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High Protein Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

A refreshing and protein-packed pasta salad featuring dill pickles, Greek yogurt, and chickpeas, perfect for a light lunch or a side dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta Salad
  • 8 oz whole wheat pasta any shape, cooked according to package instructions
  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas drained and rinsed if canned
  • 1 cup dill pickles finely chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup red onion finely diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill chopped
For the Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt plain, unsweetened
  • 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp dill pickle juice from the pickle jar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. This ensures the pasta retains some firmness.
  2. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly.
Prepare the Salad Ingredients
  1. While the pasta is cooking, chop the dill pickles, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. This adds freshness and crunch to the salad.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chickpeas, chopped dill pickles, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, and chopped fresh dill.
Make the Dressing
  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, dill pickle juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth. This dressing is creamy and tangy, complementing the salad perfectly.
Combine Everything
  1. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the salad ingredients. Pour the dressing over the top.
  2. Using a spatula, gently toss everything together until well combined. This ensures that every ingredient is coated with the dressing.
Chill and Serve
  1. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This step enhances the overall taste.
  2. Serve chilled, garnished with extra dill if desired. Enjoy your protein-packed, flavorful pasta salad!

Notes

This pasta salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will deepen as it sits.