Description
These Caesar Pasta Salad Cups are a delightful twist on the classic Caesar salad, served in convenient, bite-sized portions. Perfect for parties or as a light appetizer, these cups are packed with pasta, fresh vegetables, and the rich flavors of Caesar dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 8 oz short pasta such as rotini, penne, or farfalle
Salad:
- 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup seasoned croutons, roughly chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: grilled chicken, shrimp, or bacon bits for added protein
Serving:
- Mini phyllo shells or large lettuce leaves for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil pasta until al dente, drain, rinse, and let dry.
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, mix pasta, romaine, tomatoes, Parmesan, and dressing.
- Season and Toss: Add salt and pepper, toss to coat evenly.
- Assemble Cups: Spoon salad into shells or leaves to create individual cups.
- Final Touches: Top with croutons and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For make-ahead prep, store the pasta salad separately from the shells or lettuce and assemble just before serving to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling, Assembly
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 4.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
