Description
Pasta Avocado Chickpea Salad is a quick and healthy dish combining al dente pasta, creamy avocado, and protein-rich chickpeas, tossed with fresh vegetables and a light lemon-olive oil dressing. Perfect for lunch or as a side, it’s both nutritious and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup pasta (fusilli, rotini, or any short variety)
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas (or canned, rinsed and drained)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
Prepare the Vegetables:
- While the pasta cooks, dice the avocado, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper. Thinly slice the red onion.
Combine Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chickpeas, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion.
Make the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
Toss the Salad:
- Drizzle the dressing over the pasta mixture and gently toss everything together until well combined.
Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for 20-30 minutes for the flavors to meld.
Notes
- Customization: Feel free to add or substitute vegetables based on what you have on hand. Ingredients like spinach, arugula, or roasted vegetables can work well in this salad.
- Protein Boost: For extra protein, consider adding grilled chicken, tofu, or feta cheese.
- Make-Ahead Tip: This salad can be prepared in advance, but it’s best to add the avocado and dressing just before serving to avoid browning and sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Salad, Pasta
- Method: No-cook (for the most part; involves cooking pasta)
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg