Description
Greek Pasta Salad with Chickpeas is a vibrant, fresh, and protein-packed salad that blends crisp vegetables, flavorful chickpeas, and smoky turkey bacon pieces, all tossed in a tangy apple cider vinegar dressing. This easy-to-prepare and customizable dish offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, delivering a bright Mediterranean experience ideal for any season.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 2 cups pasta (preferably fusilli or penne)
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
Vegetables and Add-ins
- 1 cup cucumber, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup plant-based feta, crumbled
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar dressing (natural)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Herbs and Garnishes
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta.
- Prepare the Veggies and Bacon: Chop cucumbers, halve cherry tomatoes, thinly slice red onions, and pit Kalamata olives. Cook smoked turkey bacon until crispy and chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar dressing (natural), olive oil, minced garlic, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Combine Everything: In a large bowl, gently toss the cooled pasta, chickpeas, vegetables, turkey bacon, and crumbled plant-based feta. Pour the dressing over and toss evenly to coat.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh oregano and parsley on top. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to preserve texture and avoid mushiness.
- Rinse pasta with cold water to cool quickly and prevent sticking.
- Use ripe cherry tomatoes for juicy bursts of flavor.
- Lightly toast fresh oregano or herbs to enhance aroma.
- Chill the salad before serving to let flavors develop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Greek pasta salad, chickpeas salad, Mediterranean salad, protein packed salad, easy pasta salad
