A super nutritious, light dish that provides you with 2 of your 5 a day: this Feta, Chickpea, and Pepper Pasta Salad is perfect for lunch or dinner.

Packed with protein from chickpeas and feta, with vegetables to give an added burst of sweetness and nutrients, this pasta salad is a delicious go-to that should be added to your weekly meal plan.

Quick and easy to make, this is the perfect meal to whip up after a busy day or to meal prep ahead of your week!

Serves: 2

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 25 mins

INGREDIENTS:

To make the Feta, Chickpea and Pepper Pasta Salad you need:

• 75g feta

• 120g chickpeas, drained

• ½ red pepper, sliced

• ½ yellow pepper, sliced

• ¼ red onion, sliced

• ¼ courgette, diced

• ½ tbsp oregano

• Salt and pepper

• 125g wholewheat penne pasta

• 1 large handful of rocket

• Low calorie oil spray

To make the dressing you need:

• ½ lemon, juiced

• ½ tbsp white wine vinegar

• ½ tsp Dijon mustard

• ½ tsp honey

• ¼ tsp garlic granules

• Salt and pepper, to taste

METHOD:

1. Preheat oven to 200c / 180c fan.

2. Add feta to the middle of a baking dish then surround with chickpeas, peppers, onion and courgette. Sprinkle over oregano and season with salt and pepper.

3. Spray generously with low calorie oil spray and bake for 20-25 minutes until the feta and chickpeas are golden and the vegetables are soft.

4. Whilst in the oven, cook pasta as per packet instructions. Drain and set side. Top tip – rinse pasta with cold water once drained to stop it from sticking together.

5. Whisk together the ingredients for the dressing and chill until ready to serve.

6. Add feta, vegetables, pasta, rocket and dressing to a bowl and toss to combine. Serve and enjoy!

Top tip – if you want to bulk the meal out with extra salad leaves add another handful of rocket or baby leaf salad.

Best eaten immediately but can be stored for 1-2 days in the fridge for an easy food prep.

Discover more quick and easy salads packed with protein: take a look at our healthy salad recipes!