Italian Pasta Salad

This Italian Pasta Salad has it all, it's simple, delicious, colourful and fresh. It's great to serve as a side dish or eat on its own!

📝 Ingredients

• 11 oz short pasta (I’ve used sea shell pasta)
• 1 x 15oz can chickpeas - drained
• 9 oz cherry tomatoes
• 2 medium Persian / Lebanese cucumbers
• 3.5 oz kalamata or black olives
• 5 oz jarred marinated artichokes
• 2 big handfuls arugula leaves (rocket)
• 2 oz parmesan cheese - grated
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 4 tablespoons white wine vinegar or 1 whole lemon juiced
• 1 bunch fresh parsley - finely chopped
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente (make sure not to overcook the pasta)
2. 2While the pasta is cooking, add the Italian salad dressing ingredients to a large salad bowl and whisk together
3. 3Chop the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives and artichokes into bite sized pieces
4. 4When the pasta is finished cooking, drain and let it cool down slightly. Add the pasta straight into the serving bowl and mix into the dressing while it's still warm
5. 5Once it has cooled down, add the chopped vegetables, the chickpeas and arugula leaves and toss together. Top with grated parmesan cheese and serve up your Italian Pasta Salad and enjoy!