Club Sandwich Pasta Salad
This ingenious fusion takes all the best parts of a classic club sandwich – turkey, ham, bacon, tomato – and transforms them into a hearty pasta salad. Perfect for meal prep, picnics, or family gatherings with the ideal balance of protein, carbs, and fresh vegetables.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Baking Sheet
- Large Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Pasta and Proteins
- 12 oz rotini pasta whole wheat or regular
- 8 oz deli turkey diced
- 8 oz ham diced, smoked ham adds extra flavor
- 8 slices bacon cooked crisp and crumbled
Fresh Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 large avocado diced
- 1/2 cup red onion finely diced
- 1 cup romaine lettuce chopped
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese cubed small
Dressing
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
- While the pasta cooks, lay bacon strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until crispy. Drain on paper towels, then crumble into bite-sized pieces once cooled.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder until smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced turkey, ham, crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cheddar cheese. Pour the dressing over the ingredients and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Just before serving, fold in the chopped romaine lettuce and diced avocado. Give everything one final gentle toss and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Notes
- Store the basic pasta salad (without lettuce and avocado) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Keep lettuce and avocado separate and add just before serving
- For meal prep, layer ingredients with dressing at the bottom and lettuce/tomatoes at the top
- Allow refrigerated pasta salad to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving for optimal flavor
- To avoid a soggy salad, don't overcook the pasta and thoroughly drain it before mixing with other ingredients
Nutrition
Calories: 385kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 22gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 850mgPotassium: 420mgFiber: 5gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 10mg
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