There is something so delicious about a staple like a caesar salad! This Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad takes the everyday caesar and takes it up a notch! With protein from the tofu, and healthy carbs from the pasta, this caesar pasta salad has a little bit of everything to keep you full. Best part? The vegan caesar dressing from the HealthyGirl Kitchen is beyond creamy, 100% dairy free and so incredible!
Notes on Ingredients
Please take note that this is important information about the ingredients used in this recipe and the FULL recipe with measurements and details can be found DOWN BELOW (scroll to it) in the recipe card.
dinosaur kale – packed with essential vitamins that are great for your health. Even kale haters will love how it tastes in this salad!
cherry tomatoes – great for heart health and has nutrients to help your skin glow.
whole wheat pasta – You can use any pasta you’d like- I prefer whole wheat. It’s higher in protein and fiber.
vegan parmesan – to add a salty cheesy goodness. I use Violife vegan parmesan.
tofu (grilled or sautéed)- adds so much added protein to this salad.
How do you make Caesar Pasta Salad?
This Caesar pasta salad is only 5 easy steps!
- Cook your pasta.
- Break up your tofu into bite sized pieces and grill or saute it.
- Chop the kale and tomatoes.
- Add all ingredients to a bowl.
- Make the dressing and add to the salad.
Making the Tofu
1. Take the tofu out of the package and pat with a paper towel to take out any excess liquid.
2. Break apart the tofu with your hands to make the chunks look more chicken-like.
3. Grill or sauté the tofu chunks. Make sure to spray a little olive oil so it does not stick. You want the tofu to be nice and golden brown so it does not get soggy.
Commonly Asked Questions
- Does it matter what pasta I use? Nope! Pick any pasta that you have on hand or enjoy eating. Gluten free? No problem! Pick a gluten free pasta.
- What if I don’t have kale? While the kale truly makes this caesar pasta salad amazing, you can use any type of lettuce you’d like. Spinach could be great. Kale will hold up better for a meal prep situation though.
- Can I use this dressing on other things? Absolutely! You will find yourself making extra to add to other salads and wraps later in the week.
- Where can I find the dressing recipe? This recipe and so many other delicious ones can be found in my HealthyGirl Kitchen cookbook!
Extra Helpful Tips
- Cook the pasta and tofu first so they have time to cook and cool.
- Break apart the tofu with your hands to get the “crumble” look
- Rinse the pasta with cool water to help it cool quicker and keep from clumping together.
- Use a salad spinner to wash the kale.
More Easy Vegan Salad Recipes
How to Store
- Store extra kale for this Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad in the fridge wrapped in a paper towel to help keep it crisper for longer
- Store extra Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad in the fridge for 2-3 days
- If you have extra dressing, store in a mason jar or air tight container for up to a week.
Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad (Dairy Free!)
the ingredients
- 1 head dinosaur kale
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups cooked whole wheat pasta
- 1/2 cup shaved vegan parmesan
- 1 block high protein tofu
Dressing
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp capers
- 1 tbsp caper brine
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- pinch of pepper
instructions
- Cook and strain the pasta.
- Break apart the tofu and sauté or grill.
- Chop the kale and tomatoes.
- Add all ingredients to a bowl.
- Make the dressing.
- Toss and enjoy!
dressing
- Blend all the ingredients together in a blender until completely smooth.
