High Protein Pasta Salad

This high-protein pasta salad is a satisfying dish packed with plant-based protein from chickpea pasta and chickpeas, with an extra boost coming from fresh mozzarella cheese pearls. Tossed with fresh veggies and flavored with zingy za’atar seasoning, this salad is perfect for meal prep, a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1 (8-ounce) box chickpea rotini
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
  • 2 teaspoons za’atar, plus more for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper, plus more for garnish
  • 1 small cucumber, quartered and sliced (about 2 cups)
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved (about 2 cups)
  • 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added chickpeas, rinsed
  • 1 (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped (about 1¼ cups)
  • 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 (8-ounce) package fresh mozzarella pearls