Chickpea, Courgette and Pesto Orzo Salad

by Bold Bean Co

Pasta salads are popular for a reason, but have you ever added QUEEN CHICKPEAS? Plump, nutty, creamy they are the PERFECT addition to add flavour, bulk + bite. Ideal for a quick lunch that's great for meal prepping too.

Method

Based on 4 servings, adjust as needed.

Step 1

Cook the orzo in a pan of boiling, salted water until al dente, around 8-10 minutes. Drain the orzo into a sieve and refresh under cold running water, then shake off the excess water. Drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil to prevent it sticking together.

Step 2

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil (if cooking for 4) in a medium sized frying pan over a medium heat. Once hot, add the courgettes with a pinch of salt and fry until soft and slightly golden on the edges, about 7-8 minutes.

Step 3

To a mixing bowl, add the drained orzo, drained chickpeas, courgettes, pesto, juice of half a lemon and a good crack of black pepper and stir gently until well combined. Check for seasoning and add more lemon juice or pesto to your taste.

Step 4

Serve into bowls, top with toasted pine nuts, a few shavings of parmesan and fresh basil leaves. Serve alongside some fresh, crunchy rocket, and top with mozzarella, burrata or feta, if you like. Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days.

  • Ingredients
  • Based on 4 servings
  • 150g Dried Orzo 1x Sainsbury's Orzo Pasta, Taste the Difference 500g
  • 3 Courgettes, cubed into bite size pieces 1x Sainsbury's Courgettes 500g
  • 1 Lemon, halved 1x Sainsbury's Lemons
  • 10g Basil Leaves, for garnish 1x Sainsbury's Fresh Living Basil Pot
  • 2tbsp Toasted Pine Nuts, for garnish 1x Sainsbury's Pine Nuts 100g
  • 15g Parmesan, shaved 1x Sainsbury's Grana Padano Cheese 200g
  • 150g Mozzarella, Burrata or Feta, torn, to serve 1x Sainsbury's Mozzarella Cheese 150g
  • 60g Rocket 1x Sainsbury's Wild Rocket 60g
  • 3tbsp Olive Oil 1x Sainsbury's Olive Oil 500ml
  • 1 jar Queen Chickpeas, drained (butter beans also work) 1x Bold Bean Co Queen Chickpeas 570g
  • 3 tbsp Pesto, shop-bought or see tips to make from scratch 1x La Famiglia Rana Genovese Basil P.D.O. Pesto 140g
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