Crispy Club Sandwich Pasta Salad Recipe: A Refreshing Twist

Crafting a delightful club sandwich pasta salad brings unexpected culinary magic to your table.

Memories of classic deli favorites dance through this vibrant dish.

Fresh ingredients combine with zesty flavors that surprise and delight.

Crisp bacon, tender chicken, and juicy tomatoes create a perfect harmony of textures.

Creamy dressing weaves through perfectly cooked pasta, echoing the beloved sandwich’s spirit.

Quick to prepare and impossible to resist, you’ll want to make this recipe again and again.

Each bite promises a delicious adventure that transforms ordinary lunch into something extraordinary.

Pasta Salad That Tastes Like a Club Sandwich Bowl

• Quick Family Feast: Packed with layers of classic club sandwich flavors transformed into a convenient pasta salad.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Adaptable recipe that appeals to multiple taste preferences with protein-rich ingredients and creamy, tangy dressing.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Can be prepared in advance and stored in refrigerator, allowing flavors to intensify and saving precious meal preparation time.

Pasta Salad with Club Sandwich Style Ingredients

• Pasta: Classic base for the salad, choose short shapes like rotini or fusilli for better dressing coverage.
• Turkey, Chicken: Lean meats that add protein and mimic classic club sandwich flavors.
• Bacon: Provides crispy texture and smoky flavor characteristic of club sandwiches.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that adds richness and tang to the pasta salad.
• Tomatoes: Fresh and juicy, brings color and classic sandwich ingredient.
• Lettuce: Adds crisp texture and freshness to the salad.
• Red Onion: Sharp flavor that cuts through the creamy dressing.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that provides rich, smooth texture.
• Greek Yogurt: Adds tanginess and makes dressing lighter than pure mayonnaise.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides a subtle spicy kick and depth of flavor.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds brightness and balances the creamy dressing.
• Garlic Powder: Provides consistent garlic flavor throughout the salad.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste.

Pasta Salad Club Style Method

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Cook the pasta in a pot of salted boiling water until it reaches al dente texture.

Once cooked, quickly drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool down the pasta completely.

Step 2: Chop and Prep Ingredients

• Diced turkey
• Shredded chicken
• Crispy bacon bits
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Chopped tomatoes
• Chopped lettuce
• Finely sliced red onion

Step 3: Create Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Greek yogurt
• Dijon mustard
• Apple cider vinegar
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend until the dressing becomes smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Combine and Coat

Toss all the chopped ingredients with the cooled pasta in a large mixing bowl.

Pour the creamy dressing over the mixture and gently stir until every ingredient is evenly coated.

Step 5: Chill and Marinate

Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for at least one hour.

This resting time allows the flavors to mingle and develop a more robust taste profile.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Just before serving, sprinkle additional crispy bacon bits or fresh chopped herbs on top.

Serve the pasta salad chilled for a refreshing and satisfying meal.

Pasta Salad Tips That Turn Sandwiches into Sides

• Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least an hour before serving to let the dressing infuse every ingredient with delicious club sandwich tastes.
• Swap turkey or chicken with ham, roast beef, or plant-based protein alternatives to match dietary preferences or what's available in your kitchen.
• Add lettuce just before serving to maintain its crunchiness and prevent wilting from the creamy dressing.
• Make this salad a day in advance for even more developed flavors, storing separately in the refrigerator to keep ingredients fresh.
• Crisp the bacon separately and add just before serving to maintain its satisfying crunch and prevent soggy texture.

Store Club Sandwich Pasta Salad Properly

• Store leftover pasta salad in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep the salad cold to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Gently mix the pasta salad before serving, as ingredients might settle and separate during storage. This helps redistribute the dressing and ensures every bite is flavorful.
• Do not freeze this pasta salad, as mayonnaise and yogurt-based dressings can separate and become watery when thawed. Fresh ingredients like lettuce and tomatoes will lose their crisp texture.
• If the salad seems dry after refrigeration, add a small amount of fresh mayonnaise or Greek yogurt and stir to revive the creamy consistency and bring back the original flavor.

Club Sandwich Pasta Salad Complements

• Pair Perfectly with Crisp White Wine: Light, refreshing sauvignon blanc complements the creamy, tangy dressing and cuts through the richness of bacon and cheese.
• Serve Alongside Craft Beer: Hoppy pale ale balances the salad's creamy texture and enhances the smoky bacon flavors with its crisp, bitter notes.
• Create Summer Picnic Combo: Pack this pasta salad with chilled cucumber-mint lemonade for a refreshing, zesty drinking companion that brightens the entire meal.
• Add Crunchy Side Dish: Serve with homemade garlic herb croutons to provide extra texture and a complementary herbal crunch that elevates the sandwich-inspired pasta experience.

Club Sandwich Pasta Salad Ingredient Variations

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace turkey and chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh cubes. Add roasted chickpeas for extra protein and crunch.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Swap pasta with spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice. Use Greek yogurt-based dressing and add more vegetables for volume.
• Mediterranean Makeover: Incorporate feta cheese, kalamata olives, and fresh herbs like oregano. Replace mayonnaise with olive oil and lemon juice dressing.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of meat in this pasta salad?

Yes, you can easily swap turkey and chicken with ham, roast beef, or even plant-based protein alternatives to match your preference or dietary needs.

• Is this pasta salad healthy?

This dish offers a balanced mix of protein from meats, calcium from cheese, and vegetables. While delicious, it contains mayonnaise, so enjoy in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

• How long can the pasta salad stay fresh in the refrigerator?

The pasta salad will stay fresh for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a quick stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.

• Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! Preparing this salad a day in advance allows the flavors to develop and blend, making it even more delicious. Just keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.

Club Sandwich Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Packed with layers of flavor, club sandwich pasta salad delivers classic deli-style ingredients in a refreshing twist. Crisp bacon, tender chicken, and zesty dressing combine to create a satisfying meal you’ll crave for summer gatherings and quick lunches.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) rotini pasta
• 1/2 pound (227 grams) cooked turkey breast, diced
• 1/2 pound (227 grams) cooked chicken breast, diced
• 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

Dairy and Vegetables:

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta by boiling in salted water until al dente, following package guidelines. Immediately transfer to a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water to halt cooking and cool the pasta quickly.
2. While pasta cools, crisp the bacon in a skillet until golden brown and perfectly rendered. Drain on paper towels and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
3. Dice the turkey and chicken into uniform cubes, ensuring consistent size for balanced flavor distribution.
4. In a spacious mixing vessel, layer the chilled pasta with cubed meats, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, chopped lettuce, and thinly sliced red onion.
5. Create the creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and well-integrated.
6. Gently fold the dressing into the pasta mixture, ensuring each ingredient is evenly coated without breaking the delicate components.
7. Cover the salad and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
8. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and optionally garnish with additional crispy bacon bits or freshly chopped herbs for extra visual appeal and flavor complexity.
9. Serve chilled as a refreshing and hearty main course or side dish.

Notes

• Customize pasta type by using gluten-free or whole wheat options for dietary preferences.
• Swap mayo with Greek yogurt or vegan alternatives to reduce calories and accommodate different diet restrictions.
• Toast bacon until extra crispy for enhanced texture and maximize crunch factor in the salad.
• Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure balanced flavor distribution and professional presentation.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg