Chickpea & Feta Pasta Salad

Got lunchbox blues? I find it can be tough to come up with lunch ideas; especially ones that don’t take an exorbitant amount of time. This chickpea & feta pasta salad with pesto is a perfect example because it’s quick and easy.

With busy schedules, many of our clients wonder what they can prep ahead in order to they can grab and go during rushed mornings. In my newest blog, Reinvent Dinners into Unique Lunches, I share how to save time by swapping components of your dinner to create different lunches. One of the recipes featured was this Chickpea, Feta Pesto Pasta Salad.

I always loved a cold pasta salad because it’s fresh, simple and satisfying. If you find yourself fearing carbohydrates be sure to read: In Defence of Carbs: Stop the Hating. I explain why they are an important part of a healthy diet. On a different note, as we come into fall, you also might be wanting to use up your garden herbs and can make your own pesto using the Sunflower Seed Pesto recipe. On the other hand, store-bought pesto works in a pinch.

• Prep time:10-12 minutes
• Cook time:10-12 minutes (depends on type of pasta)
• Serves:4-6

Ingredients:

• 1 package of whole grain or gluten free pasta
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup of feta cheese, cubed
• ¼ cup of sunflower seeds, unsalted
• ¼ cup pesto (Sunflower seed pesto or store-bought)
• Lemon to squeeze on top

Garnish:¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

Directions for Chickpea & Feta Pasta Salad:

1. Firstly, cook pasta according to package directions usually for 8-12 minutes.
2. Transfer drained and cooked pasta into a large container with a seal. Allow pasta to cool before adding veggies.
3. When pasta is cooled, add tomatoes, feta cheese, sunflower seeds and pesto (recipe here if you want to make homemade pesto) or use store-bought.
4. Stir to combine all ingredients.
5. Finally, garnish with fresh basil and lemon.

Here’s a pic of my Nonno and Nonna. This is where the pasta love began! Click here to read more about Mastering a Love of Food.

Need more Lunch ideas?

• 3 Ways to Master Make-Ahead Lunches
• 15 Favourite Lunches Ready in 15 Minutes
• Top 7 Make-Ahead Lunches
• 10 ‘Plant-Based’ Back-to-School Lunches
• 3 Steps to Master Packed Lunches
• Healthy School Lunches Made Easy!

Chickpea & Feta Pasta Salad

Yield: 4-6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

This Chickpea & Feta Pasta Salad made with pesto is fresh, simple & satisfying!

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Ingredients

• 1 package of whole grain or gluten free pasta
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup of feta cheese, cubed
• ¼ cup of sunflower seeds, unsalted
• ¼ cup pesto (Sunflower seed pesto or store-bought)
• Lemon to squeeze on top
• Garnish: ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions usually for 8-12 minutes.
2. Transfer drained and cooked pasta into a large container with a seal. Allow pasta to cool before adding veggies.
3. When pasta is cooled, add tomatoes, feta cheese, sunflower seeds and pesto (recipe here if you want to make homemade pesto) or use store-bought. 
4. Stir to combine all ingredients.
5. Garnish with fresh basil and lemon.