Description
Greek Pasta Salad with Chickpeas is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining fresh vegetables, protein-rich chickpeas, and savory smoked turkey bacon tossed in a tangy apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or colorful side, this Mediterranean-inspired salad features crisp textures and bright colors, making it an easy and refreshing recipe to enjoy year-round.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 2 cups short pasta (rotini or penne), cooked al dente
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 cucumber, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup plant-based feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Dressing
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar dressing (natural)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (natural)
- 1 tsp oregano (natural)
- 1/2 tsp natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in generously salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and keep it firm. Set aside to cool completely before mixing with other ingredients.
- Prepare the Vegetables and Bacon: Chop cucumbers, halve cherry tomatoes, thinly slice red onion, and roughly chop parsley. Cook smoked turkey bacon until crisp, then crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar dressing (natural), olive oil, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), minced garlic, oregano, and natural gelling agent until the dressing emulsifies slightly and clings to the back of a spoon.
- Combine All Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss together the cooled pasta, chickpeas, vegetables, crispy turkey bacon, Kalamata olives, and plant-based feta cheese. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, then gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the Greek Pasta Salad with Chickpeas for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully before serving.
Notes
- Use cold pasta to prevent sogginess and help the dressing stick better.
- Taste and adjust apple cider vinegar and olive oil ratios in the dressing to your preference for tanginess and richness.
- Use thin slices of red onion sparingly to avoid overpowering the salad.
- Rinse canned chickpeas thoroughly to remove excess starch or salt.
- Chill the salad before serving to enhance the mingling of flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Greek pasta salad, chickpeas salad, Mediterranean salad, plant-based feta, smoked turkey bacon salad, light lunch, healthy pasta salad