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Kale Caesar Pasta Salad taken with iphone 15 pro max --iw 2 --ar 4:5 --v 6.0 --raw

Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

This easy Kale Caesar Pasta Salad with roasted chickpeas and Parmesan is loaded with flavor and crunch! It's a great potluck choice and works very well for meal prep.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6 people
Calories 281 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Bowl Large

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients

  • 8 ounces gemelli pasta or any short pasta you like
  • 10 ounces green curly kale chopped
  • 15 ounces chickpeas rinsed and drained well
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for garnish
  • ¼ cup Caesar salad dressing your fave brand works just fine
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Instructions

  • Cook the gemelli pasta in your pressure cooker or stovetop until it's al dente. Don't forget to drain it once it's done and set aside so it doesn’t get mushy.
  • Toss the chopped kale and rinsed chickpeas into a big ole bowl with the pasta. Y'all wanna mix those veggies and beans right up.
  • Drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil and give it a good toss. This adds a slickness that helps everything blend better.
  • Sprinkle garlic salt and paprika over the mix then stir. This layers in that savory kick and a little smoky twist that you don't wanna miss.
  • Pour in your Caesar dressing bit by bit to coat all the ingredients enough for your taste. It helps the kale soften up and makes the salad creamy without mayo overload.
  • Mix in 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan and fresh lemon juice. The cheese melts slightly from the warmth, and lemon juice brightens everything up good.
  • Garnish the salad with a little extra Parmesan before serving for that final cheesy punch. Serve it right away or chill it if you like it colder.

Notes

Serve warm with sauce of choice.