mains + sides/ pasta/ recipes

Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad

Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad | Well and Full | #vegan #recipe

This post was created in collaboration with Chickapea Pasta.

All opinions are my own, and I think Chickapea rocks!


If you’re vegan or vegetarian, you’ve probably been asked more than once where you get your protein from. My mom, for example, asks me if I’m getting enough protein every time I see her (cue eye roll)! But lately, I’ve been answering her – pasta. I’m getting it from pasta! She looked at me very dubiously, until I said, “It’s this pasta from Chickapea – it’s made from lentils and chickpeas!” Her eyes widened even more when I told her that one serving – just 3.5 ounces of prepared pasta – has 27 grams of protein. Plant-based foodies for the win!!

If you’ve been a longtime reader of this blog, you’ll know that I’m a chickpea enthusiast. Nearly all of my bowl and salad recipes contain chickpeas, and I even have wraps, soups, and hummus. So it was high time that I created a chickpea pasta recipe! Honestly, I really can’t say enough about this pasta. I know most people wouldn’t consider pasta a superfood, but this stuff is full of protein, fiber, iron, Vitamin B6, folate, and even Vitamin B12. What’s more, it’s vegan, gluten-free, and organic! The pasta comes in spirals, penne, and shells, but I personally think the spirals are best.

The spiral-shaped pasta is perfect for this vegan ranch pasta salad – the texture really locks in the flavor of the dressing! And I’m proud to report that this recipe is entirely made with whole foods – no dairy, no vegan mayo! But I wanted to mention a few notes about the recipe. Since this pasta salad is vegan, it’ll stand up to a warm picnic or potluck. However, if it’s going to be out for a bit, I would recommend adding the avocado at the last minute so that it doesn’t brown (although the lime juice will help with this). Or, you could omit it altogether and add another vegetable – 1 ½ cups of chopped cherry tomatoes would be delicious as well, or even some curly kale!

I hope you all love this recipe as much as I do! Cheers!


P.S. This recipe was updated in October 2018 with new photos! :)

Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad | Well and Full | #healthy #vegan #recipeVegan Ranch Pasta Salad | Well and Full | #healthy #vegan #recipe

Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad

This vegan ranch pasta salad is the perfect dish to bring to a barbecue or potluck! What's more, it's full of healthy, plant-based protein. Nutritious and delicious!
5 from 10 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

Pasta

  • 1 lb Chickapea Spirals Pasta

Vegan Ranch

  • 1/2 Cup Hemp Seeds
  • 1/2 Cup Water
  • 2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Juice from 1/2 a Lemon
  • 2 Cloves Garlic
  • 2 Tbs Chopped White or Yellow Onion
  • 1/2 Tsp Dried Parsley
  • 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt or more to taste
  • 1/8 Tsp Dried Dill

Chopped Avocado

  • 2 Avocados pitted and chopped
  • Juice from 1 Lime

The Rest of the Salad

  • 1 15 oz Can Black Beans rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 Red Onion diced

Instructions
 

Pasta

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add in the Chickapea spirals pasta, and cook according to package directions. When done, drain and rinse in cold water.

Vegan Ranch Dressing

  • While pasta is cooking, make your ranch dressing. In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend on high until smooth and creamy.
  • Be sure to taste and add any additional seasonings you like. I added in a little more salt and black pepper.

Chopped Avocado

  • Cut an avocado in half and remove the pit. Scoop out the avocado with a spoon, and then chop into 1/2 - 1/4 inch-sized pieces. 
  • In a bowl, toss the avocado with the juice of 1 lime - this will prevent the avocado from browning.

Red Onion and Black Beans

  • Finely dice 1/2 of a red onion, and set aside.
  • Drain your can of black beans, and rinse well until they're clean.

Putting It All Together

  • In a large bowl, add in cooked pasta, chopped avocado, diced red onion, and black beans. Drizzle everything with about 3/4 of the ranch, and mix well. 
  • Give it a quick taste, and decide if you want to use the rest of the dressing. I did, but you might like a lighter pasta salad.
  • This pasta salad is best when served immediately, but it can be put in the fridge for a few hours. Serve at room temperature.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

If this pasta salad isn't served immediately, wait to add the avocado until just before serving so it doesn't brown (although the lime juice will help with this). Or, feel free to sub in another vegetable like cherry tomatoes or kale. 

Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad | Well and Full | #vegan #recipe

P.S.

If you make this recipe and post it on Instagram, be sure to tag me @wellandfull and #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your takes on my recipes :)

27 Comments

  • Reply
    Michelle Higgins
    April 18, 2018 at 11:25 am

    5 stars
    Wow! Looks amazing, this will be a go
    To this summer for sure! Thank you.

    • Reply
      Sarah
      April 18, 2018 at 11:27 am

      Thanks so much for your kind words, Michelle! :)

  • Reply
    marcie
    April 18, 2018 at 12:02 pm

    5 stars
    What a beautiful wholesome pasta salad and I’m in love with that ranch!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      April 18, 2018 at 2:13 pm

      Thanks so much Marcie!! :)

  • Reply
    GiGi Eats
    April 18, 2018 at 12:20 pm

    I LOVE that you made ranch vegan!!!! THAT IS a feat in itself. My husband LOVES RANCH but the crappy crap stuff. I need to try and make this for him and see how he likes it!!! PS that avocado did me in!! ;)

    • Reply
      Sarah
      April 18, 2018 at 2:14 pm

      Thanks GiGi!! I love ranch too, and I think you guys will really like this version! :)

  • Reply
    Jenn Laughlin
    April 18, 2018 at 12:28 pm

    5 stars
    OH HECK YES! This looks phenomenal and I love that it features a creamy vegan ranch alllllll over this healthy chickpea lentil pasta – delicious and totally a must-try!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      April 18, 2018 at 2:14 pm

      Thanks so much Jenn!! :)

  • Reply
    dixya @food, pleasure, and health
    April 18, 2018 at 1:55 pm

    im a huge fan of chickpeas as well so seeing this lunch friendly one, im excited to give it a try soon.

    • Reply
      Sarah
      April 18, 2018 at 2:15 pm

      Chickpeas are the best!! Thanks Dixya :)

  • Reply
    Mahy
    April 18, 2018 at 4:32 pm

    5 stars
    Such a power boosting and comforting plate pf pasta love!! Love every bit of this recipe Sarah–I can NOT wait to make it!!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      April 21, 2018 at 8:48 am

      Thanks so much, Mahy! :)

  • Reply
    Kristen
    April 18, 2018 at 5:13 pm

    5 stars
    I’m so in love with this recipe! Everything is absolutely perfect. And Chickapea Pasta is amazing. So happy to see you’ve used it in here!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      April 21, 2018 at 8:49 am

      I totally agree with you about Chickapea pasta!! Thanks Kristen :)

  • Reply
    Michelle @ Sunkissed Kitchen
    April 18, 2018 at 6:17 pm

    5 stars
    Such a simple salad — I adore being able to get such a big hit of protein from pasta. My inner carb monster prefers pasta and veggies to a “square” meal!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      April 21, 2018 at 8:49 am

      I do the same thing for meals – and it’s so easy to get the protein from Chickapea! :)

  • Reply
    Tania
    April 18, 2018 at 9:07 pm

    5 stars
    I cannot think of healthier and tastier meals than this Pasta Salad! It is just perfect for the summer!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      April 21, 2018 at 8:49 am

      Thanks Tania!! :)

  • Reply
    nocrumbsleft
    April 19, 2018 at 1:12 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! What a great recipe!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      April 21, 2018 at 8:49 am

      Thank you!! :)

  • Reply
    Regina
    April 19, 2018 at 4:50 pm

    5 stars
    The protein amount per serving is amazing! This would make some very satisfying meal prep lunches too

    • Reply
      Sarah
      April 21, 2018 at 8:50 am

      I know, right?? And this would definitely be great for meal prep!

  • Reply
    Kristen
    May 1, 2018 at 4:59 pm

    5 stars
    This is delicious! Use a shortcut…Just Ranch made by Just Inc. Much faster and still non-GMO, GF, egg free, dairy free!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      May 2, 2018 at 10:20 am

      Hi Kristen, I’m so glad to hear you liked the recipe! I’ve never tried the ranch from that brand, I’ll have to give it a whirl! :)

  • Reply
    Lewis Johnson
    February 13, 2019 at 2:55 pm

    That looks great!

    • Reply
      Sarah
      February 13, 2019 at 6:35 pm

      Thank you! :)

  • Reply
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