Rustic, warm, homey and satisfying…Spicy Pasta with Chickpeas and Herbs is the perfect meal to sit down to at the end of a long day!
There are some meals that ask for very little fanfare. This is one such meal.
My favorite kind of meal, actually.
A few humble ingredients. Flavors that taste like home. Aromas that harken back to childhood.
Fried garlic was (and still is) as popular a scent in our house as tomato sauce and toast.
I resurrected this recipe mostly because we have an overabundance of chickpeas in the cupboard, plus, I was craving its simple comforts and thought you might be too. ‘Tis the season.
INGREDIENTS FOR SPICY PASTA WITH CHICKPEAS AND HERBS:
- Pasta (I used gemelli but penne or ziti would make fine substitutes)
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Red pepper flakes
- Rosemary
- Chickpeas
- Grape tomatoes
- Flat-leaf parsley
- Salt & pepper
- Parmesan
Once the pasta is cooked the dish comes together pretty quickly so you might want to pour that glass of wine before you start cooking!
If you decide to give Spicy Pasta with Chickpeas & Herbs a try – I’d love your feedback and photos! Tag @ciaochowbambina on Instagram, or share to my Pinterest and Facebook page!
MORE CHICKPEA RECIPES:
Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Chickpeas & Herbs
Italian Farro with Chickpeas & Tomato Sauce
Chopped Chickpea Salad with Italian Vinaigrette
Buon Appetito!
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Spicy Pasta with Chickpeas and Herbs
- Category: Dinner
Description
Rustic, warm, homey and satisfying…Spicy Pasta with Chickpeas and Herbs is the perfect meal to sit down to at the end of a long day!
Ingredients
- 3/4 lb. pasta (gemelli or penne)
- 1/3 cup olive oil, plus 2 Tbsp.
- 4 plump cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 – 16 oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 pint grape tomatoes
- 2 – 3 Tbsp. chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, over medium heat in a large skillet, warm 1/3 cup olive oil.
- Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and rosemary. Cook until fragrant.
- Add chickpeas and grape tomatoes. Cook until chickpeas are sizzling and tomatoes start to soften, about 3 – 4 minutes.
- Drain pasta reserving 1/3 cup pasta water.
- Add pasta to the chickpea mixture.
- Toss well to coat, adding 2 Tbsp. olive oil, salt, pepper and reserved pasta water if needed.
- Serve immediately with chopped parsley, salt, pepper and grated Parmesan.
CIAO!
This post was originally published on March 11, 2016. I’ve updated it with new photos and text and a slight adjustment to the recipe.
If I had any talent, I would write my ode to pasta too (or at least a little poetry-comment on this post). Apparently, I didn’t get this talent. This doesn’t prevent me from being passionate about pasta. Here, with chickpeas, herbs, garlic, and cheese? Yes, please. Count me on.
You’re in! But I have to say…I think you’d do a smashing job with an ode…maybe start with lavender…yep, I bet that’ll do it! 🙂
Hahaha! Your pasta poetry is cracking me up, Annie! I’ve never had chickpeas in pasta before, but I can see why this creation sparked an ode to pasta!
It doesn’t take much for me to want to declare my love for pasta! Thanks, friend!
Pasta is definitely more poetic than most of the poetry I read, and I read a lot, being a creative writing teacher and all. So your theory is making me pretty happy! As is this pasta. Amazing!
I don’t know…can pasta be the most poetic? I think it has a chance! Thanks, friend!
Oh my goodness, your poem put a huge smile on my face. Now I’m going to have to check out pasta poetry. In the meantime, this pasta recipe looks like pure heaven. Love that you put chickpeas in there, I don’t see that in many pasta recipes!
Thank you, dear! Yep, I think I could make reading pasta poetry a regular part of my life! 🙂 Thanks for your kind words, Denise!
Chickpeas with pasta? That’s an interesting combination. Absolutely love that and can’t wait to try out your recipe. Thanks for sharing 🙂
It’s a combo I’ve been eating for a long time! Hope you like it! Thanks, friend!
Ceci beans and pasta. Love it. And you continue to amaze me with your writing. Nice job!
Deb, you’re so sweet! Thank you so much! xo
This is certainly something new! I think I’ll stick to making and eating pasta and leave the poetry to you! Well done, my dear!
Hahah! Awh! I’m waiting for just one person to bite…more than just the pasta… 😉 Thanks, my friend! 🙂
Pasta poetry. Now that sounds beautiful! I’ve never had chickpeas in pasta before. Have I been living under a rock? Sounds great!
Even the words pasta poetry have a nice ring, don’t they? You must try pasta with chickpeas! You’ll be glad you did!
You’re a poet and didn’t know it! hahaha I just had to. 😉 I love your poem and this recipe. Chickpeas are a favorite, but I’ve never had them with pasta. Sounds like a great combination. Well done!
hahaha! I was wondering who would be the first to say it! 😉 Now I can relax! Why thank you, my dear! Just some warm rustic flavors going on here!
Hahahaha! Loved your poem Annie! Love this recipe too. Pasta and beans are the best combo ever and I’ve got to try this one soon. I’m trying to eat more vegetarian meals and this fits in perfectly. Made Hubby eat a totally vegan dinner last night and he’s so not a vegan kind of guy!! #mybad He will like this meal much more because it’s made with pasta. Thanking you in advance from my Hubby for posting a wonderful no meat meal for him to enjoy 🙂
Yay! Please tell your hubby I said he’s very welcome! Happy I could help!! 🙂 I love mixing most veggies with pasta… They’re a match made in heaven! Thanks, doll!
Pasta poetry? Love it! This pasta looks amazing! Chickpeas taste so good, need to try it!
I’ve always loved pasta with chickpeas! Thanks, friend!
Love your pasta poetry, Annie! Very eloquent.. and quite entertaining! 😉 I must say, pasta this delicious deserves a little ode! Loving the spicy, herb and garlic flavors! Plus you added my favorites – chickpeas! Yay! This is a bowl of pasta I can get down with! Pinned! Cheers friend- to a beautiful weekend! Xo
I’ve always wondered why more poets didn’t write love notes to pasta?! 😉 Thanks, my dear – this is a great dish any night of the week – quick and flavorful! Happy Saturday! xo
Alas, I am no poet, but certainly enjoyed yours. I could easily dive into this bowl of pasta and chickpeas – and with a squeeze of lemon it would be heaven!
I didn’t do it but was thinking (after I finished eating) that a nice squeeze of lemon would have been perfect! Love it, Kevin! Thanks, my friend!!
Hi Annie, this dish is singing to me. I love chickpeas and a little heat as well! This would be a perfect comfort food dish on a Friday night after a long week at work. Great marrying of fantastic flavors. Take care.
Oh yeah! A perfect Friday night meal… Thanks, my friend! Have a lovely weekend!
Now every dish you publish will be jealous unless you compose an ode to it. Not only are you a fantastic photographer, recipe creator, writer but a poet nonetheless. Such talent in one Italian package 🙂 Bravissima!!
Hahaha! You crack me up! My family will tell you I’m just silly enough to do that! Thanks for your kind words, sweets! 🙂
I never think of adding chickpeas to pasta, Annie – but this looks so delicious. And it checks all the boxes on the kind of pasta I like – fast, garlicky and with a bit of heat. Love it! And pasta poetry sounds perfect – since pasta is sooo lovable. Have a great weekend!
Pasta is so lovable..why should roses and wine get all the attention? Thanks, my friend!
Hahaha pasta poetry!!! That’s amazing. You might also like cupcake ipsum…lots of fun if you’re doing design work! Those chickpeas look amazing and buttery I definitely want to try this. Pinning!
Hahah! Isn’t it great?! Too fun! I’ll definitely check out cupcake ipsum! Thanks, my friend! Happy Saturday!
Beans, beans, they’re good for your heart… OK, I think your poem is more mature than mine, lol! Mom made us all pasta e ceci as soon as we got home from the hospital a couple weeks ago. Such a comforting dish! Yours looks so good!
Hahahah! The original foodie poem! Yes, beans – good for your heart…a magical fruit…Love it, Andrea! Thanks, dear! 🙂
Nice work, Annie, on your poem and this delicious pasta! hehe! I’ve not heard of pasta poetry… but I know someone who may have. I’ll ask! Delicious and comforting pasta my dear!
Why thank you, friend! This dish speaks to me…in so many ways! 😉 I’d love to know what you find out! 🙂
I’ve never heard of pasta poetry before! Love your poem! This dish is absolutely gorgeous. I’ve been on a big chickpea kick lately, so this is just perfect!
Hahah! I know, I hadn’t either until I decided I wanted to write a poem (about pasta) so I did a little perusing and sure enough – there it was! I almost fell off my chair! This is my kinda poetry! 😉 Thanks so much, Gayle!! Have a great weekend, my friend!