Lemon Herb Chickpea Pasta Salad (Print Page)

Protein-packed Mediterranean-style pasta with fresh herbs and zesty lemon dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz chickpea pasta

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large cucumber, diced
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/4 red onion, finely chopped

→ Fresh Herbs

05 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped

→ Dressing

08 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
09 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
10 - 1 garlic clove, minced
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Additions

14 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
15 - 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced

# Directions:

01 - Prepare chickpea pasta according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, fresh parsley, dill, and mint. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until fully emulsified and smooth.
04 - Add cooled pasta to the vegetable mixture. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - If using, fold in crumbled feta cheese and sliced kalamata olives. Mix gently to incorporate without mashing ingredients.
06 - Refrigerate salad for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The dressing comes together in seconds but tastes like something from a fancy deli
  • Chickpea pasta means you stay satisfied without that heavy carb coma afterward
  • It actually gets better as it sits, making it perfect for meal prep or make-ahead parties
02 -
  • Chickpea pasta can go from perfectly cooked to mushy fast, so set a timer for a minute less than the package suggests
  • The salad needs that chilling time for flavors to marry, but don't go longer than a few hours or the pasta starts absorbing all the dressing
  • Add delicate ingredients like fresh herbs right before serving if you're making this a day ahead
03 -
  • Toast some pine nuts or sunflower seeds and sprinkle them on top for amazing texture contrast
  • Use a vegetable peeler to shave thin ribbons of Parmesan over the top if serving non-dairy friends
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