Roasted Chickpea, Penne, & Kale Caesar Salad

Back in college I loved going to Cheddars (iykyk) for the chicken caesar pasta salad. It was my absolute favorite, but this is even better! Now that warmer temps are coming I’ve been craving fresh flavors and a big crunchy salad sounded delicious. I must say though… unless salads are loaded with all the toppings they don’t usually keep me satisfied for long! That’s why I love that there is penne pasta in this one. That with the addition of chickpeas helps keep me full a bit longer and adds great texture/flavor! I made my homemade Caesar dressing for this salad as well, it’s just my favorite. It has a base of plain Greek yogurt, mixed with the classic sardine paste, lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh shaved parmesan cheese. I know Caesar salads are typically served with romaine lettuce, but I really enjoy them with kale! Okay okay, I think you get it - lots of good ingredients. Hope you enjoy this recipe this summer!

Author: Leslie Bobo, RDN

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Roasted Chickpea, Penne, & Kale Caesar Salad

Roasted Chickpea, Penne, & Kale Caesar Salad is a delicious salad that combines penne pasta, roasted chickpeas, and fresh kale in a creamy Caesar dressing. The chickpeas are seasoned with spices and roasted to a crispy perfection. This salad is easy to make and perfect for a quick lunch or dinner!

Ingredients

Roasted Chickpeas

• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp coriander
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp coriander
• Dash of salt

Caesar Dressing

• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tsp anchovy paste
• 1 tsp stone ground mustard
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh shaved parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp water
• Dash of cracked black pepper

Salad Ingredients

• ~5 cups kale + drizzle of olive oil
• ~1 cup (measured when dry) penne pasta
• Fresh grated parmesan cheese for topping
• Cracked black pepper

Instructions

1. Bring pot of water to a boil and prepare pasta according to package instructions. Drain, drizzle with a little bit of olive oil to prevent sticking, and set aside.
2. For the chickpeas preheat the oven to 400°F. Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Transfer them to a kitchen towel and dry them.
3. Transfer chickpeas to a parchment lined baking sheet. Add olive oil and seasonings and mix well. Bake for 20 minutes, mix up, and then bake 7 more minutes.
4. For the dressing, place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
5. Wash and chop kale. Drizzle with a little bit of olive oil and add a dash of salt and massage the kale for about 30 seconds.
6. Finally, it's time to assemble the salad! Place the kale in a bowl, add pasta, dressing, chickpeas, parmesan cheese, and dash of cracked black pepper. Enjoy!

www.thegatheringpage.com/recipes/chickpea-penne-kale-caesar-salad

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