and prepare the dressing, storing them separately and assembling them with fresh greens just before serving to ensure the best texture and flavor.
Storage Note
If you store the salad already mixed, the pasta may absorb some of the dressing, so consider adding extra dressing to keep it creamy and flavorful.
Recipe FAQS
Yes, you can cook the pasta and prepare the dressing beforehand. However, combining the ingredients before serving is best to maintain the best texture and freshness. The dressed salad can be stored in the refrigerator for a day or two, but the lettuce might wilt slightly.
Yes, to make this salad gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.
More Vegan Pasta Recipes You'll Love
Got a minute? Dive into the comments and rate Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad, and let me know how it turned out for you. Was it a hit? Any ingredients you added? I want to know if my directions were any good or if you plan to make it. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.
Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Caesar Dressing
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked in water for 4-6 hours and then drained
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons of water more as needed for blending
- 2 -3 tablespoons lemon juice juice of one large lemon
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon capers
- 3 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper adjust to taste
Salad
- 12 ounces penne or favorite pasta
- 1 head romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes halved
- ¼-1/2 cup vegan Parmesan cheese grated
- homemade croutons
Instructions
- Boil: Boil the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
- Blend: While the pasta cooks, combine the soaked and drained cashews, water, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, nutritional yeast, capers, garlic, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more water if needed to reach a dressing-like consistency. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble: In a large bowl, toss the chopped romaine lettuce with the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, and vegan Parmesan cheese. Pour over the dressing and mix until everything is well coated. Sprinkle with more vegan Parmesan and add croutons.
- Serve: Let the salad sit for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together, then serve as a main dish or a side.
Maddie says
This was great! Loved adding the pasta to the Caesar salad to make it more hearty. And the dressing tastes so much like the traditional. Thanks for sharing this.
Regi Pearce says
Hey Maddie! So glad you tried it and you stopped by the site again. It is really good - we eat it all the time since the kids often crave it. Thanks for commenting.