Description
This Cobb Pasta Salad is a delicious twist on the classic Cobb salad, incorporating rotini pasta with protein-packed ingredients like chicken, crispy bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and blue cheese. Combined with creamy ranch dressing and fresh veggies like avocado and cherry tomatoes, this salad is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for a satisfying meal or picnic dish.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz rotini pasta
Protein & Cheese
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- ½ cup blue cheese crumbles
Vegetables
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
Dressing
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely, then set aside.
- Prepare Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the diced cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, chopped hard-boiled eggs, diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded romaine lettuce, and blue cheese crumbles.
- Add Pasta: Once the pasta is cooled, add it to the large bowl with the combined salad ingredients.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing and mayonnaise until smooth and well blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad mixture and gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and keep the avocado fresh.
Notes
- Add avocado just before serving to prevent browning and maintain fresh texture.
- You can substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative.
- This salad is best served cold, making it perfect for potlucks and picnics.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
