Lemon Herb Chickpea Pasta Salad (Printable Version)

A vibrant, protein-rich salad combining chickpea pasta with fresh vegetables, herbs, and bright lemon dressing for light, satisfying meals.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 - Cook the chickpea pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water, then set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped 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, sea salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
04 - Add the cooled pasta to the vegetable and herb mixture. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
05 - If desired, fold in the crumbled feta cheese and sliced kalamata olives.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to develop.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chickpea pasta stays perfectly al dente and never gets mushy, even the next day
  • Fresh herbs transform simple vegetables into something that tastes like summer
  • Everything can be prepped ahead so flavors actually get better with time
02 -
  • Rinse chickpea pasta thoroughly with cold water or it will continue cooking and become gummy
  • The salad needs at least 15 minutes of chilling time for flavors to meld, but it is even better after a few hours
  • Chop herbs right before adding them, they lose potency quickly once cut
03 -
  • Use a microplane for the garlic, it creates a smooth paste that distributes evenly
  • Let the dressed salad sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving if it has been refrigerated
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