Level up your pasta salad with this Kale Caesar Pasta Salad, a delicious twist on the classic Caesar packed with flavor and texture. Featuring crisp kale, navy beans, homemade everything bagel croutons, Parmesan cheese, and tangy Caesar dressing, this satisfying dish combines the best of both worlds – hearty pasta and Caesar salad.
BBQ season is the perfect time to make this kale Caesar pasta salad. Serve it on the side of grilled chicken tacos, or Blackstone smash burgers for a fun outdoor dinner.
I’ve been having fun dreaming up creative pasta salad recipes for this summer – they’re the perfect summer side dish. Try my latest one – creamy dill pickle pasta salad with a tangy dressing and chunks of pickle throughout.
I love that pasta salad is filling and easy to put together, and it’s fun to come up with different flavors to go with different meals.
While creating this recipe I knew I wanted kale and pasta and when I thought about using Caesar dressing to bring it all together, I knew I had to make croutons. Using a leftover everything bagel for croutons was such a win – they come out extra crispy, super flavorful (and quick!) in the air fryer.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for exact amounts.
- pasta: I used a shape called Mafalda Corta – it’s shaped like mini lasagna noodles and has ridges that help hold the dressing, giving more flavor per bite.
- beans: I like small white navy beans in this recipe for a creamy texture.
- kale: I use curly kale for this recipe and scrunching it or massaging it first helps make it easier to chew in this salad.
- onion: red onion adds a little bite to the salad, you can leave it out if you’re not a fan.
- cheese: shredded Parmesan is pretty typical in Caesar salad so that’s included here.
- croutons: bagel croutons add super crunch to this recipe!
- dressing: I just use a Caesar dressing I have on hand (I’m still perfecting my own recipe) – use your favorite!
Substitutions
- dressing: try ranch dressing or jalapeno ranch dressing for a spicier vibe!
- beans: try chickpeas or white kidney beans instead.
- pasta: any short shape with texture to hold the dressing will be good for this recipe. Try bowties or shells!
Massaging the kale first helps make it easier to eat.
Instructions
Prep Tips
Once the bagel croutons are done and cooled, this salad comes together in just a minute or two!
- Add the seasoned bagel cubes to an air fryer tray with the cheese.
- Air fry for about 6 minutes, or until deep golden brown. Let cool.
The croutons get crispier as they cool.
- Scrunch and massage the chopped kale to soften it a bit and make it easier to chew and digest.
- Add the drained and rinsed beans.
- Add the cooled pasta, along with the onion, and cheese.
- Pour the dressing on.
- Mix with tongs to evenly combine.
- Serve with croutons.
Tips for making pasta Caesar salad
- Mix it up! Try a different dressing like ranch or avocado cilantro.
- Bagels: Try different flavored bagels and seasoning mixes to customize the salad topping.
- Cook the pasta to al dente according to package instructions. This helps eliminate a soggy pasta salad. Make sure to drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking and cool the pasta.
What to serve with kale Caesar pasta salad
Serve your kale Caesar pasta salad as is for lunch or a light dinner or serve it with protein on the side. Add air fryer cumin chicken, air fryer chicken katsu, or a Blackstone smash burger during grilling season.
For a meatless Monday dinner, serve with extra veggies on the side like brown sugar brussels sprouts, roasted sesame broccoli, or roasted broccoli and carrots.
More Salad Recipes
Storage
Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Store the croutons separately at room temperature to keep them crispy.
FAQs
No, you can try spinach instead of kale if you’re not a huge fan of kale.
Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 8 oz pasta cooked, and cooled – I used Mafalda Corta
- 3 steams kale roughly torn
- 15 oz navy beans from 1 small can
- ¼ small red onion sliced
- ½ cup Caesar dressing
- Parmesan cheese, to taste
For the Croutons
- 1 large bagel
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prep the pasta: Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water to al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and rinse in cold water and set aside.
For the Croutons
- Split the bagel in half and cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Add the cubes to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat. Add the garlic powder and grated Parmesan cheese and toss to coat.
- Transfer to an air fryer tray, sprinkling any loose Parmesan on top.
- Air fry for 6-8, shaking twice, until deep gold brown.
- Let cool to room temperature before using or storing. They get crispier as they cool.
For the Salad
- Massage the kale in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients. Add the dressing and mix to evenly combine.
- Serve with croutons.
Video
Notes
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used. Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.
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