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    Home » Recipes » Lunch & Dinner

    By: Allie Petersen · Dated: June 16, 2023·Last Modified: June 16, 2023 ·This post may contain affiliate links. I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. ·

    Red Lentil Pasta Salad with Lemon Tahini Sauce

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    This creamy Red Lentil Pasta Salad is an easy high protein main or side dish with fresh veggies and a creamy lemon tahini dressing. This is great for a summer picnic or as a simple weeknight dinner!

    What you'll love about this recipe:


    • EASY - You can make this dish in just about 20 minutes! It's also great for meal prep
    • HEALTHY - This dish is high in plant-based protein thanks fo the red lentils and chickpeas! One serving has 19 g protein.
    • FLAVORFUL - A creamy lemon tahini dressing is the best part!
    • VEGAN, DAIRY-FREE, & GLUTEN-FREE

    If you're looking for a filling and satisfying pasta dish, you will love this cold lentil pasta salad! Lentil noodles have 2-3x the protein as regular pasta. This is great to make for a main dish for a dinner as well as a good pasta salad for summer picnics.  

    Find more amazing summer BBQ and picnic recipes including salads, entrees, desserts, and more!

    Jump to:
    • Are lentil noodles healthier than regular noodles?
    • Substitutions & Additions
    • Equipment
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • FAQ
    • Pro Tips
    • Try out these other great pasta dishes:
    • Red Lentil Pasta Salad with Lemon Tahini Sauce
    • Comments

    Ingredients:

    • Red lentil penne: This is the most common pasta shape for red lentil. You can find this at most grocery stores. The most common brand I've seen in Barilla red lentil penne.
    • Chickpeas: Just one can of drained and rinsed chickpeas is all you need!
    • Cherry tomatoes: Freshly washed and halved juicy cherry tomatoes taste amazing in this dish!
    • Red onion: Just a small amount of diced red onion adds a little kick to this pasta salad!

    Lemon Tahini Sauce:

    • Tahini: I recommend a high quality tahini (To know if its high quality check the ingredients - it should only be sesame seeds! High-quality tahini will also have minimal oil separation, and should have a rich, nutty taste with a hint of bitterness. Low-quality tahini might taste bland, rancid, or overly bitter.
    • Plain unsweetened vegan yogurt: This will give the sauce some creaminess and balances the fat of the tahini.
    • Dijon mustard: Dijon helps to deepen the flavor of the sauce
    • Lemon: You will need one large fresh lemon
    • Red wine vinegar: Just a splash of red wine vinegar helps to balance the flavors of the tahini.
    • Garlic clove- crushed: Fresh is best!
    • Pinch of salt and black pepper to taste
    • Nutritional yeast, optional but adds great flavor!
    • Cold water
    • Fresh dill: Dill is one of my favorite fresh herbs and adds so much flavor to this pasta sauce!

    Be sure to check out the full recipe for exact measurements

    ingredients red lentil pasta salad

    Are lentil noodles healthier than regular noodles?

    Lentil noodles have a lot of health benefits compared to regular noodles.

    1. High Protein: Lentil noodles have 2-3x the protein compared to regular wheat noodles. (Lentil noodles generally contain around 15-25 grams of protein per 2-ounce (56-gram) serving. In comparison, regular wheat-based noodles usually provide only about 7-8 grams of protein per 2-ounce serving.)
    2. High Fiber: Lentil noodles are higher in fiber than regular noodles. Fiber is important for digestive health, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and promotes feelings of fullness, aiding in weight management.
    3. Lower Glycemic Index: Lentil noodles have a lower glycemic index compared to regular pasta. This means they cause a slower and more gradual rise in blood sugar levels, which can be beneficial for individuals with diabetes or those who want to maintain stable energy levels.

    Substitutions & Additions

    • Red lentil penne: If you don't want to use red lentil pasta you could also use whole wheat pasta, regular pasta, or another variation of gluten-free pasta (such as chickpea pasta)
    • Red wine vinegar: Use white wine vinegar to apple cider vinegar

    Add in some extras:

    • Feel free to add in more veggies such as artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, cucumbers, red bell pepper, and more!
    • Top with a little feta cheese.

    Equipment

    • Large mixing bowl 
    • Large skillet
    • Small blender or food processor

    Instructions

    Step 1: Start by cooking your pasta to package instructions. Meanwhile, sauté your zucchini in a large pan over medium cook for 6-7 minutes until lightly browned (feel free to use a small amount of oil and salt if desired). The zucchini should still have a slightly firm texture and not mushy (it will hold up better in the pasta salad).

    Step 2: In a small blender or food processor, add your lemon tahini sauce ingredients and blend until smooth.

    Step 3: In a large bowl combine cooked pasta with chickpeas, diced red onion, cooked zucchini, and halved cherry tomatoes. Pour lemon tahini sauce on top and gently stir to combine.

    Step 4: Add salt and pepper to desired taste. Refrigerate red lentil penne pasta salad for 1-2 hours until chilled. Enjoy!

    Storage

    Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. If you pasta seems like it's drying out the next day add a little extra tahini and lemon juice.

    I don't recommend freezing this pasta salad.

    FAQ

    What does red lentil pasta taste like?

    Red lentil pasta has a mild, slightly nutty flavor. It is often described as having a taste similar to regular pasta but with a subtle earthiness. It is slightly chewier than regular pasta.

    Is red lentil pasta salad gluten-free?

    Yes, because red lentil pasta is made with lentils and no wheat, it is gluten-free friendly! Make sure to check it is specifically labeled as gluten-free, as some brands may process their products in facilities that also handle gluten-containing ingredients.

    Is this recipe healthy?

    Yes, it is high in plant-based protein and has fresh veggies. It is also oil-free.


    Pro Tips


    • Use a high quality tahini for your dressing. It shouldn't be clumpy or grainy. High quality is smooth and creamy and shouldn't require excessive mixing.
    • Cook the pasta al dente. Red lentil pasta can become mushy if overcooked. Follow the package instructions and cook the pasta until it is just tender, while still retaining a slight bite. This helps maintain the texture and prevents it from becoming too soft in the salad.
    • Consider texture and crunch. To add texture and crunch to the salad, consider incorporating ingredients like toasted pine nuts, slivered almonds, or sunflower seeds. These elements provide a nice contrast to the softness of the pasta and vegetables.

    Try out these other great pasta dishes:

    • Strawberry balsamic tofu pasta salad
      Strawberry Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad (Vegan)
    • Pesto Orzo Salad with Sundried Tomatoes
    • Creamy Beet Pasta Sauce with Feta and Walnuts
    • This is a photo of one pot zucchini mushroom pasta (vegan) in a bowl.
      One Pot Zucchini Mushroom Pasta (Vegan, 20 Minutes)

    One of my fave noodles dishes of all time is Creamy Miso Peanut Noodles with a savory creamy peanut sauce that coats chewy udon noodles!

    ♡ Did you love this recipe? ♡

    Leave a ⭐️rating and ✏️comment below (I love to read them!) Tag us on Instagram with a photo or video of your dish 📸 @naturallieplantbased.

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    close up of red lentil pasta salad in a bowl with lemon

    Red Lentil Pasta Salad with Lemon Tahini Sauce

    Allie Petersen
    This creamy red lentil pasta salad is a summer favorite with a delicious lemon tahini sauce and fresh veggies.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch
    Servings 5
    Calories 320 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 oz red lentil penne
    • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
    • 1 medium zucchini diced
    • ½ small red onion finely diced
    • 1 cup chickpeas

    Lemon Tahini Sauce

    • ⅓ cup good quality tahini
    • ¼ cup plain unsweetened vegan yogurt
    • 2 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • juice of one large lemon about 2 tbsp
    • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
    • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast optional but recommended
    • ¼ cup cold water
    • 3 tablespoon fresh dill

    Instructions
     

    • Start by cooking your red lentil pasta to package instructions. Meanwhile, sauté your zucchini in a large pan over medium cook for 6-7 minutes until lightly browned (feel free to use a small amount of oil and salt if desired). The zucchini should still have a slightly firm texture and not mushy (it will hold up better in the pasta salad).
    • In a small blender or food processor, add your lemon tahini sauce ingredients and blend until smooth.
    • In a large bowl combine cooked pasta with chickpeas, diced red onion, cooked zucchini, and halved cherry tomatoes. Pour lemon tahini sauce on top and gently stir to combine.
    • Add salt and pepper to desired taste. Refrigerate red lentil penne pasta salad for 1-2 hours until chilled. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Tips:
    • Use a high quality tahini for your dressing. It shouldn't be clumpy or grainy and instead smooth and creamy.
    • Cook the pasta al dente. Red lentil pasta can become mushy if overcooked. Follow the package instructions and cook the pasta until it is just tender, while still retaining a slight bite. This helps maintain the texture and prevents it from becoming too soft in the salad.
    • Consider texture and crunch. To add texture and crunch to the salad, consider incorporating ingredients like toasted pine nuts, slivered almonds, or sunflower seeds. These elements provide a nice contrast to the softness of the pasta and vegetables.
    Storage:
    Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. If you pasta seems like it's drying out the next day add a little extra tahini and lemon juice.
    I don't recommend freezing this red lentil pasta salad.
    FAQ:
    What does red lentil pasta taste like?
    Red lentil pasta has a mild, slightly nutty flavor. It is often described as having a taste similar to regular pasta but with a subtle earthiness. It is slightly chewier than regular pasta.
    Is red lentil pasta salad gluten-free?
    Yes, because red lentil pasta is made with lentils and no wheat, it is gluten-free friendly! Make sure to check it is specifically labeled as gluten-free, as some brands may process their products in facilities that also handle gluten-containing ingredients.
    Is this recipe healthy?
    Yes, it is high in plant-based protein and has fresh veggies. It is also oil-free.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 19gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 38mgPotassium: 375mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 261IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Comment below & tag @naturallieplantbased on Instagram!

    « Easy Peach Zucchini Bread
    30 + Vegan Summer BBQ & Picnic Recipes »

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    Hi, I'm Allie! I'm so glad you're here! I'm a plant-based recipe creator, food photographer, and popcorn lover. Here you will find quick healthy vegan recipes that are perfect for the busy individual!

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