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Easy Pantry-Only Pasta Salad Recipe with Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette for Quick Meals

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A quick and easy pantry-only pasta salad with a bright, zesty lemon vinaigrette, perfect for last-minute meals and meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) dry pasta (rotini or penne works great)
  • 1 can (15 oz/425g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup (75g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil)
  • 1/4 cup (35g) sliced black olives (optional)
  • 1/4 cup (15g) chopped fresh parsley or dried Italian herbs
  • 1/4 cup (30g) grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound (450g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and cool slightly.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon honey, and salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Add the warm pasta back into the bowl with the vinaigrette and toss gently but thoroughly to coat.
  5. Stir in 1 can drained chickpeas, 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, 1/4 cup sliced black olives, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley or dried Italian herbs.
  6. Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast over the salad and toss lightly to combine.
  7. Refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes to let flavors meld. Stir before serving. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Rinse pasta after draining to prevent mushiness and clumping. Toss pasta with vinaigrette while warm for better flavor absorption. Adjust salt carefully as olives and cheese add saltiness. For vegan version, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan and substitute honey with maple syrup or omit.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, pantry recipe, lemon vinaigrette, quick meal, easy pasta salad, chickpeas, vegetarian, vegan option

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/easy-pantry-only-pasta-salad-recipe-with-zesty-lemon-vinaigrette-for-quick-meals/