Description
This vegan Caesar Pasta Salad is savoury, tangy, and garlicky, featuring crunchy baked chickpeas, crisp romaine, and tender pasta for a satisfying plant-based twist.
Ingredients
- For the Baked Chickpeas (Crouton Substitute):
- 1 ½ cups canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- For the Vegan Caesar Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil
- ¼ cup tahini
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or roasted
- 2 teaspoons capers
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1–2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup water
- For the Salad:
- 8 ounces spiral pasta (rotini or fusilli)
- 1 ½ cups chopped romaine lettuce
- ½ cup cooked vegan bacon, chopped or crumbled
- ¼ cup vegan Parmesan shavings
- 1 cup baked chickpeas
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Pat the chickpeas very dry with a kitchen towel.
3. Toss chickpeas with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
4. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 25–30 minutes, shaking halfway, until crispy. Let cool.
5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
6. Cook pasta until al dente, about 8–10 minutes.
7. Drain and rinse pasta with cold water to cool, then set aside.
8. In a blender or food processor, combine oil, tahini, garlic, capers, nutritional yeast, mustard, lemon or lime juice, salt, and pepper.
9. Blend and gradually add water until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
10. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, chopped romaine, and vegan bacon.
11. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to coat.
12. Top with vegan Parmesan and baked chickpeas just before serving.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2–3 days.
Romaine may wilt over time; refresh with additional chopped lettuce before serving.
Add extra lemon juice for more tang or nutritional yeast for a cheesier flavor.
Baked chickpeas are best added just before serving to maintain crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 588
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1164mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 1mg