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Easy Mediterranean Chickpea Pasta Salad Recipe for Perfect Meal Prep

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A quick and easy Mediterranean chickpea pasta salad perfect for meal prep, combining tangy dressing, hearty chickpeas, fresh veggies, and creamy feta for a satisfying and flavorful dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) short pasta (fusilli or rotini works great)
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 9–11 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large bowl.
  2. Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas thoroughly under cold water. Let them drain well. Add the chickpeas directly to the pasta bowl.
  3. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, slice the Kalamata olives, and finely dice the red onion if using. Add all to the bowl with pasta and chickpeas.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  5. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly to combine all ingredients and coat evenly.
  6. Add ½ cup crumbled feta cheese last and fold it in carefully to keep some chunks intact.
  7. Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Rinse chickpeas to reduce sodium and canned flavor. Add dressing just before serving to avoid sogginess. Save some feta and fresh herbs for garnish. Adjust salt gradually due to salty ingredients like feta and olives. For vegan version, omit feta or use vegan cheese or nuts. Gluten-free pasta can be used as a substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mediterranean, chickpea, pasta salad, meal prep, easy recipe, healthy, vegetarian, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/easy-mediterranean-chickpea-pasta-salad-recipe-for-perfect-meal-prep/