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Mediterranean High Protein Pasta Salad No Mayo

A vibrant and nutritious pasta salad featuring fresh vegetables, chickpeas, and feta cheese, all dressed in olive oil and lemon juice—perfect for summer gatherings.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Healthy, Mediterranean
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Base Ingredients
  • 8 ounces whole wheat or chickpea pasta your choice
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • ½ medium red onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • ¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Dressing and Seasoning
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup fresh herbs (e.g., parsley or basil), chopped for added flavor

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
  2. While the pasta cools, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Toss them together in a large mixing bowl.
Mixing
  1. Add the halved Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and rinsed chickpeas to the veggie mix.
  2. Once the pasta is cooled, add it to the bowl with the vegetables and chickpeas.
Dressing and Serving
  1. Drizzle the olive oil and lemon juice over the salad. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and fresh herbs before gently tossing everything together until it’s evenly combined.
  2. For the best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Substitutions: Swap feta for crumbled goat cheese or add bell peppers for extra crunch. This salad tastes even better after marinating for a few hours, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully.