Macaroni Salad with Chickpeas

Spring is here and in Texas the weather is starting to get warm.  I have been trying to come up with a bunch of healthy options for outdoor parties.  I already have my Dairy Free Potato Salad and my Pineapple Mango Salsa.  Now I have a macaroni salad to add to the list.

salad with watermark

Most traditional macaroni salad is swimming in mayo.  Not this.  This is another meal that is really easy to put together.  I used brown rice pasta for this recipe so it is gluten free as well.  Since I added the chickpeas,  it can be a complete meal and not just a side dish.  The golden balsamic and the pomegranate molasses give it a slightly sweet taste.  Both really make the dish.  You can find the pomegranate molasses at most health food stores.

Macaroni Salad with Chickpeas

Macaroni Salad with Chickpeas

Prep Time 15 min Cook Time 15 min

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked macaroni (I used brown rice pasta)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/4 cup chives chopped
  • 1 yellow pepper rough chopped
  • 1 can or 2 cups chickpeas
  • 2 T golden balsamic vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tsp pomegranate molasses
  • 1 T avocado oil
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the macaroni according to the box instructions. 
  2. Let cool. 
  3. Add all the ingredients in one bowl and mix to serve.

by

Recipe Notes

This just gets better as it marinates in the fridge. I like it better the next day. It should keep for about a week. We got about 4 servings out of this. Enjoy!

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16 thoughts to “Macaroni Salad with Chickpeas”

    1. Thank you! My mother in law gets it for us at the Turkish market. She is Turkish. Ours only contains concentrated pomegranate juice. You may want to check at a Turkish market. It will most likely be cheaper there too.
  1. I live in Brownsville, Texas and don't know of a Turkish market anywhere near here. What is the brand name?
    1. Yes! If you are on a computer, you will see a subscribe button on the left hand side right under the social icon stickers. I think it is hard to see on a phone or tablet. I can also manually add you if you have trouble locating it. Just email me melissa@mywholefoodlife.com
  2. Hi Question..... I keep reading all diff *views* about this. So, I came to YOU! Should WHITE RICE be rinsed A LOT to make it taste better, become MUCH fluffier, less sticky, AND somehow A TAD healthier? ? Do tell! What do YOU think? Thanks so much.
    1. I am not sure it will be any healthier, but you should rinse your rice. Also, adding a bit of oil when cooking it helps.
    2. Here are some tips I list. https://mywholefoodlife.com/eating-healthy-on-a-budget/ Can you grow some of your own food? That really helps as well.
  3. A colleague of mine gifted me a small bottle of Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar that I think would work beautifully in this recipe. Thanks for the idea!
    1. You are so welcome! I hope you enjoy it. I also use the molasses in a tabouleh recipe I have. It really makes the dish and a little goes a long way!

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