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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad with Coffee Cake

moka coffee pot
A plant-based twist on classic Caesar pasta salad, paired with fluffy cinnamon-laced coffee cake—totally vegan, totally fabulous, and totally easy.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 430 kcal

Ingredients
  

Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad:

  • 2 cups cooked rotini pasta
  • 1/2 cup shredded romaine
  • 1/4 cup vegan Caesar dressing
  • 1 tbsp capers
  • 1/2 cup chickpeas roasted or canned
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Vegan Coffee Cake:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup plant milk oat or almond
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil melted
  • 1 tsp instant coffee
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions
 

For Caesar Pasta Salad:

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  • In a bowl, whisk together vegan Caesar dressing, lemon juice, garlic powder, and black pepper.
  • Toss cooked pasta with shredded romaine, chickpeas, capers, and dressing.
  • Sprinkle nutritional yeast on top like Parmesan’s sassier cousin.
  • Chill for 10 minutes or serve immediately if you’re impatient (we get it).

For Coffee Cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a small baking dish.
  • In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk plant milk, oil, vanilla, vinegar, and coffee powder.
  • Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth.
  • Pour into baking dish and spread evenly.
  • Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool slightly before slicing—unless you enjoy mouth burns.

Notes

Nutritional Values (Per Serving)

Calories: 430
Total Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Carbohydrates: 58g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 8g

Vitamins and Minerals (Per Serving)

  • Iron: 12%
  • Calcium: 10%
  • Folate: 18%
  • Vitamin B6: 9%
  • Magnesium: 11%

Additional Notes / Tips to Enhance Flavor

  • Add crushed garlic croutons on top of the salad for extra crunch and drama.
  • Use espresso powder in the cake if you want that serious coffee punch.
  • A splash of maple syrup in the dressing? Chef’s kiss.
  • Cake too plain? Add chopped walnuts or vegan chocolate chips for flair.
  • Leftovers? Store salad in fridge up to 2 days. Cake? Good luck not finishing it tonight.