Vegan Chickpea Pasta Salad

Vegan Chickpea Pasta Salad is a refreshing and protein-packed dish. It is a gluten-free and dairy-free recipe. Make with simple items like chickpeas, pasta of your choice, vegan mayonnaise, and different spices. It is an easy-to-go dish. You can cook the Vegan Chickpea Pasta Salad without putting so much effort. This is a wholesome pasta salad perfect for summer picnics, potluck, vegan barbeque parties, holiday dinners, and date nights.

Equipment

• Pot for boiling pasta
• Mixing Bowl
• Spatula
• Knife
• Measuring cups- to measure the pasta and other ingredients
• Food processor

Ingredients

• Uncooked pasta 2 cups
• Can of Chickpeas 15ounces
• Diced Celery 1/4cup
• Red Onion 1/4cup
• Frozen Peas 1cup
• Chopped Fresh Dill 1tsp

Vegan Pasta Salad Dressing

• Vegan Mayonnaise 1cup
• Dijon Mustard 2tsps
• Lemon juice 2tbsps
• Old Bay 1/2tsp
• Salt 1/2tsp
• Pepper 1/2tsp
• Paprika 1/4 tsp

Recipe Ingredients

Notes

Chickpeas: It gives a high amount of protein. You can use fresh cooked, or store bough canned chickpeas at your easiness.
Celery: You can add carrots instead of this.
Dill: Add a little dill, which gives it a strong flavor. Different herbs also work well like oregano, parsley, or basil leaves.
Vegan Mayonnaise: It gives a wholesome flavor.
Paprika: Used to give a spicy touch to the salad.

Instructions

1. Add water with salt to a pot. Boil it over a high heat.
2. Reduce the heat from high to low. Add pasta and frozen peas to this boil water.
3. For 15-20 minutes simmer the pasta or until it is chewable and soft.
4. When the pasta is done, remove its extra water and set aside the pasta and peas.
5. Next, take a mixing bowl. Add canned chickpeas to this bowl.
6. Mash it with a food blender or a fork.
7. Cut onions and celery into slices with a knife.
8. Add onions and celery to this mixing bowl. Stir all ingredients.
9. Now, take another mixing bowl.
10. Add dressing ingredients like vegan mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, old bay,
11. pepper, and paprika to this bowl.
12. Mix well ingredients until a silky smooth texture forms.
13. Now, take a large dish. Add the peas and pasta, mashed chickpeas, salad dressing, and the last sprinkle of dill.
14. Combine all ingredients with a spatula.
15. Cool the pasta salad in the fridge for 10- 20 minutes and serve it.

Recipe Alternatives

1. Add diced jalapenos, red chili flakes, hot sauce, and cayenne to give a spicy taste to the salad.
2. Pickles, cucumbers, or bell peppers give a zesty and flavorful taste.
3. You can add nutritional yeast to give an umami flavor.
4. Instead of canned chickpeas, you can use white beans, artichokes, heart of palm, lima beans, and asparagus.
5. Replace the red onions with green and yellow onions.
6. Try it with frozen or fresh peas. Both give a beautiful green color to the salad.
7. Add colorful bell peppers like green, red, or yellow. It gives an appealing texture.
8. Wholegrain mustard will also complement this dish if Dijon mustard is unavailable.
9. Store-bought, or fresh lemon juice both work well with the salad.
10. You can use hummus or avocado-based dressings instead of vegan mayonnaise.

Notes

• Use your preferred pasta like medium shells, rotini, elbow, or farfalle.
• Mash the chickpeas with a fork, or spoon.
• Chop all vegetables in the same size

Storage information

In Advance Preparation: You can prepare the tasty pasta salad in advance one day before serving.
Refrigerator: Sealed the pasta salad in a tight plastic bag and refrigerate it for 3-4 days.
Freezer: This option is not recommended. Vegetables and mayonnaise are used to prepare this salad. They will be soggy if we store them in a freezer.
Reheating: Pasta salad is immediately served after making it.

FAQs

How do you enjoy the pasta salad?
Enjoy the pasta salad with fresh green beans, and chopped romaine. You can pair it with food items such as grilled corn, classic veggie burgers, BBQ Eggplant, Portobello mushroom steaks, grilled cabbage steaks, and veggie sandwiches.

What other vegetable options are available to prepare this salad?
You can try the amazing pasta salad by adding different vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, avocado, or carrots.

How can I make chickpea pasta salad without using mayonnaise?
Vegan mayonnaise is an important item in this dish because it plays a role as a binder. You can use dairy-free ranch dressing instead of mayonnaise. However, its taste and flavor will be slightly different than mayonnaise.

Is it a healthy pasta salad recipe?
Yes, it is a nutritious pasta salad packed with vitamins, protein, fiber, and other nutrients. All of these nutrients come from chickpeas and vegetables.

Nutritional Information

• Per Serving 1cup
• Total Calories 144kcal
• Carbohydrates 34g
• Protein 7g
• Fat 9g
• Fiber 5g
• Sugar 1.5g
• Sodium 525mg
• Iron 2mg