Lemon Herb Chickpea Pasta Salad (Printer-friendly)

Light and protein-packed salad with chickpea pasta, fresh vegetables, herbs, and tangy lemon dressing. Perfect for summer 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

# How To Make It:

01 - Cook the chickpea pasta according to package directions. Drain thoroughly, rinse with cold water, and set aside to cool.
02 - In a large mixing 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 well emulsified.
04 - Add the cooled pasta to the vegetable mixture. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until all components are evenly coated.
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 meld and develop.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It keeps remarkably well for meal prep, actually tasting better on day two when the flavors really settle in
  • The chickpea pasta makes it substantial enough to be a meal, not just a side dish
02 -
  • Overcooked chickpea pasta turns gummy and falls apart, so watch it carefully and taste test frequently during those last few minutes
  • The salad needs that chilling time in the refrigerator or the pasta will drink up all the dressing before serving
03 -
  • Invest in a good microplane for the lemon zest to capture only the bright yellow outer layer, avoiding the bitter white pith beneath
  • Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad, adjusting the acidity or salt to your preference
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