This healthy Chickpea Pasta Salad is perfect to serve with picky eaters around and you'll get some extra protein. It's filled with fresh and creamy ingredients all tossed in a cheesy Italian dressing.
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About this Pasta Salad
In case you didn't get the memo, FRESH flavors are in for the summer! That's why I love this delicious and healthy Chickpea Pasta Salad.
It's got a little bit of everything—tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, avocado, feta and so much more—all mixed in with protein-filled chickpea pasta and tossed with a cheesy Italian dressing.
This pasta salad also steers clear of items like olives and beans that deter picky eaters, so you know it will be a hit at your next family gathering! It's great for potlucks, holidays, BBQs, and even picnics. Plus, it's also filled with plenty of vegetables to balance out your meal.
Enjoy this pasta salad for picky eaters as is or feel free to add a protein to bulk it up even more. Or if you're looking for more pasta salad recipes, also try this Italian Orzo Salad, this Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad, or this Feta Pesto Pasta Salad!
Recipe Ingredients
- Noodles: This Chickpea Pasta Salad uses CHICKPEA noodles for added protein. I used a box of Banza.
- Vegetables: Really any veggies you have on hand can go into this, but I used cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, avocado, and green onion and fresh basil.
- Feta Cheese: If you're new around here...my go-to cheese is feta. I love the creaminess and tang it adds to this pasta salad!
- Dressing: I used Trader Joe’s Italian Dressing with Romano Cheese.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make This Recipe
1. Start by preparing the noodles according to the box instructions. Then drain, rinse, and add to a large serving bowl.
2. While the noodles are cooking, prepare the fresh vegetables. Wash and finely dice the cucumber, grape tomatoes, red pepper, and green onion. Add to the pasta once noodles have cooled.
3. Slice the avocado into thin slices or cubes and julienne the basil leaves. Add to the pasta salad along with the feta cheese.
4. Drizzle on Italian dressing. Toss everything together and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Store this pasta salad in a container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You may notice your pasta salad drying out after a day or two. The noodles tend to soak up the dressing, which is totally fine! Just add a bit more before enjoying.
Also note that it's best to store the avocado separately if you're making this recipe for meal prep. The avocado will brown quickly in the pasta.
Finely chop all of the vegetables so you get all of them in each bite! I find this vegetable chopper from Amazon extremely helpful.
A classic rotini or elbow pasta is best because it holds dressing well. Avoid loose noodles like linguine or angel hair.
I think crispy chicken thighs, sizzly bacon, or marinated beef tenderloin pieces would taste amazing with this healthy pasta salad! Or keeping it vegetarian, add whole chickpeas as another textural element.
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Recipe
Chickpea Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 box Banza chickpea noodles, 8 oz
- 1 cup english cucumber
- ½ cup mini grape tomatoes
- ½ cup red pepper
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup diced green onion
- 1 avocado
- 8-10 basil leaves
- ⅓ cup Trader Joe’s Italian Dressing with Romano Cheese
Instructions
- Start by preparing the noodles according to the box instructions.
- While the noodles are cooking, prepare the fresh vegetables. Wash and finely dice the cucumber, grape tomatoes, red pepper, and green onion. Slice the avocado into thin slices or cubes and julienne the basil leaves.
- Once the noodles are cooked, strain and rinse with cold water. Place them in a salad bowl.
- Toss noodles with Italian dressing. Add cucumber, grape tomatoes, red pepper, feta cheese, green onion, and diced basil leaves to the noodles. Stir together.
- Garnish with more fresh ingredients if desired and enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you're using MyFitnessPal, search 'A Paige Of Positivity' and find Healthy Pasta Salad calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
Courtney Paige says
This recipe is refreshingly GOOD! And I love using chickpea noodles for extra protein.
Alysa says
Love a good Italian pasta salad!! So good with banza pasta!
Sydney Van Acker says
Made this as a clean out the fridge pasta salad with most of the ingredients in the recipe, substituting a few veggies and adding extra of what I had. It was DELISH and refreshing.
Rebecca says
Perfect summer pasta salad! Made it the night before and was delicious! Can’t wait to make it again all summer long.