Easy lunch time cold pasta salad recipe with banza pasta

Lunches are hard to break from what’s the normal cold cuts on bread. I love making this easy pasta salad (with chickpea pasta!) as a fun alternative to the normal lunch. It usually lasts us for a few days and I love adding different protein options depending on what I have in my fridge.

EASY LUNCH TIME COLD PASTA SALAD RECIPE WITH BANZA PASTA

Makes lunch for 4 people

Ingredients

• 1 lb banza pasta
• 1/2 red onion, thinly chopped (can use any onion on hand)
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup chopped olives (I used Spanish and kalamata)
• 1/4 cup dried craisons
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 3/4 cup white wine vinegar (or 1/2 cup for less tangy dressing)
• 1-2 tsp salt (depending on taste)
• 2 tsp dry oregano
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp fresh herbs to garnish (I used parsley)
• black pepper to taste
• charcuterie meats, sliced in thin strips (salami, proscuito, dry coppa etc. we had a prepackaged antipasto set of these from dietz & watson)

Instructions

1. Cook banza pasta as directed on box and then let cool.
2. Mix olive oil, vinegar, salt, oregano, sugar, fresh herbs and pepper until fully combined in a large bowl.
3. Chop red onion, tomatoes, and olives and mix in with dressing.
4. Add craisons to bowl and mix .
5. Add cooled pasta to dressing and veggie mixture and stir until combined.
6. Serve in bowls and top with fresh herbs and sliced charcuterie meats and enjoy!

That’s it! I can not tell you how satisfying this meal was for a lunch. I basically just looked in my fridge and pantry to see what ingredients I had readily available. You can call it a pantry salad if you add in more canned veggies, beans and tuna. You could also easily use whatever vegetable you have in your fridge and top with a hard boiled egg for added protein. The dressing is nice and tangy with the white vine vinegar.

Other quick and easy recipes:
INSTANT POT CHICKEN WITH RICE AND VEGETABLES
INSTANT POT SHREDDED CHICKEN TACOS
GUILT FREE BLUEBERRY LEMON BLENDER MUFFINS
INSTANT POT HARD BOILED EGGS