Recipe For Chickpea Pasta That You Can Make at Home Easily

If you are a cooking fanatic who wants to get his hands on something traditional yet innovative, then this chickpea pasta recipe is a top pick for you. It is quick and easy to make with the simplest ingredients. 

Pasta e Ceci (chickpea pasta) is a noted Italian dish that is believed to be approximately 2000 years old. It is particularly famed in southern and central Italy. Since pasta is a key ingredient of every other Italian Dish and chickpeas were a primary crop in Italy, the combination of both led to the origin of this palatable food item.

Things You’ll Need To Make Chickpea Pasta

Chickpea pasta is a versatile dish, allowing you to make changes to the traditional recipe to suit your taste and dietary preferences. This adaptability makes it an exciting and creative dish for cooking enthusiasts.

Let’s take a gander at the basic components of this dish 

• Chickpeas

As the name suggests, chickpeas are the basic ingredient of this recipe. They are a rich source of protein (plant-based), fibre, and plenty of minerals, which makes this dish not only palatable but healthy as well.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

Very little Italian recipe is complete without olive oil, and Pasta e Ceci is no exception. It not only adds a unique flavour but has several health benefits as well.

• Garlic

In order to boost the flavour of chickpea broth, use garlic in this recipe. Always prefer freshly crushed over powdered ones for better results.

• Red Onion

Flavours of red onions and garlic complement each other in every dish, so adding onions would make this pasta dish even more flavourful.

• Tomato Paste

Tomato paste gives this dish a creamy texture and a hint of tanginess, making it a tasty treat for your tastebuds.

• Pasta

When it comes to shape, you can use any pasta, be it elbow, orzo, ditalini, or shell-shaped, or you can mix any two of these. Pasta is a rich source of carbohydrates and the core ingredient in this dish.

• Chicken Stock

Cooking your pasta in chicken broth will make it well-seasoned and yummy. If you eat Vegan-friendly Food, you can use vegetable broth as a substitute.

• Bay Leaf

Adding bay leaf to your chickpea pasta gives it an aromatic taste, so do add it to the list of ingredients, but make sure to remove it before you dish it out.

• Salt And Black Pepper

Don’t skip adding salt and black pepper as per your taste.

• Rosemary And Sage

 Adding herbs like some freshly picked  

 rosemary and sage will enhance the taste  of chickpea pasta.                                                                               

• Toppings

Once your Pasta e Ceci is fully cooked, you can use grated parmesan as a topping and a pinch of chilli flakes.

Cooking Method And Quantities Of The Ingredients

Adding each ingredient in the right amount is necessary to ensure whatever you cook is finger-licking good. Therefore, the required quantity of each ingredient is mentioned down below.

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Ingredients

• ¼ Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 4 Cloves of Garlic (crushed)

• 1 Small Red Onion (diced)

• 1 6 oz. can Tomato Paste

• 1 Teaspoon of Sea Salt or as per your taste

• Half a teaspoon of black pepper

• 15 ounces of chickpeas

• 1 Cup of Small Pasta of your desired shape

• Bay Leaf 1

For the Toppings 

• 1 levelled Teaspoon of Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

• One heaped Teaspoon of Parmesan Cheese freshly grated.

Cooking Method

Step 1

Start by adding some extra virgin olive oil in a pot placed over medium heat and add onion. Stir fry them until they become translucent, and then add garlic. Then, add herbs, salt, and black pepper and stir them for 30 seconds.

Step 2

Now, add in the tomato passata and cook it till the colour changes. Now pour chicken/vegetable stock into the mixture and stir it well. Turn the flame to high heat and let it boil. Once it boils well, remove the fresh herbs as their taste is infused into the dish.

Step 3

Now add pasta and let it seethe for 10 minutes. Stir in between so nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot. If the pasta is undercooked, add another cup of water and let it simmer further.

Step 4

The next step is adding garlic, salt, and black pepper and simmering, partially covering, for 20 minutes. Keep stirring now and then.

Step 5 

Add garnishes as the last step when the pasta is fully cooked. Spoon out your chickpea pasta in bowls and season it with shredded parmesan and chilli flakes. You can also drizzle a few drops of olive oil. Bon appetit!

Nutritional facts

Below are the nutritional facts of Pasta e Ceci

Tips to Cook Pasta e Ceci to Perfection

• Add parmesan to your stew to give it a creamy texture and delicious flavour.
• Use fresh herbs, not dried ones, as they’ll enhance the flavours.
• Use fresh garlic instead of the powdered one.
• Avoid overcooking the pasta.

Taking Everything Into Account

Chickpea pasta or Pasta e Ceci is a dish that can be made with near-at-hand ingredients that are usually available in your pantry. Since this dish is easy to make and the cooking process is also less time-consuming, even beginners can make it. 

This wholesome meal is not only delicious but also well-balanced, with a perfect blend of flavours and nutritional benefits. The adaptability of this dish makes it viable to change, and you can make it to your taste. This piece of writing covers all aspects of this delectable food item, and it will surely tempt you to try it after reading.