Lemon Herb Chickpea Pasta Salad (Printable)

Protein-packed chickpea pasta with crisp vegetables and zesty lemon dressing for a light Mediterranean meal.

# 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 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
07 - 2 tbsp 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 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
13 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Additions

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

# How-To:

01 - Cook the chickpea pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, dill, and mint.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - Add the cooked, cooled pasta to the vegetables and herbs. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
05 - If desired, fold in the feta cheese and olives.
06 - Chill for at least 15 minutes before serving for best flavor.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The chickpea pasta actually holds up better than wheat pasta in dressings, getting more flavorful as it sits rather than turning mushy
  • Everything can be prepped ahead and tossed together at the last minute, making it the ultimate low stress contribution to any gathering
02 -
  • Chickpea pasta can go from perfectly cooked to falling apart alarmingly fast, so set your timer for the minimum recommended cooking time and taste test early
  • The salad actually improves after sitting for a few hours, so do not be afraid to make it in the morning for an evening gathering
03 -
  • Toast the chickpea pasta in a dry pan for a few minutes before boiling to enhance its nutty flavor
  • Double the dressing and save half separately to refresh leftovers the next day
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