Pulses Pasta Salad
This delicious Canadian inspired pasta salad uses a variety of pulses and is tossed with a zesty homemade lemon maple Dijon dressing. Topped with goat cheese and pecans, this is the perfect backyard dish!
- Pulses
- Beans, Chickpeas, Lentils
- Prep Time
- 20 minutes
- Makes
- 8 servings
Nutrition
- Serving Size 1/8 of recipe
- Calories 429
- Fat 29 g
- Saturated Fat 6 g
- Cholesterol 22 mg
- Carbohydrate 29 g
- Fibre 5 g
- Sugars 5 g
- Protein 15 g
- Sodium 409 mg
- Potassium 399 mg
- Iron 2.6 mg
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) dry pasta or 3 cups (750 mL) cooked pasta (see tips)
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 bell pepper, any colour, diced
- 1/2 small red onion, diced or 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups (500 mL) fresh greens (see tips)
- 2 cups (500 mL) cooked pulses, drained & rinsed (see tips)
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) cooked, crumbled bacon
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) crumbled goat cheese
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped pecans
- salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) oil (see tips)
- 1 1/2 Tbsp (22 mL) maple syrup
- 1 tsp (5 mL) lemon zest
- 3 Tbsp (45 mL) lemon juice, plus more if desired
- 1 tsp (5 mL) Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp (2 mL) garlic powder, or 1 clove garlic, grated
- salt & black pepper, to taste
Lemon Maple Dijon Dressing
Directions
Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water. Transfer to a large salad bowl and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, make the salad dressing. In a separate small bowl or in a mason jar with lid, whisk or shake together the oil, maple syrup, lemon zest + juice, mustard, garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings and sweetness to your liking. Set aside.
Add the tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, greens, bacon and pulses to the salad bowl with the pasta. Pour most of the prepared dressing over the salad, saving some dressing for the top, and toss until everything is evenly coated. Add the goat cheese and pecans, and gently toss again.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired.
Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
Before serving, give the salad a final toss, adding reserved dressing if desired. Enjoy!
Tips
- Penne, rotini, fusilli, or farfalle pasta shapes work well in this recipe.
- Feel free to use your family favourite veggies – aim for 2 cups (500 mL) worth!
- Fresh greens include arugula, spring mix, chopped romaine, spinach, etc. whichever is your favourite!
- For the pulses, you can use a combo of chickpeas, lentils, black beans, great northern beans etc or whatever you have on hand!
- For the oil in the dressing, olive oil, grapeseed, canola or avocado will work.
Reviews [0]