Description
A delicious and nutritious pasta salad packed with protein-rich ingredients, perfect for a quick lunch or as a side dish at dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 300 g (3 cups) whole-grain pasta
- 250 g (1.5 cups) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 200 g (1 cup) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 100 g (1 cup) mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 50 g (½ cup) black olives, sliced
- 60 ml (¼ cup) extra-virgin olive oil
- 30 ml (2 tablespoons) red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole-grain pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Drain and cool: Once the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander. Rinse with cold water for about 1 minute to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare the dressing: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, mozzarella, and black olives.
- Dress the salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss gently until everything is well coated.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately, or chill in the fridge for 30 minutes for better flavor.
Notes
This salad can be served as a main dish or as a side to grilled chicken or fish. It holds up well for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg