Have you ever wished you could eat your favorite sandwich with a fork? Well, get ready! I’ve taken all the classic flavors of a club sandwich and turned them into the most amazing pasta salad.

This club sandwich pasta salad has juicy chicken, crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a creamy ranch dressing that ties it all together. It’s the perfect dish for a summer picnic, a quick weeknight dinner, or your next potluck. Trust me, everyone will be asking for the recipe.

Why You’ll Love this Pasta Salad

Let’s be real, who doesn’t love a recipe that’s easy and a total crowd-pleaser? This pasta salad is the whole nine yards. It’s packed with protein from the chicken and bacon, so it’s super filling and satisfying.

Plus, you can make it ahead of time, which is a lifesaver on busy days. All the textures and flavors just work so well together. It’s creamy, crunchy, savory, and fresh all in one bite.

If you love a fun twist on a classic, try my Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad, or this amazing Dill Pickle Pasta Salad with Bacon.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here are the simple ingredients that bring this chicken club pasta salad to life. You can find the exact amounts on the recipe card below!

Uncooked Pasta: I like using penne, rotini, rigatoni, or shells.
Bacon: You’ll want this cooked nice and crispy, then crumbled up.
Chicken: Use cooked and chopped chicken; leftovers work perfectly here.
Cherry Tomatoes: These add a burst of sweet, juicy flavor when halved.
Cheddar Cheese: I cut mine into little ½-inch cubes for cheesy bites.
Celery: Two stalks, chopped up, give it a wonderful, fresh crunch.
Green Bell Pepper: A medium pepper adds a nice, crisp, and slightly sweet taste.
Ranch Dressing: You can use your favorite store-bought or homemade version.

How to Make Club Sandwich Pasta Salad

Putting this salad together is a piece of cake. Just follow these simple steps for a dish that will knock your socks off!

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

First, you’ll want to boil the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound of pasta and cook it according to the package directions until it’s al dente. Then, drain it and rinse with cold water.

Step 2: Prepare the Main Ingredients

While the pasta cooks, prepare the other ingredients. Chop up your 1 pound of cooked chicken, 2 stalks celery, and 1 medium green bell pepper. Crumble up 8 slices of cooked bacon and ½ pound cheddar cheese (cunt into ½-inch cubes).

Step 3: Mix It All Together

Now for the fun part! In a very large bowl, combine all your ingredients. Add the cooled pasta, chopped chicken, crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes, cubed cheese, celery, and green bell pepper. Give it all a gentle stir.

Step 4: Dress and Chill

Finally, pour the ranch dressing over everything. Add 1 ½ cups of ranch and toss until everything is nicely coated. If you like, stir in some chopped fresh parsley for color.

For the best flavor, cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour before you serve it. ENJOY!!!

Tips for the Best Pasta Salad

Want to make your pasta salad perfect? Here are a few of my favorite tips that always work for me.

Cook pasta al dente. This keeps the pasta from getting mushy when you add the dressing.
Cool your pasta. Make sure the pasta is completely cool before mixing to prevent wilting.
Use quality bacon. Good, thick-cut bacon adds the best crispy texture and smoky flavor.
Don’t overdress. Start with a little less dressing; you can always add more later on.
Chill before serving. This lets all the delicious flavors meld together for the best taste.
Add dressing later. If making ahead, add the dressing just before you plan to serve it.

Variations and Substitutions

Feel free to get creative with this recipe! It’s super easy to change things up based on what you have or what you love.

Try different meats. Swap the chicken for leftover turkey or even some chopped ham.
Change the cheese. Swiss cheese or provolone would also taste delicious in this salad.
Add some avocado. For extra creaminess, add one diced avocado right before you serve it.
Use another dressing. A creamy Caesar or even a zesty Italian dressing would be a great fit.
Sneak in more neggies: Chopped red onion or sliced cucumbers would add a wonderful extra crunch.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

I love making a big batch of this salad to have on hand. If you want to make it ahead of time, just mix all the ingredients together except for the dressing.

Store the salad mix in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing in a separate container. When you’re ready to eat, just pour the dressing over the salad, give it a good toss, and it’s ready to go!

If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. It might get a little dry, so you can add a splash more ranch dressing to freshen it up.

Recipe FAQs

What if I don’t have chicken?

No problem at all! You can use chopped turkey, ham, or even leave the meat out for a vegetarian version.

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! Any medium-sized pasta shape works well. Try using rotini, penne, or bow ties for a fun change.

How long does this pasta salad last in the fridge?

Your club sandwich pasta salad will stay fresh in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.

What to serve with club sandwich pasta salad?

This dish is a meal all on its own! But if you want a side, some yummy Homemade Cheesy Garlic Bread or a light Watermelon Cucumber Feta Salad would be perfect.

Why did my pasta salad get dry?

Pasta tends to soak up the dressing as it sits. Just add a little more ranch dressing and give it a good stir to make it creamy again.

Can I add hard-boiled eggs?

Yes, that sounds delicious! A couple of chopped hard-boiled eggs would be a great addition, kind of like in a Deviled Egg Pasta Salad.

What kind of ranch dressing is best?

You can use any kind you like! A thick, creamy store-bought ranch works great, or you can whip up your own homemade version.

Should I rinse the pasta after cooking?

Yes, for a cold pasta salad, you should rinse the pasta with cold water. This stops the cooking process and cools it down quickly.

Can I freeze this pasta salad?

I wouldn’t recommend freezing this one. The celery and tomatoes would get mushy, and the dressing might separate when it thaws.

Club Sandwich Pasta Salad

This recipe combines the classic flavors of a club sandwich into a delicious and easy pasta salad. It features tender chicken, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and a creamy ranch dressing, making it a perfect dish for any occasion.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Course Pasta, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 550 kcal

Ingredients

1 pound pasta (such as penne,rotini, rigatoni, or shells)
1 pound cooked chicken (chopped)
8 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
1/2 pound cheddar cheese (½-inch cubes)
2 stalks celery (chopped)
1 medium green bell pepper (chopped)
1 ½ cups ranch dressing
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool it down completely.
Combine Ingredients: In a very large bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped chicken, crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, cubed cheddar cheese, chopped celery, and chopped green bell pepper.
Dress the Salad: Pour the ranch dressing over all the ingredients in the bowl. Add the optional fresh parsley, if using. Gently toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated with dressing.
Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, cover the bowl and chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This allows the flavors to meld together before serving.

Notes

Using leftover rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver for this recipe.
For the best texture, don’t overcook your pasta. Cooking it al dente is key.
If making ahead, store the dressing separately and add it just before serving.
Feel free to add a little more or less dressing to suit your personal taste.
For extra flavor, try using a sharp cheddar cheese.

Club Sandwich Pasta Salad

Why You’ll Love this Pasta Salad

Ingredients You’ll Need