Cooler dinner
A cold Caesar that tastes just-made even after an hour in the cooler.
Right before your kid digs in, you tip in the crisp romaine and croutons you kept on the side.
Suddenly a cup that rode in the cooler all evening tastes like it was tossed five minutes ago.
Ingredients
cooler chicken caesar pasta cups starts with the groceries below, plus a realistic about 25 minutes window.
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan
- 1 cup chopped romaine
- 1/2 cup croutons
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
How to Make It
Use the simplest way through cooler chicken caesar pasta cups, then add only the detail that helps kids eat.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until tender, about 9 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water until cool, then drain well.
- In a bowl, toss the cooled pasta and chicken with the Caesar dressing and parmesan. Season with the pepper.
- Divide the pasta among 4 lidded cups.
- Pack the romaine and croutons in separate small bags to add right before eating. Chill the cups until you pack the cooler.
Pack It Cold and Tidy
Caesar dressing and chicken both need to stay cold, so these cups ride on ice.
- Set the cups against two ice packs in an insulated bag
- Keep cold food at 40F or below, and do not leave it out longer than 2 hours
- Keep the lids on tight so nothing shifts in the cooler
What Stays Crisp (and What Gets Soggy)
Romaine and croutons go limp fast, so they wait outside the cup until the last minute.
- Pack the romaine in its own bag so it stays crisp
- Keep the croutons separate; they turn to mush once they hit the dressing
- Stir the lettuce and croutons in at the field for a fresh-tasting cup
- Serve with: a lemon wedge, cherry tomatoes
Parent Tip
Toss the pasta with dressing while it is slightly warm so it soaks in, then chill before packing.
Make It Fit Tonight
Small Tweaks That Help This Dinner Land
Add bacon bits
A sprinkle of crisp bacon makes the cup taste like a loaded Caesar.
Use grilled chicken strips
Sliced grilled chicken gives a smokier flavor and nice texture.
Swap in tortellini
Cheese tortellini makes the cup richer and a little more filling.
Make it lighter
Use half Caesar and half plain yogurt to lighten the dressing.
Add cherry tomatoes
Halved tomatoes bring color and a juicy pop to each bite.
Plan The Next Step
Plan the cold-cup nights
Use the planner to choose which evenings get a chilled cup and which need a warm jar.