Cassie DeNisco

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Brussel Sprout Pasta Salad Recipe!

Summer for me is all about a good pasta salad. I live for it at BBQs and just weeknight dinners in general. Lately I’ve been trying to really use up all the produce in my fridge and I found myself making this Brussel Sprout Pasta Salad!

This combines some of my favorite summer flavors and does well on its own or as a side! You’ll be obsessed with the flavor combo once you give it a try!

brussel sprout pasta salad

Ingredients

1 can chickpeas rinsed and drained

7-8 Brussel sprouts thinly chopped

1 package cooked orzo

1 tsp oregano

diced walnuts

feta or parmesan cheese (I used vegan)

1 tsp parsley

1 tbsp lemon juice

salt & pepper

1/2 cup olive oil

Directions

  1. Sauté your Brussel sprouts in a pan with a drop of olive oil. You just want them to be soft and not too crispy!
  2. Assemble the dressing by combining olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, parsley, and salt & pepper. Mix well and set aside.
  3. Mix together the cooked orzo, Brussel sprouts, and chickpeas then add in the dressing and mix well.
  4. Garnish with diced walnuts and cheese!

This is the most delicious pasta salad. It gives you a little more than a normal one would with the protein from the chickpeas and nuts and then the greens from the Brussel sprouts.

I also love the light dressing. Sometimes people get a little too crazy with the flavors and I’ve found this really compliments these well! If you loved this recipe, you can check out my others here! You can also follow me on pinterest @cassiedenisco for more recipes!!

My Chickpea Orzo Salad Recipe!

I definitely have summer on my mind after these really cold days! There’s truly nothing I love more than a pasta salad in the summer so this recipe is getting me in my feels. I turned chickpea orzo salad recipe into a summer staple and really it became and instant hit.

Pasta salads can get really receptive and seem all the same after awhile but this one pairs chickpeas with a lemon vinaigrette and is just so yummy! You could even turn this into a meal and just pair some protein like grilled chicken with it on top!

chickpea orzo salad

Ingredients

1 lb orzo

1 can chickpea

1/2 red onion diced finely

2 tomatoes diced

2-3 mini cucumbers diced finely

1 tbsp nutritional yeast

1 tsp basil

1/4 c olive oil

juice from 1 full lemon

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp fresh minced garlic

1 tsp oregano

salt & pepper

red pepper flakes

Directions

  1. Cook orzo according to package. Once cooked, drain and then put in a big bowl.
  2. Mix in chickpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, nutritional yeast, basil & parsley.
  3. Assemble vinaigrette by wishing together olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic, garlic, oregano & salt + pepper.
  4. Combine bowl with dressing and mix thoroughly. Let cool and serve with red pepper flakes on top!

I love a good pasta salad and this chickpea orzo salad is delicious! Its so refreshing with the lemon juice in the dressing! The protein from the chickpeas helps to elevate this and make it even more filling!

Let me know if you loved this recipe and check out more recipes from me here! Be sure to follow me on Pinterest @cassiedenisco for even more content!

My Italian Pasta Salad Recipe!

It wouldn’t be summer without a pasta salad recipe on the blog! Last year I shared a super easy recipe for a light, refreshing pasta salad here. This year I have a revamped, Italian pasta salad. This recipe is fresh but also has that anti pasta feel.

Pasta salads are great at a barbecue but also a great lunch for the week. It’s super easy to meal prep and stores so well in the fridge. This recipe is easily my go to when I have guests or just need a quick lunch idea for the week!

italian pasta salad

Ingredients:

1 box cavatapi pasta

Container of grape tomatoes

1 medium red onion

Log of salami

Half an english cucumber

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1 tsp basil

1 tsp thyme

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp oregano

Directions:

  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook your pasta according to the package. Let the pasta cool completely! This is essential.
  2. Finely dice your tomato, onion, cucumber and salami. This is up to you but I like mine about half an each chunks.
  3. Mix together olive oil, red wine vinegar, and all spices.
  4. Once pasta is completely cooled, mix in veggies, salami and dressing! Enjoy 🙂

Pasta salads are seriously my favorite meal of summer! They’re easy to bring to an event or just great to store in the fridge! Let me know some of your favorite recipes below!

This Italian pasta salad seriously is my go to. It’s so fresh and refreshing but filling! This is great as a meal or just on the side! I love the protein from the salami and the freshness of the veggies. It’s truly a great recipe that everyone will love!

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