Lemon Herb Chickpea Pasta Salad (Print View)

Protein-packed salad with chickpea pasta, fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and a vibrant lemon dressing. Ready in 25 minutes.

# Components:

→ 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

# Method:

01 - Cook the chickpea pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, 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, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - Add the cooked, cooled pasta to the vegetables and herbs. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
05 - If desired, fold in the feta cheese and kalamata olives.
06 - Chill for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you can decide what to watch on TV, and tastes better the next day when the flavors have had time to mingle.
  • The chickpea pasta keeps you full without that heavy, carb-crash feeling, and the lemon dressing wakes up every bite.
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta thoroughly after draining or it will clump together into one big starchy blob that no amount of dressing can save.
  • Don't add the feta until right before serving if you're making this ahead, or it gets too soft and loses its crumbly texture.
03 -
  • Let the dressing sit for five minutes before you toss it with the pasta so the garlic mellows out and the flavors marry together.
  • If the salad tastes flat after chilling, hit it with a pinch of salt and a squeeze of fresh lemon, it brings everything back to life.
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