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Easy Zesty Canned Goods Pasta Salad

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A quick, refreshing, and zesty pasta salad made with pantry-friendly canned goods and a bright homemade dressing. Perfect for casual meals and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
  • 1/2 cup olives, sliced (Kalamata or green olives)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz of pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, drain and rinse chickpeas. Drain and chop marinated artichoke hearts. Slice olives and halve cherry tomatoes if using. Finely dice red onion and chop fresh parsley.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and honey or maple syrup. Season with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Adjust sweetness or acidity to taste.
  4. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, chickpeas, artichokes, olives, tomatoes, onion, and parsley. Pour dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
  5. Let the salad rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature, stirring again before serving and adjusting seasoning if needed.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool. Whisk dressing vigorously to emulsify. Soak diced onion in cold water for 5 minutes if too sharp. Rinse canned goods well if salty. Salad tastes better after resting 30 minutes or overnight. Can substitute gluten-free pasta for gluten sensitivities. Optional add-ins include canned tuna, grilled chicken, or different canned beans.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, canned goods, quick meal, easy recipe, zesty dressing, chickpeas, artichokes, olives, vegetarian, vegan option

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/easy-zesty-canned-goods-pasta-salad-recipe-perfect-for-quick-meals/