Who says you need meat for a high-protein meal? Our vegetarian High-Protein Pasta Salad packs in the protein and fiber for a knockout dish that is sure to satisfy. We swapped out grain-based pasta for chickpea pasta and added whole chickpeas and fresh mozzarella pearls—all big contributors to the dish’s protein. Crunchy cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, briny roasted red peppers and pungent red onions are all mixed together in a heart-healthy vinaigrette for a dish that is as delicious as it is eye-catching. Keep reading for our expert tips on how to get the best results cooking your chickpea pasta, smart ingredient substitutions and more.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• Rinsing chickpea pasta with cold water after cooking helps remove excess starch, preventing it from becoming gummy or sticking together.
• We recommend simmering alternative pastas (like chickpea pasta), instead of boiling, which may cause it to break apart.
• Feel free to substitute other vegetables, like squash and broccoli. If you can’t find mozzarella pearls, cut a mozzarella ball into small pieces or replace it with feta.
• If your red onion is too strong, try soaking the sliced onion in cold water for about 15 minutes before adding it to the other ingredients.

Nutrition Notes

• This recipe gives you chickpeas in two ways: in the pasta and with whole chickpeas. You’ll get double the nutrition benefits from chickpeas, including protein, fiber, magnesium, potassium and iron. You’ll also get carbohydrates for energy for your active lifestyle. 
• Mozzarella pearls are bite-size balls of mozzarella cheese that can be packed with water or without. Mozzarella has a higher moisture content than hard cheeses. Because of this, it is lower in saturated fat and lower in sodium, making it a good choice for a heart-healthy diet. 
• Cherry tomatoes are a good year-round choice to ensure a juicy and sweet tomato. Tomatoes are packed with nutrients that help protect your heart, such as potassium, vitamin C and lycopene. They are also a hydrating fruit and low in calories and carbs, making them an excellent choice for many dietary patterns. 
• Red onions can be spicy or mild, and they provide nutrients that help fight inflammation, such as vitamin C, selenium and fiber. Onions have been studied for their health benefits in regulating blood pressure and blood sugar and cognitive health benefits.