Lemon Herb Chickpea Pasta (Print-Friendly)

Protein-packed chickpea pasta with crisp vegetables and zesty lemon herb dressing

# 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 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
07 - 2 tbsp 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 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
13 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Additions

14 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
15 - 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Cook the chickpea pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
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 olives.
06 - Chill for at least 15 minutes before serving for best flavor.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The chickpea pasta gives it a satisfying bite without leaving you feeling heavy and sluggish
  • You can make it ahead and it actually tastes better after the flavors hang out together
  • Its that rare dish that works equally well for a weekday lunch or fancy enough for guests
02 -
  • Chickpea pasta can go from perfectly cooked to falling apart fast, so set that timer and taste test a minute early
  • The salad needs time to hang out in the fridge, so never rush this step or serve it immediately
  • Adding the dressing to warm pasta helps it absorb better, so dont let the pasta get completely cold first
03 -
  • Toast some pine nuts or sunflower seeds and sprinkle them on top for added texture
  • Let the diced vegetables sit in the dressing for ten minutes before adding the pasta for extra flavor penetration
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