Description
Mediterranean-inspired cold chickpea pasta salad delivers fresh summer flavors with crisp vegetables and zesty herb dressing. Protein-packed chickpeas and al dente pasta create a delightful meal you’ll crave on warm days.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) chickpea pasta noodles
- 15 ounces (425 grams) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cucumber, cut into small pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
Creamy Base:
- ⅔ cup plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt (0%)
- 1 lemon, juiced (about 4 tablespoons)
Seasonings:
- 4 tablespoons dill, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in a large pot of salted water for 8-10 minutes until tender but firm, following the package guidelines for al dente preparation. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta quickly.
- While the pasta cools, prepare the creamy dressing by whisking together Greek yogurt, freshly squeezed lemon juice, finely chopped dill, and a pinch of sea salt in a small mixing bowl until smooth and well blended.
- Dice the red onion into fine, uniform pieces, slice the bell pepper into thin strips, and chop the cucumber into small, bite-sized cubes.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, gently combine the chickpeas, chopped vegetables, and prepared pasta, creating an even distribution of ingredients.
- Pour the prepared yogurt dressing over the pasta mixture, using a spatula to fold and coat all ingredients thoroughly, ensuring each component is evenly seasoned.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the dish to become thoroughly chilled.
- Before serving, give the salad a final gentle toss and garnish with additional fresh dill sprigs for an extra burst of herbal flavor. Store any remaining salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Chill the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and develop a refreshing taste.
- Perfect for meal prep, this salad stays crisp and delicious for 3-4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator.
- Customize the recipe by swapping herbs or adding roasted vegetables for extra depth and excitement.
- Protein-packed chickpeas make this a satisfying vegetarian dish that’s both nutritious and filling.
- Choose gluten-free pasta to easily transform this recipe into a celiac-friendly meal option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: None
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 15g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 5mg