Monday, June 20, 2011

Caesar Basil Pasta Salad

Don't you just love pasta salads? I don't know what it is about them, but if I see
 one at a potluck, I am on it faster than a fly on poop. 

Okay, uh, that wasn't the best analogy. First rule of food blogging: 
Do not mention poop on a food blog. 

Pasta just seems to call to that basic part of us that wants to be nourished. And this recipe does not disappoint. It is creamy without being heavy and the touch of basil brightens all the flavors and makes it so darn good.

I like to call this pasta salad my "New Mom, Potluck, New Neighbor, Work Celebration" Pasta Salad. Okay, okay, I don't really call it that but it is certainly my go-to pasta salad for all occasions.
Ingredients:
1 box (12 oz.) Tri Color Rotini Pasta
2 grilled chicken breasts, diced (optional)
2-3 Roma tomatoes, diced
1 can (2.25 oz.) sliced black olives, drained
1/2 Red Onion, diced (about 1/4 cup)
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
4 tbsp. Basil Pesto (Fresh or Jarred)
3/4 cup Creamy Caesar Dressing
2 teaspoons House seasoning (equal parts salt, pepper and garlic powder)
You can buy Basil Pesto already prepared to save time. 
It is usually found where the jarred pasta sauces are located.

Directions:
Cook and drain pasta according to package directions.
Pour pasta into a medium-large bowl.
Mix together Caesar dressing with Basil Pesto. Pour over warm pasta
 and coat throughly.
Add the rest of the ingredients and toss.
Cover and place into refrigerator until ready to eat.
Cook's Notes: If you're chicken breasts are very large, you can probably get away with only using one. Feel free to use whatever pasta your family prefers, you can go with regular or whole wheat. It all goes well with this recipe.

Also, you can really make this recipe as easy or as hard as you like. You can make your own Basil Pesto and your own Caesar Dressing to really dress this thing up. But if all you have time for is the bottled stuff, it will still turn out insanely good!
I love using grilled chicken breasts that have been marinated in this stuff right here. I usually grill a bunch of chicken. And then the leftovers get added to this pasta salad. Wowsers!

Enjoy!



Recipe source: modified from Mel's Kitchen Cafe
Posted by at

33 comments:

  1. This look great Brandie! I never get tired of pasta salad....or pasta in general! Great with the addition of chicken.

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  2. I love pasta salad and I'm always looking for new recipes...I can't wait to try this. Caesar is also a favorite of mine :)

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  3. I used to love pasta salad but lately I've been finding it too heavy and it makes me a bit queasy if I eat more than a few bites. Yours does look lighter and I just love the basil pesto!

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  4. It seems like pesto has become very popular. I have all the ingredients for this recipe, and I have company coming in a week. I think this will be placed on my table. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. I'm with you. If there is pasta salad I'm all over it. I'll go back for thirds without shame. I love the flavor play in this pasta salad. Yummy!

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  6. I always go for the pasta salad first too! And I usually go back for seconds, or eat my kids' leftovers. It's even better the next day. Love this recipe, and can't wait to try it.

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  7. Oh Brandie - this is right up my alley! Delicious recipe
    Mary

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  8. Pretty! And just perfect for summer!

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  9. Pesto in a pasta salad sounds wonderful.

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  10. Pesto + Caesar Dressing. Brilliant. That combination will go with so many things. I'm thinking avocados to start with...

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  11. Love this idea!!! I love pesto, and I love pasta salad!! Thank you for making my next pasta salad just that much better!

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  13. I love that I can make this and put it in the fridge until I am ready to eat. It is great on a hot day like today

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  14. Oh, boy, I love the sound of this pasta salad....mmmmmmm...might be part of my 4th picnic food!!

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  15. An award for you, http://servedupwithlove.blogspot.com/2011/06/diy-microwave-popcorn.html

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  16. Healthy and refreshing!
    Thanks for sharing, my mouth is salivating....

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  17. Looks like a winning combination!

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  18. I love pasta salad and this one sounds fabulous! I'll be making it soon :)

    P.S. Lovely blog! I found you through ServedUpWithLove...Congrats on the award!

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  19. Now that is my kind of pasta salad. Love everything about it. That is always my go to kind of basal pasta. Good, easy, already for me!

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  20. Brandie, This salad looks just wonderful and pasta salad is one of our favorites. I will definitely try this one. Thanks for sharing.

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  21. It's okay to mention poop as long as you follow up with something this yummy looking! Yum :)

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  22. I'm with you on the pasta salad, Brandie. Love them so much! And pesto pasta salad is by far my favorite. We always have multiple jars of that Classico pesto in the pantry for when the cravings hit...and that's often. I love how you've combined Caesar dressing with it. I have got to try that this week. Yum!

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  23. Hi Brandie, pasta salad is one of my favs...and this one with a Ceasar twist looks heavenly...can't wait to try it!

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  24. Brandie....Your food never seems to disappoint. This looks aaaamazing!!! I always love a good pasta salad. And I'm with you on the fly on poop thing...:)

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  25. This looks salad wonderful! I love the flavours in it, especially the combination of basil and Caesar dressing - yum! This would be perfect for a linky I co-hostcalled Let's Do Brunch. If you would like to visit, it is here
    http://21stcenturyhousewife.com/index/Blog/Entries/2011/6/22_Lets_Do_Brunch.html
    Hope to see you there!

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  26. This recipe I have to try soon! I love how you made it and pictures are so delicious looking!

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  27. This looks delicious! I would love it if you came over and linked up to Cast Party Wednesday. I have a great collection of recipes going and yours would be a PERFECT addition! http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com
    Thanks,
    I hope to see you there!

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  28. I love pasta salads, especially in the summer! Such a shame that pasta has come out of favor because of the low carb movement, but I have been using the protein and fiber-enriched kind and my family doesn't know the difference!

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  29. I've never ate pasta salad, but your recipe sounds great! I should put these ingredients on my grocery list!

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  30. Thank you for posting your "go to" pasta salad. I just made the sauce and I LOVE it. It's going to be hard not to eat all of pasta salad in one sitting. Would I be able to repost this recipe on my blog linking the full credit back to you?

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  31. Good pasta salads are hard to come by - this one looks great! I just pinned your recipe to my Pinterest site.

    Oh, and found you through Skip to my Lou!

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  32. Love this! Came from Julie's Eats & Treats Blog Hop! :)

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  33. LOVELY!!!
    Ty for this recipe :)

    Greetings from Holland

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