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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Dice the turkey and chicken into uniform cubes, ensuring consistent size for balanced flavor distribution.
- 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.
- 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.
- Gently fold the dressing into the pasta mixture, ensuring each ingredient is evenly coated without breaking the delicate components.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
- 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.
- 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