• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Yummy Bowl
  • Home
  • RECIPES
    • Seasonal Recipes
    • Popular Recipes
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • Appetizers
    • Dinner
      • Vegan Dinner
      • Chicken
      • Beef
      • Fish
    • Soups
    • Breakfast
    • One-Pot & Casseroles
    • Sides
      • Salads
      • Potato
    • Pasta
    • Desserts
    • Other Categories
      • Sandwiches & Wraps
      • Dairy Free
      • Vegetarian
      • Drinks
      • Sauces, Condiments, Dips
  • About
    • About TYB
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
  • START A BLOG
  • SHOP
    • PRINTABLES
    • LIGHTROOM PRESETS
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    The Yummy Bowl » Recipes » Salads

    Mediterranean Pasta Salad With Chickpeas

    Jul 28, 2022 · Modified: Feb 21, 2023 by Julia | The Yummy Bowl · This post contains affiliate links · 1 Comment

    101 shares
    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    Skip To Recipe
    Mediterranean pasta Salad Pinterest

    Mediterranean Pasta Salad With Chickpeas is packed with fresh bold flavors, colorful pasta, chickpeas, fresh veggies, olives, and feta, and tossed with a simple homemade honey mustard salad dressing. The best Mediterranean flavors in one bowl. Gluten-free!

    This easy recipe makes a perfect side salad or a quick delicious lunch salad the next day. Just drizzle with more dressing or olive oil, and enjoy.

    Mediterranean pasta Salad

    ⭐ If you enjoy this pasta salad, you gonna love this Pasta Salad With Sausage and fulfilling Avocado Chickpea Salad.

    There is a skip-to-recipe button in the top left corner along with a clickable table of contents list (just below) that will quickly take you to the part you are more interested in. Enjoy!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Freezing And Storing Instructions
    • FAQ
    • Gluten Free Salad Recipes
    • Mediterranean Pasta Salad With Chickpeas

    Ingredients

    My few comments on the ingredients + don't forget to read the Tips section!

    The full recipe and ingredients can be found in the recipe card below this post.

    Mediterranean pasta Salad Ingredients
    • Tomatoes - cocktail, cherry, red vine, or plum tomatoes. Usually tomatoes with stems on are the most flavorful as they are beautifully ripe. A little trick, don't rush to remove the stems from your tomatoes. Keep them until the very end and cut off only when ready to add to the pasta salad. This way, they retain their flavor for longer.
    • Different Fresh Herbs - the essential ingredients that an authentic Mediterranean-style salad should consist of. Parsley, mint, and basil are one of the key elements for a refreshing salad. And you’ll need at least two of these (I used parsley and mint combo). Cut mint chiffonade or simply finely chop the leaves. Mix it into the dressing. Don't like mint? Substitute with fresh basil or cilantro.
    • A block of feta for creamy and fresh salty flavor rather than prepackaged cubes.
    • Cucumber - Dutch, English cucumber, and Persian cucumber (usually more expensive) are juicy and skin not bitter. They have thin skins which makes them great for salad.

    Instructions

    Cook pasta according to package directions. Once cooked, drain it and drizzle with olive oil, place the hot pasta aside to cool.

    cooked tri color fusilli in a fine mesh strainer

    Combine dressing ingredients in a bowl or mason jar.

    mediterranean pasta salad ingredients in a bowl with added dressing

    Once pasta is chilled, transfer to a mixing bowl, add the remaining ingredients and toss in the salad dressing. 

    Serve with more feta cheese and fresh herbs on top!

    mediterranean pasta salad ingredients in a bowl

    For best flavor, chill the salad in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving(without feta cheese, add this right before serving)

    Tips

    • Pasta - I used a mix of gluten-free pasta (spinach, red lentil, and corn/rice fusilli). Rotini pasta (basically a huge fusilli) is the most popular pasta type for cold salads as its texture allows the dressing to get stuck in nicely which gives the most flavor. Yum! Penne, Ditalini, or farfalle (bowties) or any other short and textured gluten free noodles (or any regular) are welcomed.
    • Have plenty of time? Make these pan-roasted chickpeas from my salad recipe. Your pasta salad has just been upgraded.
    • Don't overcook the pasta. This really makes sense. Cook the pasta until al dente, it will absorb the dressing so much better and not become soggy or mushy quickly. 
    • Essentially pasta salads are served cold, so be patient and don’t forget to chill your pasta once it’s cooked. If you have time, cook the pasta in the morning ahead of time. And when you have cooked the pasta and drained it from excess water, drizzle just a little olive oil (to prevent it from sticking) and stir until most of the pasta is covered. Keep in the fridge before use.
    • Be generous with seasoning the pasta. It really makes some difference in taste after. 
    • How to cook pasta quickly - spread out the cooked pasta on a baking dish separate from one another. Or simply cook the pasta a day or two before.
    • To make this salad more nutritious I recommend adding chopped toasted nuts (pine nuts, pecans, walnut, almonds). Just add your favorite ingredients!
    • How to toasted nuts: Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and bake in preheated oven to 350 Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes or until they become fragrant and golden brown. These will burn quickly so make sure to keep an eye on the nuts, especially during the last minutes.
    • More add-ons - Mediterranean cuisine consists of plenty of fresh vegetables, legumes and fish, yogurt and so much more. I like to make this salad with whatever veggies and Mediterranean ingredients I have in my kitchen at the moment. I'd outline here a few of my favorites: artichoke hearts, fresh arugula, black olives, goat cheese, celery, broccoli, squash, and zucchini.
    • Let the veggie pasta salad absorb all the flavors from the dressing. Chill for at least 15-30 minutes (just don't add feta yet). If the pasta was not overcooked (cooked until al dente), it will soak up just the right amount of the dressing without becoming soggy.
    Mediterranean pasta Salad In a bowl

    Serving Suggestions

    What goes well with pasta salad? We like to enjoy the pasta salad on its own or served as a side dish for:

    • any grilled chicken recipe
    • grilled salmon or tuna
    • burgers
    • Pork Chops or Pork Tenderloin
    • Barbecue chicken
    • Sandwiches, wraps
    • Fried foods such as fried chicken wings, drumsticks, thighs and etc
    • Corn on the cob either grilled, boiled, or baked in the oven
    • As an appetizer choice along with cheese boards, tapas
    Mediterranean pasta Salad In a bowl

    Freezing And Storing Instructions

    As it's a cold pasta salad, you can easily make it ahead by cooking the pasta 1-2 days in advance, chopping the veggies, making the dressing, and keeping everything separate in the fridge until ready to use.

    Keep the cold pasta salad refrigerated at all times and closed in an airtight container. For best flavor consume within 3 days.

    Pasta will continue to soak up the dressing as it sits. You’ll need to whip up extra dressing after day 1 or simply add a little bit oil and vinegar to refresh the flavors.

    FAQ

    Should you rinse pasta for pasta salad?

    No, we wouldn't recommend rinsing pasta for pasta salad at all. Never. Rinsing will remove the thick starch content that helps all the sauce to absorb better and make the best veggie pasta salad for your dinner. After cooking, as I mentioned before, drizzle the pasta with olive oil as it helps the noodles to stick to each other, stir to coat and keep in the fridge before ready to use.

    Which pasta is best for a salad?

    All the short noodle types are the best for pasta salads as they have all those little curves that help the creamy dressing to get stuck in them. Fusilli, farfalle, rotini, and penne are simply ideal for a cold pasta salad

    How do you cool pasta down for salad?

    If in a rush, you can easily chill your cooked pasta quickly. After cooking, remove the water by placing your noodles into a colander. Once drained transfer the whole colander with pasta into a large pot filled with ice-cold water and chill for a few minutes. Drain the water, drizzle with a small amount of olive oil, and store in the fridge before ready to use. Don't forget to cover it first!

    Gluten Free Salad Recipes

    ALL SALAD recipes

    • A simple and savory cold pasta salad made with just a few ingredients like tuna, olives, tomatoes, gluten free pasta and an easy salad dressing. Can be served hot or cold to fit any season!
      Easy Tuna Pasta Salad (No Mayo)
    • Cold Pasta Salad With Smoked Sausage-The Yummy Bowl
      Cold Pasta Salad With Smoked Sausage
    • Roasted Pumpkin Chickpea and feta salad - A Delicious bowl of salad loaded with Pumpkins, bell peppers, carrots, Chickpeas and salty Feta. All this goodness is dressed in Maple Chili Dressing to add that little extra touch. -The Yummy Bowl
      Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Chickpea and Feta
    • Chicken salad with strawberries and pecans
      Chicken Salad With Strawberries

    💗I hope you'll enjoy this Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe, please leave a rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo of your food and tag me on Instagram @theyummy_bowl. I love seeing your creations! 💗

    Thank you for reading,

    Love,

    Julia

    Mediterranean pasta Salad

    Mediterranean Pasta Salad With Chickpeas

    Mediterranean Pasta Salad With Chickpeas is packed with fresh bold flavors, colorful pasta, chickpeas, fresh veggies, olives, and feta, and tossed with a simple homemade honey mustard salad dressing. The best Mediterranean flavors in one bowl. Gluten free!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin
    Author: Julia | The Yummy Bowl
    Course: Salad
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4 dinner salad servings
    Calories: 757kcal

    INGREDIENTS

    • 1 small red onion sliced thin
    • ⅛ teaspoon red chili flakes
    • 10 oz gluten-free pasta see notes
    • ½ cup olives (kalamata olives, green olives) pitted
    • 2 bell peppers tricolor or sub with cooked artichokes, hearts of palm, roasted red peppers
    • 1 cup plum tomatoes sliced in half or quarters
    • 1 cup chickpeas try these roasted ones
    • 8 oz feta or as much as your heart desires

    Dressing

    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil of good quality, is a must
    • 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 3 tablespoon honey liquid
    • 2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar
    • Sea salt to taste
    • Black pepper to taste
    • red chili flakes to taste

    For Serving

    • Chili flakes
    • Fresh parsley basil
    • 1 cup cucumber english, persian, sliced

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • Cook pasta according to package directions. Once cooked, drain it and drizzle with olive oil, place the hot pasta aside to cool.
    • Combine dressing ingredients in a bowl or mason jar.
    • Once pasta is chilled, transfer to mixing bowl, add the remaining ingredients and toss in the salad dressing.
    • Serve with more feta cheese and fresh herbs on top!
    • For best flavor, chill the salad in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving(without feta cheese, add this right before serving)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    PRIVATE NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.
    Nutrition Facts
    Mediterranean Pasta Salad With Chickpeas
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
    Calories 757 Calories from Fat 270
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 30g46%
    Saturated Fat 10g63%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
    Monounsaturated Fat 12g
    Cholesterol 50mg17%
    Sodium 1001mg44%
    Potassium 743mg21%
    Carbohydrates 103g34%
    Fiber 6g25%
    Sugar 18g20%
    Protein 24g48%
    Vitamin A 2845IU57%
    Vitamin C 90mg109%
    Calcium 398mg40%
    Iron 4mg22%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    (Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

    « Twice Baked Sweet Potato With Bacon And Cheese
    Gigi Hadid Pasta Recipe (Spicy Vodka Pasta) »
    101 shares
    • Facebook
    • Yummly

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julia | The Yummy Bowl

      July 28, 2022 at 2:14 am

      5 stars
      This Mediterranean Pasta Salad is perfect for fulfilling Dinner Salad!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    the yummy bowl julia author

    I'm Julia and welcome to The Yummy Bowl. I share easy and healthy recipes for the whole family. Everything you see here is Gluten-free and mostly made with whole food ingredients. Hope you enjoy! Love, Julia

    More about me →

    Seasonal Favorites

    • Cranberry Orange Mini Loaves Breads (Gluten-Free)
      Cranberry Orange Mini Loaves Breads (Gluten-Free)
    • Ham And Potato Casserole Cornflakes
      Ham and Potato Casserole With Cornflakes
    • Whipped Sweet Potatoes with bacon
      Whipped Sweet Potatoes
    • apple pie filling in a glass jar
      Stovetop Apple Pie Filling
    • Cranberry Sauce With Mandarin Oranges in a bowl
      Cranberry Sauce With Mandarin Oranges
    • Almond Cranberry Tart (Gluten-Free, Vegan, Dairy-Free)
      Almond Cranberry Tart (Gluten-Free, Vegan, Dairy-Free)

    Readers Favorites

    • Easy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
      Easy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
    • Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
      Gluten Free Hash brown Breakfast Casserole (Farmer's Casserole)
    • Easy Mexican Slaw Recipe
    • Easy Breakfast Casserole With Bacon
      Easy Breakfast Casserole with Bacon (Breakfast Strata)
    • Unstuffed Cabbage Roll
      Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls With Rice (Lenivie Golubtsi)
    • cheesy and creamy potato au gratin in a white rectangular baking dish
      Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes

    Connect With Me

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Julia | The Yummy Bowl. Created with the Feast Plugin.