Indulge in this flavorful and healthy Kale Caesar Pasta Salad, a 10-minute recipe that puts a nutritious spin on the beloved Caesar salad. With the goodness of chickpea pasta, this dish is gluten-free and a protein-packed delight.

Gluten-Free Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

If you’re like me and are obsessed with Caesar salad, you’re going to love this recipe for Kale Caesar Pasta Salad. I’ve always been a fan of the creamy, tangy flavors of a traditional Caesar dressing, but I also love putting a healthy twist on all of my favorite “comfort” dishes. 

After some experimentation, I came up with the perfect homemade Caesar dressing. And I’ve been using this dressing for years now, so I’d consider it tried and true in my kitchen! It’s super easy to whip together and you can use it in so many different ways (including this Kale Caesar Pasta Salad, of course). I seriously make it at least once a week. Plus, I have to say it’s WAY better than a store-bought caesar. Although I may be biased, so you’ll have to try it out and let me know! 

What You Need To Make This Recipe

• Pasta: I used Banza chickpea pasta for this recipe! Not only does this make the recipe gluten-free, but it also creates a more nutritious high-protein pasta salad. If you don’t like chickpea pasta, you could also do red lentil, quinoa, or brown rice pasta, which still contain a bit more protein and fiber than regular pasta. But if you want something more classic, you can also stick to the classic wheat pasta! You really can’t go wrong here. 
• Kale: Feel free to switch up the green depending on what you have on hand. I went with dino kale for a bit of texture, but you could also do curly kale, baby kale, romaine, or little gem.  
• Homemade Caesar Dressing: This is the star of the show and it only takes about a minute to make! Just mix together mayo, dijon, lemon juice, worcestershire, garlic powder and salt & pepper and enjoy. You’re seriously going to be hooked – I know I am!

This recipe is a fantastic vegetarian option, as it has plant-based protein from the chickpea pasta. However, if you’re looking to make it even more satiating and protein-packed, you can easily incorporate cooked chicken into the salad. Simply grill or sauté some chicken breasts, slice them up, and toss them in with the pasta and kale for a hearty and well-rounded meal.

Chickpea Pasta

One of the key ingredients in this recipe is chickpea pasta. Chickpea pasta has gained popularity in recent years due to its nutritional benefits and delicious taste. Made from chickpea flour, it’s gluten-free and packed with protein and fiber. By using chickpea pasta instead of regular wheat pasta, we’re able to boost the nutritional value of this salad AND make it more satisfying. 

Not only does chickpea pasta provide a healthier alternative, but it also adds an extra flavor component and a slightly firmer texture to the dish. The extra protein from the chickpeas helps keep you fuller for longer and provides a great energy boost. It’s a win-win situation when you can indulge in your favorite pasta salad while still making a nutritious choice.

How To Make This Recipe

The best thing about this recipe is that it takes less than 10 minutes to make and you can make a large batch to last all week long! 

To get started, simply cook the chickpea pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse the pasta to remove any excess starch and cool it down. 

I like to use the time while the pasta is cooking to prepare the dressing (it’s all about efficiency here)!! All you have to do is add the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and mix until smooth and creamy. I like my caesar dressing a bit thick, but feel free to add a teaspoon of water at a time until it becomes your desired consistency. 

Pro Tip: If you’re making a larger batch of the dressing, you can also mix it in a blender to make sure you get a perfect consistency! 

Now that the pasta is cooked and the dressing is prepped, all you have to do is throw it all together with the kale in a big bowl and mix!

Gluten-Free Kale Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 box Banza pasta
• 1 head of dino kale, chopped
• ¼ cup mayo (I used Primal Kitchen) 
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• ½ lemon, juiced
• ½ tsp worcestershire sauce
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the mayo, dijon, lemon juice, worcestershire, garlic powder, salt and pepper. 
3. In a large bowl, combine cooked/cooled pasta, kale and dressing. Toss until kale and pasta are evenly coated with dressing.
4. Serve and enjoy! Optional: top with red pepper flakes for a kick.

Looking for more pasta salad recipes? You’ll love this Mediterranean Pasta Salad!