Description
Cool pasta meets classic sandwich vibes in this club sandwich pasta salad. Mediterranean flavors blend seamlessly with crispy bacon, tender chicken, and zesty dressing, creating a perfect summer meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 1/2 cups chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup turkey bacon, crumbled
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (rotini, bowtie, or penne)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1 avocado, diced
- Pickles, diced
- Fresh herbs (parsley or dill)
Dressing and Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until perfectly tender yet firm, following package guidelines for precise timing.
- Immediately drain pasta in a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water to halt cooking and cool down quickly.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together creamy mayonnaise, tangy sour cream, sharp Dijon mustard, zesty vinegar, aromatic garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth.
- Taste the dressing and fine-tune seasoning as needed, then refrigerate to allow flavors to develop.
- Grab a spacious mixing bowl and combine the cooled pasta with diced chicken, crispy crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, finely shredded lettuce, sharp cheddar cheese, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Gently fold ingredients together, ensuring even distribution without breaking pasta or crushing delicate components.
- Drizzle the chilled dressing over the salad and carefully fold until every ingredient is evenly and deliciously coated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify.
- Remove from refrigerator, give a final gentle toss, and serve cold for a refreshing and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Swap chicken with turkey for a leaner protein option that keeps the classic club sandwich flavor profile.
- Add crispy croutons just before serving to introduce a delightful crunch and textural contrast to the creamy pasta salad.
- Reduce mayonnaise and replace half with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier dressing that cuts down on calories without sacrificing taste.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and store separately to maintain freshness, combining components just before serving to prevent soggy lettuce and keep textures vibrant.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg