This Pasta Salad with Lima Beans and Anchovies is made with hearty whole-wheat pasta and beans, which makes you feel more satisfied after eating it.
I love pasta a lot. I always try to find or create recipes that include pasta but not the feeling of guilt after eating it. So, my trick is to cook whole-wheat, brown rice, or quinoa pasta. Each one has its particular texture that will appeal to every taste.
Since we are cooking whole-wheat pasta today, being precise when cooking this type of pasta is very important. For me cooking whole-wheat pasta al-dente is just something that doesn’t go well as the texture can change even more if you don’t cook it all the way through.
I love this pasta salad with lima beans and anchovies for lunch because it is made with whole-wheat pasta and beans, which will make you feel more satisfied after eating it. But, of course when you eat pasta, even though it is brown pasta, watch the quantity you put on your plate. One last thing, add salt and pepper to taste but be careful with salt because anchovies are already salty.
If you’re making this pasta salad for lunch and want a side dish to go with it? My Lentils Devilled Eggs are perfect and complement the pasta so well.
I really hope you give this Pasta salad with lima beans and anchovies a try 😉 If you’re looking for more quick and easy pasta recipes, you should try my Sausage Quinoa Pasta, Roast Beef Pasta, Skinny Lasagna Rolls, and Tuna Pasta.
Pasta salad with lima beans and anchovies
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat Fusilli pasta
- 2 cups frozen baby lima beans
- 1/3 cup bean sprouts
- 1/3 cup red onions
- 1 red bell pepper finely diced
- 2 tbsp fillets of anchovies fine dice
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 2 sliced scallions
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra-virgin
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Black peppers and salt
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, add the Fusilli and cook according the package directions. Drain the pasta, rinse and transfer to a bowl.
- Bring a pot with lightly salted water to a boil over high heat.
- Add the frozen lima beans and cook for approximately 4 minutes.
- Once the beans are cooked, drain and add them to the pasta bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients, including olive oil, chili flakes, black pepper and salt.
- Then toss well and adjust the seasoning if you think it is necessary.
Notes
- Make sure you pick up lima beans and not edamame beans. Their packaging looks very similar.
- Feel free to use a different pasta if you prefer.
- If you do not have red onions, you can swap for another onion.
- To store: Store leftover pasta salad in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- To reheat: Simply microwave the leftovers to reheat them or eat them chilled.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I love adding beans to my pasta! They just go so well together, love that used anchovies in here, I’ve never thought of that in a pasta salad but it makes so much sense. Great recipe!
Thanks a lot for your sweet comment 🙂
Pasta is one of my all-time fav dinners too! Like you, I usually use WW pasta or brown rice, just to make it semi-healthy. 😉 This salad looks like the IDEAL summer pasta. It looks like it would be perfect alongside anything grilled! Gorgeous photos too, Olivia!
Thanks, Sarah. You are so sweet 🙂
I love that you used lima beans in here! Poor lima beans get such a bad rap, but I think they’re delicious! So many pretty colors in this pasta salad.
That’s true, Nat. Many people don’t like them, but I do. So glad you stopped by, my friend 🙂
I always forget how delicious lime beans are. I really need to try them in pasta! Looks great!
I love Lima beans. They go very well with pasta. Glad you stopped by 🙂
It took me a long time to really like whole wheat pasta. The texture isn’t the same a traditional pasta, but I got use to it over time. I love a good pasta salad and this one sounds so flavorful!
I agree the texture is not the same than traditional pasta but when you get used to it you actually enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I love a good light pasta salad for lunch! This looks delicious!
Thanks a lot 🙂
This is such a pretty salad! Love the flavors and using whole wheat pasta makes this the perfect light meal:)
WW pasta is always a good healthy choice, right? Thanks for stopping by 🙂
This sounds awesome! I love anchovies but I’m never really sure what to do with them other than Caesar salad and pizzas! I hadn’t heard of quinoa pasta but I’ll be on the lookout for it now– sounds interesting!
Quinoa pasta tastes really good Jess. We always have it and we enjoy it a lot 🙂
I love my pasta too! I’ve been cooking a lot of the gluten free corn pasta lately, but I’m the brown rice pasta is healthier. I also really want to try quinoa pasta soon. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever eaten an anchovy before, but I see them used all the time on the food network and they seem to add a really great flavor to things, so it might be time that I try them out 🙂
Yes I think anchovies always add a really great flavors to dishes. You will enjoy it 🙂
I love pasta salad, especially one as light as this one. The colours are beautiful and so summery 🙂
Thanks a lot, Jessica. Glad you like it 🙂
I love pasta and beans together. This look like the perfect summer dish.
Thanks 🙂
I just LOVE beans in pasta salad. So DELICIOUS! Looks like the perfect summer dish.
Agreed. Beans and pasta are great together. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
What a healthy looking pasta salad! Yum, perfect for summer!
Thanks a lot, Kelly:-)
This pasta salad looks so yummy! I have a little can of anchovies that I’ve been wondering what to do with – this is the perfect thing! Such a light and summery dish!
Glad you like it 🙂
I couldn’t agree more with you 🙂
I do not use lima beans or bean sprouts enough! This pasta salad looks great – perfect for lunches or an easy dinner : )
Thank you so much, Ashley. So happy you stopped by 😉
This looks really delicious! I’m obsessed with anchovies and I love the combo with the lima beans, red pepper and green onions. Sounds great!
Thanks a lot, Sarah 😉
Yum this sounds really delicious. I love trying new recipes from blogs. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Simon