Lemon Herb Chickpea Pasta Salad (Printable Version)

Protein-packed chickpea pasta with crisp vegetables and zesty lemon dressing for warm weather dining

# What You'll 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 and juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, sea 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 - Fold in crumbled feta cheese and sliced kalamata olives if desired, distributing throughout the salad.
06 - Refrigerate salad for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Its the kind of dish that actually gets better after a few hours in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep or potluck planning
  • The protein from chickpea pasta keeps you satisfied without that post-lunch carbohydrate slump Ive come to dread
02 -
  • Chickpea pasta can turn gummy if overcooked. Set a timer and trust it over the package instructions
  • The salad needs those fifteen minutes of resting time for the flavors to really marry, otherwise it tastes like pasta and vegetables rather than a cohesive dish
03 -
  • Taste the pasta salad after those fifteen minutes of resting. The flavors often settle and you might need another pinch of salt or squeeze of lemon to brighten it back up
  • If making this for a picnic, pack the dressing separately and toss everything together right before eating to keep the vegetables crisp
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