This Club Sandwich Pasta Salad takes the familiar flavors of a classic club — bacon, turkey or chicken, crisp veggies and creamy dressing — and tosses them with pasta for an easy, bright salad. It’s crunchy, creamy, and slightly tangy, with smoky bacon and tender chicken in every bite. Serve it cold or at room temperature for picnics, potlucks, or quick weeknight meals.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
(Approximate per serving)
- Calories per serving: 500 kcal
- Protein: 20 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fat: 25 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
Why Make This Club Sandwich Pasta Salad
This salad gives you all the comforts of a club sandwich in a dish that’s easier to share and quicker to plate. It’s a great way to use leftover cooked chicken and bacon. The textures are satisfying — chewy pasta, crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy bacon — while the mayo-mustard dressing adds smooth, tangy flavor. It holds up well for lunches, picnics, or buffet tables, and tastes even better after the flavors rest for a bit.
How to Make Club Sandwich Pasta Salad
Making this salad is simple: cook pasta, chop your fresh ingredients, whisk a quick creamy dressing, then toss everything together. The key is to cool the pasta before dressing so the mayo doesn’t thin out. Taste and adjust seasoning at the end so the salad stays bright and balanced.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces pasta
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cooked chicken, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lettuce leaves for garnish
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Gather all ingredients. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, dice the cooked chicken, and crumble the cooked bacon. Measure the mayonnaise and mustard and have salt and pepper ready. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil for the pasta.
Step 2: Cooking
Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8–12 minutes for most shapes). Drain the pasta and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Drain well so the salad won’t be watery.
Step 3: Mixing
In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, crumbled bacon, diced chicken, halved tomatoes, and diced cucumber. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, a pinch of salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
Step 4: Finishing
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper as needed. Serve the salad on a bed of lettuce leaves for a classic club feel, or garnish with extra bacon or a sprig of parsley. Chill for 20–30 minutes if you prefer it cold; the flavors meld nicely after a short rest.
How to Serve Club Sandwich Pasta Salad
- Serve cold or at room temperature on a bed of crisp lettuce for a pretty presentation.
- Add additional garnishes like chopped green onions, sliced avocado, or extra bacon bits.
- Pair with iced tea, lemonade, or a light white wine. It’s ideal for potlucks, picnics, BBQs, or a quick family lunch.
How to Store Club Sandwich Pasta Salad
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Keep dressing mixed in; the salad holds best when chilled.
- Freezer: Not recommended — mayonnaise-based salads don’t freeze well and can separate.
- Tip: If you plan to store leftovers, reserve a little dressing and add it when serving to freshen the salad and avoid soggy pasta after long storage.
Expert Tips for Perfect Club Sandwich Pasta Salad
- Cook pasta al dente so it keeps a slight bite after chilling.
- Rinse the pasta under cold water to cool quickly and stop cooking.
- Use good-quality mayonnaise and Dijon or yellow mustard for a tangy balance.
- If you want lower fat, swap half the mayo for plain Greek yogurt for creaminess with more protein.
- Dice ingredients into similar sizes so every forkful has a balanced bite.
- Taste and adjust salt at the end; bacon adds salt, so go easy at first.
- Add fresh herbs (parsley, chives) for brightness just before serving.
Delicious Variations
- Classic Turkey Club: Replace the chicken with diced roasted turkey and add sliced avocado.
- BLT Pasta Salad: Omit chicken and double the bacon and tomatoes. Add a splash of lemon to the dressing.
- Lightened-Up Version: Use low-fat mayo or half mayo/half Greek yogurt and whole-wheat pasta.
- Mediterranean Twist: Swap bacon for chopped prosciutto, add olives, and use a lemon-herb vinaigrette instead of mayo.
- Spicy Club: Stir in 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce or 1/2 teaspoon cayenne to the dressing for heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can I use leftover chicken?
- Yes. Leftover cooked chicken works great. Dice it into small, even pieces so the salad mixes well and every bite has chicken.
-
Should I rinse the pasta with cold water?
- Yes. Rinsing stops the cooking and cools the pasta so the mayonnaise dressing won’t melt or become runny. Rinse briefly and drain well.
-
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
- You can make it a few hours ahead and keep it chilled. For best texture, make it the same day you plan to serve. If storing overnight, consider holding back a little dressing and toss just before serving.
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What pasta shape works best?
- Short shapes like rotini, farfalle, or penne hold dressing and mix well. Use what you have — small shells also work nicely.
-
How do I prevent the salad from getting soggy?
- Drain pasta well and cool it thoroughly. Cut vegetables into firm, bite-sized pieces and add dressing just before serving or keep some dressing aside and add it right before serving.
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Can I make this dairy-free or egg-free?
- Use an egg-free or vegan mayonnaise to make it egg-free. To make it dairy-free is simple since the recipe already has no dairy unless you choose yogurt substitutions; stick with mayo alternatives.
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How long will the salad keep in the fridge?
- Stored in an airtight container, it will stay good for 3–4 days. The texture may soften over time, so eat within that window.
Conclusion
This Club Sandwich Pasta Salad is an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe that brings smoky bacon, tender chicken, and crisp vegetables together with a creamy, tangy dressing. It’s perfect for lunches, quick dinners, or potlucks. For another take on a chicken club pasta-style salad and extra ideas, check out Chicken Club Pasta Salad – Craving Home Cooked (https://cravinghomecooked.com/chicken-club-pasta-salad/). Give this simple recipe a try — it’s fresh, satisfying, and feels like a club sandwich in every forkful.
Print
Club Sandwich Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A bright and easy salad that brings the flavors of a classic club sandwich together with pasta, making it a perfect dish for picnics and potlucks.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cooked chicken, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lettuce leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by halving cherry tomatoes, dicing cucumber and chicken, and crumbling bacon.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, bacon, chicken, tomatoes, and cucumber.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper. Pour over pasta mixture and toss gently to coat.
- Adjust seasoning and serve on a bed of lettuce. Chill for 20-30 minutes if desired.
Notes
This salad can be made a few hours in advance and stored, but it’s best served fresh. Reserve some dressing to add before serving if storing overnight.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2.5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
