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Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

Kale Caesar Pasta Salad with Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas

This Kale Caesar Pasta Salad balances health and heartiness with robust flavors and crunchy chickpeas, perfect for busy days and gatherings.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 1 pound Pasta Any shape such as penne or rotini
For the Salad
  • 4 cups Kale Chopped, can substitute with spinach or arugula
  • 1 can Chickpeas Drained and roasted
For the Dressing
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil Enhances flavor
  • 1/4 cup Tahini Dairy-free element
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice Freshly squeezed
  • 1 clove Garlic Minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
  • 2 tablespoons Nutritional Yeast For cheesy flavor
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese Optional for flavor
For Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika For roasted chickpeas
  • 1 teaspoon Salt To taste

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking sheet
  • blender
  • large pot
  • colander
  • Salad Bowl

Method
 

Roasting Chickpeas
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, and salt. Roast for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway.
Cooking Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
Preparing Dressing
  1. In a blender, combine olive oil, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, nutritional yeast, salt, and a splash of water. Blend until creamy, adjusting with more water if needed.
Combining Ingredients
  1. In a large salad bowl, combine chopped kale, cooked pasta, and roasted chickpeas. If using, sprinkle Parmesan and massage the kale for better flavor absorption.
Dressing Salad
  1. Pour the tahini Caesar dressing over the kale, pasta, and chickpeas. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
Serving
  1. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 12gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 750mgFiber: 8gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1500IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For best freshness, store salad and dressing separately if preparing ahead. Chickpeas should be completely dry before roasting for the best crunch.

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