Chickpea Pasta Salad with Feta Dressing

Pasta salad, a timeless classic, takes a delightful twist in this Chickpea Pasta Salad recipe. Perfect when you’re looking to feed a crowd, this dish is a vibrant, nutritious, and utterly delicious addition to your meal prep arsenal. It combines the hearty goodness of chickpeas with the freshness of Mediterranean flavours, creating a meal that’s as satisfying as it is healthy.

Why You’ll Love This Mediterranean Chickpea Pasta

• Chickpea Pasta Salad is not only scrumptious but also packed with nutrients, making it a perfect meal prep choice.
• Including a variety of vegetables like Red Onion, Cucumber, Cherry Tomatoes, and Bell Peppers ensures a burst of freshness in every forkful.
• This salad can be easily customized with additional proteins like Grilled Chicken for an extra protein punch.
• The combination of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar, and Lemon Juice in the dressing brings out a zesty and refreshing flavor. You can also make it creamy! Check out this post for the directions!
• Crumbled Feta Cheese adds a creamy texture and a tangy kick, elevating the salad’s overall taste.
• Don’t forget to garnish with Fresh Herbs like basil to add a final touch of Mediterranean flair to your Chickpea Pasta Salad.

Why I Love Adding Chickpeas To My Salads

1. Nutritional Boost: Chickpeas are a powerhouse of nutrition, rich in protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals such as iron, phosphorus, and B vitamins. Adding chickpeas to your salad not only makes it more filling but also enhances its nutritional profile, supporting overall health and digestion.
2. Texture and Flavor: The creamy texture and slightly nutty flavour of chickpeas add depth and complexity to salads. They absorb dressings and spices well, integrating beautifully with a variety of ingredients and enhancing the overall taste experience.
3. Versatility and Convenience: Chickpeas are incredibly versatile and can complement almost any salad recipe, from Mediterranean-inspired dishes to simple greens. Available both dried and canned, they are convenient to store and easy to prepare, making them an ideal ingredient for quick and nutritious meal options.

To learn more about all the important health benefits of incorporating Canadian-grown pulses into your diet and learn more about the Alberta pulse industry, visit https://albertapulse.com/eating-pulses/.

Looking for more pulse recipes? Check out https://albertapulse.com/recipe/

Ingredients in Chickpea Pasta Salad

For the Salad

• 450g of Dried Pasta (gluten-free or whole wheat pasta recommended)
• 1/2 Red Onion, diced
• 1 can of Chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 of Diced Cucumber
• 1 Red and 1 Yellow Pepper, diced
• 2 cups of Cherry Tomatoes, halved

For the Feta Dressing

• 1/2 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/4 cup of Red Wine Vinegar
• Juice of 1 Lemon
• 3 Minced Garlic Cloves
• 1 tsp of Dried Oregano
• 1/2 tsp of Dried Basil
• Pinch of Salt and Pepper
• 1/2 cup of Crumbled Feta Cheese

How To Make Pasta Salad With Chickpeas

1. Cook Pasta: Begin by cooking your pasta according to the package instructions. For a healthier twist, opt for gluten-free or whole-wheat pasta. Once cooked, rinse under cold water to cool and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
2. Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Stir in the crumbled feta cheese for that texture and tangy flavor. This salad dressing can also be made creamy! To do so, click here for the directions!
3. Combine the Salad: To the cooked pasta, add the diced red onion, chickpeas, cucumber, red and yellow peppers, and cherry tomatoes. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
4. Garnish and Serve: Garnish your Chickpea Pasta Salad with fresh herbs like basil for an extra pop of flavour. This salad is versatile enough to be served immediately or chilled for later, making it perfect for meal prep.

Why Is My Pasta Salad Dry

Pasta salad can turn out dry for a few reasons. The most common is that the pasta absorbs the dressing over time, especially if it’s made ahead or stored for a while. To prevent this, ensure your salad has enough dressing to begin with, and consider reserving some to add right before serving. Another factor could be overcooking the pasta, which makes it more absorbent and prone to drying out. Lastly, not incorporating enough juicy ingredients like tomatoes or cucumbers can also result in a drier texture.

To fix a dry pasta salad, try adding more dressing, a splash of olive oil, or lemon juice to moisten it up before serving.

How long can I store this Chickpea Pasta Salad?

Properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this salad can last up to 5 days, making it a fantastic meal prep option.

What to Serve With this Pasta Salad

1. Grilled Vegetable Skewers: Complement the Mediterranean vibes of the chickpea pasta salad with skewers of zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and red onions. The smoky flavour of the grilled vegetables pairs wonderfully with the fresh, vibrant taste of the salad.
2. Herb-Infused Focaccia Bread: Serve a side of warm, aromatic focaccia bread, brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with rosemary and sea salt. Its fluffy texture and rich flavour make it the perfect bread to sop up any leftover dressing.
3. Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken: Offer a protein-rich accompaniment with chicken breasts marinated in lemon, garlic, and herbs, then roasted to perfection. The citrusy, garlicky flavours echo those in the salad, creating a cohesive dining experience.

Other Salad Recipes You’ll Love

• Roasted Beet, Feta and Lentil Salad
• Creamy Lemon Pasta Salad with Asparagus
• Black Bean Cucumber and Feta Salad
• Easy Kale and Chickpea Salad

Conclusion

This Chickpea Pasta Salad recipe is more than just a dish; it’s a journey through the heart of Mediterranean cuisine, bringing a piece of culinary paradise right to your table. With its blend of fresh ingredients, protein-packed chickpeas, and a dressing that dances on your palate, it’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create a masterpiece. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a side dish for your next gathering, or a healthy meal prep option, this salad promises to deliver in taste, nutrition, and convenience. Dive into the world of Mediterranean flavors and let your taste buds rejoice in this delicious, vibrant salad!

FAQs

Can I use canned chickpeas for this recipe? Yes, canned chickpeas are perfect for this recipe. Just ensure they are drained and rinsed before adding them to your salad.

Is this pasta salad recipe gluten-free? It can be! Simply choose gluten-free pasta as your base to make this dish completely gluten-free.

Can I add meat to this salad? Absolutely! Grilled chicken or even chunks of grilled steak can make excellent protein-packed additions to this already nutritious salad.