The Club Sandwich Pasta Salad is a bold and satisfying dish that takes the classic sandwich flavors you know and love—smoky bacon, tender turkey, juicy tomatoes, and sharp cheddar and tosses them with perfectly cooked pasta in a creamy dressing.
It’s the ideal recipe for summer cookouts, quick lunches, or meal prepping for the week. This dish offers a crunchy, savory bite in every forkful and gives you the familiar comfort of a sandwich in a cool, refreshing pasta salad. It’s a great way to repurpose deli meats or leftovers and transform them into something both easy and delicious.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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12 oz rotini pasta
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1 cup cooked turkey breast, chopped
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
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1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
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1/2 cup chopped romaine lettuce
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1/3 cup mayonnaise
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1/4 cup sour cream
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1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
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1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
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Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions:
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Cook rotini pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water; set aside.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
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Add the cooked pasta, turkey, cherry tomatoes, bacon, red onion, and cheddar cheese to the bowl. Toss until well coated.
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Just before serving, fold in the chopped romaine lettuce to preserve crispness.
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Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
The Ultimate Club Sandwich Pasta Salad: A Comfort Food Classic Reimagined
If you’re a fan of the classic club sandwich and love the convenience of a good pasta salad, then this Club Sandwich Pasta Salad is about to become your next obsession. It’s the best of both worlds: creamy, tangy, savory, and packed with texture and flavor. Inspired by the layers of the iconic deli sandwich, this pasta salad combines rotini, turkey, bacon, cheddar cheese, fresh veggies, and a zesty mayo-based dressing that ties everything together. It’s easy to prepare, great for meal prep, and perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or weekday lunches.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just looking to spice up your weekly lunch prep, this hearty pasta salad is sure to deliver.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s something incredibly satisfying about a recipe that fuses two comfort food classics. The club sandwich is timeless—crunchy lettuce, juicy tomato, bacon, and turkey with a creamy spread. By transforming it into a pasta salad, you get all the same flavor notes but in a format that’s easier to serve, share, and store.
This dish is:
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Quick and easy to make – ready in under 30 minutes
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Customizable – you can swap meats, cheeses, and veggies to suit your preferences
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Perfect for make-ahead meals – it tastes even better after chilling
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Crowd-friendly – ideal for picnics, potlucks, BBQs, or buffet-style dinners
Flavor Profile: What to Expect in Every Bite
This salad is a symphony of flavors and textures. The tender rotini pasta acts as the perfect canvas to absorb the creamy dressing. The turkey provides a mild, lean protein, while crispy bacon adds smoky, salty depth. Sharp cheddar contributes a tangy creaminess, and the cherry tomatoes burst with natural sweetness and acidity. Thinly sliced red onions lend a gentle bite, and the fresh romaine adds a light crunch.
But the secret star? The dressing. A blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and red wine vinegar brings everything together with tang, creaminess, and just enough zing to balance the richness of the meats and cheese.
Ingredient Deep-Dive: How Each Component Adds to the Magic
Let’s break down the core ingredients and why they matter:
- Pasta
Rotini is a great choice for pasta salads because its spiral shape holds dressing well. You could also use fusilli, bowtie (farfalle), or penne depending on what you have on hand.
- Turkey
Cooked turkey breast, especially leftovers or deli-style is lean, mild, and adds satisfying protein. You could also use grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken as a substitute.
- Bacon
Bacon brings irresistible smokiness and a crispy texture that balances the soft pasta. Make sure to use freshly cooked and crumbled bacon for the best flavor.
- Cherry Tomatoes
These add a pop of color and juiciness. Grape tomatoes or diced larger tomatoes also work well.
- Cheddar Cheese
Sharp cheddar offers that classic sandwich taste with a creamy finish. You can cube it or shred it depending on your texture preference.
- Red Onion
Thin slices add a zesty kick that complements the creamy dressing. If you prefer a milder flavor, soak the onion slices in cold water for 10 minutes before adding them.
- Romaine Lettuce
Added at the end, romaine gives the salad its crunch and a fresh, leafy component reminiscent of a true club sandwich.
- Creamy Dressing
This is where it all comes together. The combination of mayo, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and red wine vinegar is bold, tangy, and creamy, everything a pasta salad dressing should be.
Delicious Variations to Try
This salad is very forgiving and can be personalized in a number of ways. Here are some ideas:
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Swap meats: Use grilled chicken, roast beef, or even crispy tofu for a vegetarian version.
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Add avocado: Sliced or cubed avocado adds richness and a silky texture.
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Mix up the cheese: Try pepper jack for heat, Swiss for tang, or mozzarella for a milder flavor.
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Make it low-carb: Use spiralized zucchini (zoodles) or a high-protein pasta substitute.
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Add a kick: Mix in chopped pickles, jalapeños, or a splash of hot sauce to the dressing.
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Boost the greens: Fold in baby spinach, arugula, or kale along with or in place of romaine.
Serving Suggestions
The Club Sandwich Pasta Salad is incredibly versatile in how it can be served:
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Lunch meal prep: Portion into containers and store for up to 4 days.
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Potluck or BBQ side dish: Serve chilled in a large bowl with extra bacon bits on top.
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Dinner entrée: Pair with soup or garlic bread for a heartier meal.
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Picnic food: Pack in a cooler for a refreshing outdoor lunch.
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Party platter: Serve alongside sliders, wraps, or cold cuts for a deli-style spread.
Want to impress guests? Garnish the top with chopped parsley, a few extra tomato halves, and a light drizzle of the dressing before serving.
Nutrition Tips
Here’s how to lighten it up or boost the nutrients:
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Lighten the dressing by using Greek yogurt in place of some or all of the sour cream.
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Use whole wheat pasta for added fiber.
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Increase the vegetables by doubling the tomatoes and romaine or adding diced cucumber, bell peppers, or shredded carrots.
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Reduce sodium by using low-sodium bacon and cheese, and salting only at the end if needed.
Per serving (rough estimate):
Calories: 420 | Protein: 20g | Carbs: 30g | Fat: 24g | Fiber: 2g
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This salad stores beautifully and actually tastes better after a few hours as the flavors meld. Here are a few tips:
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Refrigerate immediately after assembling. Store in an airtight container.
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Add lettuce just before serving to keep it crisp.
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Keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
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Do not freeze, as the creamy dressing and fresh vegetables won’t thaw well.
Conclusion
The Club Sandwich Pasta Salad is more than just a creative twist on a classic, it’s a reliable go-to for those who crave something hearty yet refreshing, creamy yet light, indulgent yet balanced. It delivers all the nostalgic flavors of a club sandwich with the ease and flair of a make-ahead pasta dish.
From summer barbecues to winter meal preps, this salad deserves a permanent spot in your rotation. With its rich textures, bold flavors, and customizable nature, it’s guaranteed to be a hit with everyone at the table, for kids, adults, picky eaters, and salad skeptics alike.
So grab your mixing bowl, boil up some pasta, and transform simple ingredients into a dish that feels gourmet without the fuss. One bite, and you’ll see why this recipe is a year-round winner.