Ingredients
Salad Base
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, quartered
- 1/2 small red onion, diced
- 1/2 medium cucumber, sliced and quartered
- 3 stalks scallions, thinly chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley, roughly chopped
- 2/3 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Dressing & Toppings
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup Joyful Balance Oil-Free Zesty Italian Dressing (or store-bought Italian dressing)
- Half a recipe of Joyful Balance Marinated Tofu Feta (or store-bought vegan feta)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and transfer it to the fridge to cool while you prepare the rest of the salad.
- Prepare the vegetables: In a large bowl, combine the quartered cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, diced red onion, sliced and quartered cucumber, chopped scallions, parsley, and rinsed chickpeas. Stir well to mix all the vegetables evenly.
- Combine pasta and salad ingredients: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the vegetables. If the pasta is still warm, chill longer so it doesn’t wilt the veggies. Pour in the Italian dressing and gently add the crumbled tofu feta last to prevent excessive crumbling. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing and tofu feta is evenly distributed.
- Chill and serve: You can serve the salad immediately or place it in the fridge for about an hour to allow flavors to meld and deepen. Enjoy chilled for the best taste.
Notes
- The salad can be made a few hours ahead, but it’s best enjoyed within 24 hours for freshness.
- Use gluten-free pasta if needed to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Substitute tofu feta with regular feta cheese if vegan is not required.
- The dressing quantity can be adjusted to taste; start with less and add more if preferred.
- Keep the pasta from getting mushy by draining well and chilling before combining with the vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegan
