Cobb Pasta Salad

Cobb Pasta Salad combines your favorite salad ingredients with hearty bowtie pasta for an easy make-ahead meal. It all comes together with your choice of ranch or blue cheese dressing for a creamy, satisfying dish you’ll crave again and again. Once everything is prepped, you can assemble it in minutes!

Cobb Pasta Salad

I love a good Cobb salad as much as the next person. I mean, what’s not to love about crispy bacon, juicy chicken, and hard boiled eggs piled onto fresh lettuce and veggies??

Take it up a level by swapping the lettuce for bowtie pasta to make yourself an incredible chicken Cobb pasta salad!

It soaks in all that delicious dressing and makes it a much heartier meal.

Since it can be made ahead of time, it’s a great option for busy weeknights or dinner parties. And anytime I take it to a potluck, the bowl always comes home empty!

Craving more noodle-full versions of famous salads? Try my Green Goddess Pasta Salad, or enjoy this Antipasto Pasta Salad instead of the usual appetizer spread.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Pasta – I like using farfalle (the bowties are so cute), but any type of medium-sized pasta could be substituted — like penne or fusilli.
  
  You could even use elbow noodles for a Cobb macaroni salad!
  
• Meat – Chicken and bacon make this dish extra hearty and packed with protein.
  
  You can cook breast meat in the Instant Pot or air fryer, or simply use a rotisserie bird to save time.
  
  And I love cooking bacon in the oven because it’s hands-off and splatter-free.
  
• Eggs – Make perfect, easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs with my foolproof method.
  
• Veggies – You’ll need halved cherry tomatoes, chunks of avocado, and sliced green onions. Bell peppers and red onion would be tasty too!
  
• Cheese – Blue cheese crumbles are the magic ingredient, adding an irresistible salty tang. Feta is a great alternative if you find blue cheese too strong.
  
• Dressing – Ranch dressing is a perfect match for this Cobb pasta salad — try my homemade version!
  
  Or, opt for blue cheese dressing or a creamy vinaigrette instead.

Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Chicken Cobb Pasta Salad

• Rinse the pasta immediately after draining.

Cook the bowties to al dente according to the package directions — if they’re fully cooked, they’ll end up soggy once they soak up the dressing.

Then, drain and rinse under cold water. It stops the cooking process, cools them down, and prevents them from sticking together.

• Chop everything to a similar size.

This makes the dish easier to eat and guarantees you get a little bit of everything in each bite.

If you’ll be making a Cobb macaroni salad, chop the chicken a bit smaller and consider cutting the tomatoes into quarters.

You don’t want to cut everything too small or you’ll lose that great texture!

• Let it chill for at least an hour if possible.

To give the flavors time to meld together and create a more consistent temperature.

I’ll usually throw everything together in the morning or early afternoon so dinner is ready and waiting at the end of the day!

• Make it vegetarian.

Swap the chicken and bacon for black beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas — or a combination of your favorites!

Make Ahead Instructions

You can assemble chicken Cobb pasta salad up to a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator.

However, I recommend adding the avocado just before serving so it doesn’t turn brown. 

Stir in a little extra dressing just before serving — the noodles will soak most of it up, causing the dish to become a little dry.

Or, add the dressing with the avocado! The flavors won’t meld quite the same way, but your Cobb pasta salad will be just as delicious.

Prep Ahead

• Cook and chop chicken and bacon
• Boil, peel, and chop eggs
• Slice cherry tomatoes and green onion

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

• Large Pot and Strainer to cook and drain the pasta
• Quality Knives and a big solid Cutting Board make prepping a breeze and are well worth the investment.
• Large Bowl – For mixing and serving your Cobb pasta salad.
• Salad Tongs – These bamboo hands help to toss everything gently and are attractive enough for serving as well.

Chicken Cobb Pasta Salad Recipe FAQ

Storing Cobb Macaroni Salad

Leftovers will for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Store in an airtight container and stir in a little extra dressing before serving.

Don’t worry when the avocado turns brown — that happens when it’s exposed to air. It’s still safe to eat!

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Originally published May 2018, updated and republished March 2025

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