When your lunch needs to impress your taste buds and your dessert demands drama, you whip out this Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Mocha Cheesecake. It’s the kind of meal that says, “Yes, I meal prep and know how to live.” The salad is bright, fresh, and annoyingly photogenic. Then you casually follow it with a mocha masterpiece that tastes like your favorite café and spa day had a baby. It’s 100% plant-based, because dairy-free doesn’t mean joy-free. This combo doesn’t just feed you—it fuels your inner goddess. So tie your hair up, grab that spatula, and serve smug on a plate.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Mocha Cheesecake
A refreshing, herby Mediterranean pasta salad pairs with a decadent, coffee-kissed mocha cheesecake. Fully vegan, wildly satisfying, and oddly empowering.
Ingredients
For Mediterranean Pasta Salad:
- 2 cups cooked penne or fusilli
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber diced
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Mocha Cheesecake (Vegan, No-Bake):
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked 4+ hrs
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- 1/4 cup brewed espresso or strong coffee
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup melted dark chocolate dairy-free
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup almond flour for crust
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp cacao powder
- Pinch sea salt
Instructions
Pasta Salad:
- Boil pasta until just tender. Drain and cool under cold water.
- In a bowl, mix pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, onion, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Toss dressing with salad until everything’s living its best life.
- Chill before serving or eat it immediately, we won’t judge.
Mocha Cheesecake:
- Blend soaked cashews, coconut cream, coffee, maple syrup, chocolate, vanilla, and salt until silky smooth.
- For the crust, mix almond flour, coconut oil, and cacao. Press into base of pan.
- Pour mocha filling over crust. Smooth top like a boss.
- Chill in fridge for 2–4 hours until firm.
- Dust with extra cacao before slicing if you’re feeling extra.
Notes
Nutritional Values (Per Serving)
Calories: 370Total Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 7g
Vitamins and Minerals (Per Serving)
- Iron: 12%
- Calcium: 8%
- Folate: 10%
- Magnesium: 11%
- Potassium: 9%
Additional Notes / Tips to Enhance Flavor
- Add sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers to the salad for extra flair.
- Use espresso powder for a bolder mocha hit if needed.
- Don’t skip soaking the cashews—unless you’re into gritty cheesecake (no one is).
- Want it sweeter? Add an extra tablespoon of maple syrup—treat yourself.
- Chill cheesecake overnight for best results and boss-le
