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Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

Crispy Kale Caesar Pasta Salad That's Perfect for Meal Prep

A satisfying Kale Caesar Pasta Salad with crispy roasted chickpeas, perfect for meal prep and packed with flavor.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz Pasta whole wheat or your favorite variety
For the Greens
  • 4 cups Kale chopped, can substitute with spinach or arugula
For the Crunch
  • 1 can Chickpeas rinsed and drained
For the Creaminess
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated, omit for vegan options
  • 1/4 cup Tahini or sunflower seed butter
For the Dressing
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil or avocado oil
  • 2 tbsp Lemon Juice or lime juice
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced, fresh garlic preferred
  • 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard any mustard variety can work
For Seasoning
  • to Salt & Pepper adjust to taste
For Extra Flavor
  • 1 tbsp Nutritional Yeast optional, offers a cheesy flavor
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika or regular paprika

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Blender
  • large pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Rinse and drain chickpeas, then pat them dry. Toss with olive oil, smoked paprika, and salt. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water.
  3. In a blender, combine olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, Dijon mustard, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth, adding water if needed.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, chopped kale, and Parmesan cheese. Add the roasted chickpeas.
  5. Pour the creamy dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are coated.
  6. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or Parmesan as desired. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 15gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 8gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

This salad is versatile and can be customized with different greens or proteins. Store the dressing separately for meal prep to maintain freshness.

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