This Cobb Pasta Salad is perfect when you want the yummy, filling flavors of a Cobb salad in a form that can be made ahead of time and served for so many occasions. This is a great pasta salad recipe to use for potlucks or for party appetizer ideas.
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Why You'll Love Cobb Salad Pasta Recipe
- Familiar flavors in one bowl: Bacon, blue cheese, ranch, avocado are tossed with pasta instead of greens.
- Perfect for make-ahead meals: Since this salad needs to chill, you can make it earlier in the day or even the night before.
- No soggy lettuce: While Cobb salad doesn't hold up well, this version is great for picnics and leftovers.
- Flexible: You can serve this as a side or a main dish.
- Minimal cooking: If you can boil pasta and eggs, you can make this.
Pasta Salad Recipes
Pasta salad recipes are always a great choice when you need an easy make-ahead meal. They work for busy nights, potlucks, or packing in lunches. Here are a few of my favorite pasta salad recipes:
- Best Ever Balsamic Pasta Salad Recipe
- Italian Tortellini Salad
- Weight Watchers Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes
- Weight Watchers Pasta Salad
Ingredients For Pasta Cobb Salad
- Bowtie pasta - This sturdy pasta holds the dressing well.
- Ranch dressing - Adds creaminess and a familiar flavor.
- Red onion - For color and crunch.
- Grape tomatoes - Juicy and sweet addition.
- Hard-boiled eggs - For protein and that classic Cobb salad texture.
- Blue cheese crumbles - Adds richness and tang.
- Avocado - Gives the salad a soft and creamy texture.
- Bacon - Brings saltiness and flavor.
Kitchen Tools For Cobb-Style Pasta Salad
To make this chilled Cobb Pasta Salad, you'll just need a few basic kitchen tools. A cutting board and sharp knife make it easy to prep the avocado, onion, and tomatoes.
Pots for boiling the pasta and a smaller one for the eggs. A colander is helpful for draining and cooling the pasta, and a large mixing bowl gives you plenty of space to toss everything together.
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How To Make This Easy Cobb Pasta Salad
1. Boil eggs: I always start with the eggs. Cover them in water, bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and cover. Let them sit 10 minutes, rinse with cold water, and peel when cool.
2. Cook the pasta: While the eggs rest, cook your bowtie pasta in salted boiling water.
3. Toss pasta with ranch: Place the drained pasta in a large bowl and toss with the ranch dressing to keep the pasta from sticking.
4. Chop the mix-ins: Dice red onion, slice the tomatoes, peel and chop the eggs, crumble the bacon, and cube the avocado last to keep it from browning.
5. Combine everything: Add all the toppings to the pasta bowl and gently mix until everything is combined.
6. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.
Tips For Cobb Pasta Salad
Tip 1: Want more protein? Add cooked chicken for a heartier meal.
Tip 2: Add the avocado right before serving if you're making it ahead to keep it from browning.
Tip 3: If your ranch is super thick, thin it with a splash of milk before tossing it with the pasta.
FAQs For Easy Pasta Salad with Eggs and Avocado
Any short pasta like rotini, penne, or shells works well. Just be sure to cook it al dente.
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving.
Yes, feta or shredded cheddar works. You can also just leave it out if you prefer.
Cobb Salad Recipes
Cobb salad recipes take the classic combo of bacon, eggs, avocado, and blue cheese and make them into something new and exciting. If you are looking for the bold flavors of a classic Cobb, look no further!
This Cobb Pasta Salad is a great way to get a hearty meal on the table with familiar ingredients. It's super helpful when you need to prepare food ahead of time, or you know the day will be busy. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
📖 Recipe
Cobb Pasta Salad
Video
Ingredients
- 16 oz bowtie pasta cooked al dente
- ¾ cup ranch dressing
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
- ½ cup red onion finely diced
- ¼ cup cooked bacon crumbled
- ⅓ cup blue cheese crumbles
- 3 hard-boiled eggs chopped
- 1 avocado diced
Instructions
- Place eggs in a pot of water, bring to a boil, then turn off heat. Cover and let sit 10 minutes. Rinse with cold water and peel.
- Boil bowtie pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta with ranch dressing. Add tomatoes, onion, bacon, blue cheese, eggs, and avocado. Toss gently to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Need it to be more filling? Add some cooked chicken to make it a full meal.
- Making it ahead? Wait to add the avocado until right before serving so it doesn't brown.
- If your ranch dressing is really thick, mix in a little milk to help it coat the pasta more easily.
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