Chickpea Pasta Recipe: The Ultimate Plant-Powered Meal
This Chickpea Pasta Recipe is a nutritious, gluten-free, and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Combining the nuttiness of chickpea pasta with a flavorful tomato-based sauce, this dish is versatile and customizable to suit any palate.
Ingredients
- Chickpea Pasta: 8 oz
- Olive Oil: 2 tbsp
- Garlic minced: 3 cloves
- Canned Tomatoes diced or crushed: 14 oz
- Fresh Herbs e.g., basil or parsley: 1/4 cup, chopped
- Salt and Pepper: To taste
- Parmesan Cheese optional: 1/4 cup, grated
- Red Pepper Flakes optional: 1/4 tsp, for a spicy kick
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add 8 oz of chickpea pasta and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
- Make the Sauce:
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the diced tomatoes, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the tomatoes soften into a sauce. Add red pepper flakes for spice, if desired.
- Combine the Pasta and Sauce:
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce.
- Toss everything together, adding some of the reserved pasta water to achieve a smooth, creamy texture.
- Let the pasta cook with the sauce for 1-2 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Serve:
- Remove from heat and garnish with Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast.
- Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with extra fresh herbs, if desired.