Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 15 oz chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 8 oz bowtie pasta (about 3 cups dry)
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the bowtie pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Prepare salad ingredients: While the pasta is cooking, rinse and prepare the remaining ingredients including draining chickpeas, dicing red onion and cucumber, halving cherry tomatoes, crumbling feta cheese, and chopping fresh parsley.
- Drain and cool pasta: Once cooked, drain the pasta and immediately rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process and cool the pasta. Allow it to drain thoroughly in the colander to remove excess water.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl or mason jar, combine lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and salt. Stir or shake well until the dressing is emulsified and well combined.
- Toss the salad: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chickpeas, red onion, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber, and parsley. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to combine. Taste and add extra salt if needed.
- Serve: Serve the chickpea pasta salad immediately for best freshness and flavor, or refrigerate it until ready to eat.
Notes
- You can substitute bowtie pasta with penne or rotini if preferred.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or use a plant-based feta substitute.
- The salad can be refrigerated for up to 2 days; flavors will meld and intensify.
- Make sure to rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Adjust the salt in the dressing according to your taste preference and dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
