Can I use a different type of pasta instead of farfalle pasta?

Yes, you can use any pasta shape you prefer. Penne, fusilli, or spaghetti would work well with this recipe.

Can I add meat to this recipe?

Absolutely! Grilled chicken, shrimp, or sausage would be delicious additions to this pasta dish. Simply cook the meat separately and toss it in with the pasta and other ingredients before serving.

Can I use a different cheese instead of ricotta?

Yes, you can substitute ricotta with crumbled feta, goat cheese, or grated Parmesan for a different flavour profile. Adjust the amount according to your taste preference.

What can I serve as a side dish with this pasta recipe?

A simple side salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables would complement this pasta dish nicely.

Lemon Chickpea Pasta Salad in 20 Minutes: Quick & Delicious

Name: Lemon Chickpea Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon Lemon zest, finely grated; 2 tablespoons Lemon juice, freshly squeezed; 2 cloves Garlic, peeled and crushed; 1 Long red chilli, halved lengthways, seeds discarded, thinly sliced; 1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil; 1 tablespoon of Honey, optional; Salt and pepper, to taste; 320g Farfalle; 800g canned Chick peas, rinsed and drained; 140g Spinach leaves, roughly chopped; ½ cup Basil, roughly chopped; Salt and pepper, to taste; 100g Ricotta, crumbled, for serving; Extra virgin olive oil, extra for drizzling

Ingredients

Units Scale

Lemon Chilli Dressing:

1 tablespoon Lemon zest, finely grated
2 tablespoons Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
2 cloves Garlic, peeled and crushed
1 Long red chilli, halved lengthways, seeds discarded, thinly sliced
1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon of Honey, optional
Salt and pepper, to taste

Pasta:

320g Farfalle
800g canned Chick peas, rinsed and drained
140g Spinach leaves, roughly chopped
1/2 cup Basil, roughly chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
100g Ricotta, crumbled, for serving
Extra virgin olive oil, extra for drizzling

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Instructions

Lemon Chilli Dressing:

Combine the minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and thinly sliced chilli in a medium sized bowl.
Slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify the dressing.
Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning with salt, black pepper, and honey if desired. Let it rest.

For the rest:

Cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking water, and keep pasta warm.
Meanwhile rinse the chickpeas and mix into the lemon chilli dressing. (See Note 1)
Mix the marinated chickpeas through the farfalle, adding pasta water to loosen the mixture a little at a time as required.
Toss through the spinach and basil, and then season. Serve immediately sprinkled with ricotta and drizzled with extra oil.

Notes

Marinate the chickpeas in the dressing for up to an hour – If you have a little extra time, this step will enhance the flavours.
Make the dressing and pour it over the chickpea mixture. Toss to ensure even coating. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for up to an hour, stirring halfway through to ensure thorough marination before adding to the pasta.

Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 10
Method: stove top
Cuisine: Mediterranean