Need ideas for an antipasto platter? Why not serve a warm antipasto pasta platter with a fragrant balsamic basil sauce, mozzarella, and tomatoes?
Disclosure: Before we get to the details of this antipasto platter pasta, I have to share my excitement about being part of the Chickapea team! If you’ve been following me on social media, you’ll notice I’ve shared a bunch of super delicious nutritious pasta recipes from amazing bloggers. All made with Chickapea pasta! 🙂
Why this recipe for Warm Antipasto Platter with pasta works:
This warm Antipasto Platter with Chickpea Pasta is a perfect cross between your antipasto platter favorites and pure pasta comfort. Perfectly combined in a sweet tangy warm basil balsamic no-cook sauce.
It’s the type of recipe you can whip up in minutes and totally personalize it to suit your taste! Hello, easy Summer lunches!
First of all, this antipasto platter recipe happens to be light as air. It tastes bright, sweet, refreshing and rich with all the Italian flavors and Italian comfort. I remember when I was a kid and used to live in Paris, we used to visit Italy regularly. I was mesmerized by the fabulous food in both places.
And even if food wasn’t as neatly displayed in Italy as it was in France, it looked just as mouthwatering! It tasted just as delicious! It’s probably the freshness and comfort of Italian flavors. And that’s the inspiration for today’s delicious mouthwatering antipasto platter pasta!
The beauty of a warm pasta like this one is that you can pick your favorite antipasto platter ingredients and throw them in. You can’t go wrong.
If I were to serve this alongside something grilled, I’d probably choose grilled shrimp or chicken skewers. It would make this antipasto platter pasta feel like a luscious gourmet Italian dinner.
I wouldn’t go for a heavy spiced grilled protein since there’s plenty of flavor in the pasta already, and plenty more extra flavor from the sauce and toppings.
Something like garlic, lemon and oregano would be all I need to flavor my chicken/shrimp for the grill. It would compliment all the flavors beautifully and most of all, it will remain light and fresh tasting. And when you make it using the pasta, then you’ll get the protein bonus with a hearty feel to your dinner!
How to make this Warm Antipasto Platter with Pasta:
Here’s how easy and quick this delicious pasta platter comes together. Boil the chickapea pasta with some salt.
In the meantime, use your food processor to blend in some garlic, honey, basil, parsley, balsamic vinegar, parmesan cheese, chili flakes, olive oil, and anchovy paste (optional but SO good!).
Once the pasta is done and while it’s still hot, drizzle half of the balsamic sauce over it and watch as it soaks up all those flavors.
At that point, add your favorite antipasto platter ingredients—go as crazy or as minimal as you like: watercress, baby heirloom tomatoes, bocconcini, grilled artichokes, sweet marinated peppers, grilled marinated mushrooms, olives, capers, salami, prosciutto, more fresh basil and plenty of Parmesan cheese shavings.
Drizzle some more basil balsamic sauce and invite your friends to dig in! It’s a perfect dish to share!
For a party, you can serve all components individually so that everyone can personalize it to their taste! I would cook my chickpea pasta perfectly al dente and keep it warm drizzled with half the sweet basil balsamic sauce. Then I’ll have all the antipasto platter add ons separate like an antipasto bar. Have your friends each add their favorite toppings and any extra sauce.
Tips for success:
- You can serve this antipasto platter warm or cold. So not only is it great for the BBQ, think picnics and beach food, potlucks and any outdoor fun.
- Also, you can make different versions of it every time and it’ll feel almost like a new recipe with every variation you make to it!
- I personally prefer no meats added to this pasta, but if you’re into salami and cold cuts, you’ll find it might taste even better!
More Pasta Recipes:
- Holiday Turkish Pasta With Yogurt Sauce
- Quick One-Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta Dinner
- Roast Veggie Pasta Primavera
- Quick Shrimp Pasta with Garlic Feta Sauce
Warm Antipasto Platter Pasta
Need ideas for an antipasto platter? Why not serve warm antipasto pasta platter with a fragrant balsamic basil sauce, mozzarella, and tomatoes?
Ingredients
- 1 box chickapea pasta (any shape you prefer)
Sweet Basil Balsamic Sauce:
- 1-2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves 6 g
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves 5 g
- 1 tablespoon capers 9 g
- 2 teaspoons honey 20 g
- 1/3 cup Balsamic vinegar 80 ml
- pinch of chilli flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese 20 g
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste ( or 2 anchovy fillets)
- 1/4 cup olive oil 70 ml
- 1/8 teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (more or less to taste)
Antipasto Toppings: (any or all )
- 1 cup packed watercress leaves 40 g
- 1 cup baby heirloom tomatoes 170 g
- 1/2 cup marinated mushrooms 80 g
- 1/3 cup grilled artichokes 50 g
- 1 cup bocconcini cheese 180 g
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese shavings 30 g
- 1/4 cup marinated sweet mini peppers 30 g
- 1/4 cup marinated olives 40 g
- 1/2 cup sliced salami and or prosciutto 100 g
Instructions
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Cook the chickapea pasta in salted boiling water till al-dente.
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In the meantime, use your food processor or blender to make the sweet balsamic sauce. Add all the ingredients and blend till smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
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Toss the hot cooked chickapea pasta with half of the balsamic sauce and toss in your favorite toppings. OR you can serve the toppings separately and the pasta separately like in an antipasto bar and have everyone assemble their pasta platter to their taste.
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Keep the extra sauce on the side for drizzling over the toppings once you’ve assembled the antipasto platter pasta! Enjoy warm or cold 🙂
Recipe Notes
- You can serve this antipasto platter warm or cold. So not only is it great for the BBQ, think picnics and beach food, potlucks and any outdoor fun.
- Also, you can make different versions of it every time and it’ll feel almost like a new recipe with every variation you make to it!
- I personally prefer no meats added to this pasta, but if you’re into salami and cold cuts, you'll find it might taste even better!
Cathy
I’ve never heard of chickpea pasta before! Where can we buy it?
Mahy
Hi Cathy, here’s a link on the chickapea pasta website showing where to buy it : http://www.choosechickapea.com/ca/where-to-buy/
You’ll really enjoy it! 🙂
Mahy
Thanks Marcie! Hope your family loves it too!
Mahy
Thanks Tricia!! Hope you make it soon!
Mahy
Jenny, thanks you’re so sweet!! 🙂
Mahy
Thanks for your kindness Teri!! I’m in love with chickapea pasta too!!
Mahy
hahahahaha Jenn, I know what you mean!! 🙂
Mahy
Thanks Lindsay!!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
I love everything about this ~ but that dressing!! I live that you used anchovies 🙂
Mahy
So true Sue! Anchovies are such a flavor booster! 🙂
Taylor
Sooooo I’m thinking you don’t live so far away after all Mahy! I’m coming over for lunch! This pasta is seriously calling my name!
Mahy
hahah Taylor–come over anytime!! I’ll make this for you any day!
Robyn Gleason
I just love this dish, Mahy. It will make serving guests over the summer so easy and delicious. You always come up with the perfect dish for parties!
You’re the Martha Stewart of the blogging world 🙂 Sharing!
Mahy
hahahaha Robyn you made my day! Thanks dearest friend, you ROCK 🙂
kristy @ she eats
Mahy! Antipasto in pasta form?! Why hasn’t anyone thought of this before??? BRILLIANT. Also: Look at all the goods and protein in that Chickapea pasta. This is a meal for ALLLLL the Summer get togethers for sure.
Mahy
So true Kristy!!! Thanks honey 🙂
Kristen @ The Endless Meal
This is such a beautiful recipe! Seriously, the best looking antipasto platter ever. And isn’t Chickapea Pasta incredible? We eat it all the time!!
Mahy
Absolutely Kristen!! Thanks so much 🙂
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
Love the watercress in this dish– such a powerful and tasty little green. I love cold pasta salads, and this one has great flavors and colors!
Mahy
Thanks Michelle, you’re so sweet!! I love watercress too 🙂