Creamy Chickpea Pasta With Spinach and Rosemary Recipe (2024)

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Nancy

Instead of adding heavy cream (Italians would never dream of using it) purée half the chick peas into a smooth sauce and voila you get vey creamy sauce. Light and deliciousM

MM

Why do people post to complain about calorie counts? The NYT posts a variety of recipes, if this one is too caloric, pick another one or make adjustments. This isn’t a site exclusively devoted to low calorie eating and not everyone is on a diet. This recipe looks great!

Linda G.

Forget about the high fat content from CREAM...use FAT FREE evaporated milk instead...I would defy anyone to know the difference!

Chris

What is behind the rise of pasta recipes that call for 12 oz of pasta? Pasta comes in 1lb boxes. It’s frustrating to see this approach in an increasing number of nytimes recipes.

Nate V

Really good! but OVERLY COMPLICATED STEPS! As written you're trying to cook pasta, thicken sauce and soften chickpeas at once. Instead, do pasta and sauce separately, perhaps like this:1) Set water to boil2) Cook Chickpeas as directed; after removing half, mash the rest of them and add the cream and spinach3) Cook pasta to completion; add 1C pasta water to sauce. 4) Finish sauce to your liking5) combine and serve

Dino

Keep the cream and the fat. Count net carbs, never calories. Robbing this dish of its heavy cream is like kissing through a screen door.

Lara

Added fennel seeds and doubled the spinach. Family of five all 3 kids asked for seconds which makes this a winner in my book. It was delicious!

Dee

My husband made it last night and we really enjoyed it. But, being constitutionally incapable of leaving a recipe untweaked, we made the following changes:Substitute good whole milk ricotta for the cream. Fewer calories, more flavor, still creamy enough for us. Pureeing the ricotta in a blender would help.Substitute thyme for rosemary, upping the thyme.More spinach.Either cut back on the salt, or omit pasta water. Too salty!Toast pine nuts and fresh sage leaves in olive oil as garnish.

Tasha

I followed the directions exactly and learned a lesson. DO NOT COOK THE PARMESAN IN THE SAUCE! It stuck fast to the pan and made for a very tedious cleanup. Also, although it tasted pretty good, and was pretty on the plate, it was awkward to eat. The bucatini or spaghetti calls for winding on to a fork, but the chick peas go flying. Shells would work better--you can tuck the peas into them and get both in one bite.

Karekin

If you use plain, whole milk yogurt you will get a similar outcome, with a slight tartness that is very satisfying.

Disco M.

This recipe came out incredible and I made it completely vegan, it was so easy! Instead of the heavy cream soak raw cashews in water for a few hours then blend them with half a can of chickpeas and water. The texture was perfect. Used a tiny bit of vegetable broth right before adding the spinach to loosen it up a bit. Also made vegan Parmesan by mincing garlic and blending with 1/2 cup raw cashews (unsoaked)2 tbsp nutritional yeast and some salt. Seriously delectable!

Courtney

I took Nancy’s advice and puréed half the chickpeas with only 1/4c cream and some extra pasta water. Worked perfectly. Also use baby kale rather than spinach b/c that’s what we had. Whole family loved it. Also agree with the 12oz vs 16oz issue with dry pasta. It’s odd not to have the proportions just be for a pound of pasta.

Roald

This was a good recipe - a nice variation on Cacio e Pepe. My one suggestion would be to up the ratio of chick peas to pasta. The chick peas seemed lost when I followed the recipe. Next time I might try 2 cans chick peas and 8 oz pasta.

Joe Kirby

Made this exactly as-written EXCEPT used Banza Chickpea Spaghetti in place of regular flour-based pasta: big boost in fiber and protein, plus the chickpea pasta-- a obvious no-brainer for this recipe-- adds interesting umami notes in contrast with traditional pasta which, let's face it, just sits there as a sauce-conveyor. :-) {FYI Banda chickpea pasta also comes in penne, shells, and fusilli shapes}

Elena

I made this with geek yogurt instead of cream and I regretted it. The yogurt curdled a bit and it never got the creamy texture I was hoping for.

cole

Could prob make w/o cream for healthier. Use more garbs and garlic. more spinach, was good too.Not sure it really needs fresh rosemary in a pinch. To try

Bex

Took Dee’s advice on the whole milk ricotta just because I had some left in the fridge. Blending did help and it ends up just as creamy with a bit extra pasta water.m. Also added thyme with the rosemary and it was not overly aromatic. Delicious!

Sophia

I made this with oregano in place of rosemary because that was what I had on hand, and it turned out great! I also subbed out the heavy cream for a cup of milk with 2 tbsp of cornstarch and increased the amount of red pepper flakes. Will definitely make again!

Matt

Just made it for lunch and it's just what I needed for lunch. Very flavorful and hits the right notes.

Pdxjc

I thought I would love this as written, but found it a wee bit dull. I kept wanting a bit more acid or something. I agree about not cooking with the parmesan, but tossing it in at the end--it did just stick to the bottom. If you added an ingredient with some acid or a degree of piquancy, please share. I like to try a do-over.

Meredith

Made as directed, tasty end product, odd instructions

B

Deglaze with white wine when you go to add shallots and garlic.

sarah

Two cups chickpeas. Ten oz spinach.

Rachel

I used half oat milk and half heavy cream, decreased the salt since the salty pasta water is used in the sauce, and increased all the other spices and added smoked paprika as well. Delicious!

katie

Because nobody on this app actually follows the recipe, here’s how we made it: cooked a whole box of rotini (16 oz), used 2 cans of chickpeas, added both rosemary and sage, and threw in a couple splashes of white wine. It was delicious!

maz

I made this two times:One time I made it the Italian way using the pasta water and cheese to make the sauce.Other time I subbed the cream with coconut/almond milk whipping cream. DELICIOUS ETIHER WAY. Make this immediately. Added scallions to the top, and lemon is a must.

NolaCooks

This wasn’t great. Beige and bland and mushy. I realize thousands of people disagree with me on this — but I really rely on the ratings and this has so many great ones. Didn’t love it. Sorry!

JDF

Made this recipe as written. I always make recipes with no substitutions the first time! As is, absolutely delicious! Nice spice, quick and easy to make. I will definitely try some of the suggestions, like using ricotta instead of cream and adding broth/water to reduce cream, but this is now a pantry staple for us!

LAS

I didn’t have rosemary and don’t like heavy cream. Made it with a Mediterranean citrus spice and TJ’s chili lime. Used flax milk and mashed the chickpeas in the pan a bit. It was lovely. And vegan, if you lose the parmesan. I sprinkled a bit of grated parm over the top but not sure it added much.

Kelly

Really good! Made this as a dinner on a ski trip with a bunch of friends and we added rotisserie chicken to give it some more protein. It made it a little dry so we added a little more heavy cream and parmesan plus some more spices. We had to cook the pasta a little more in the sauce because it was a little al denté but it was great! Would recommend!

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Creamy Chickpea Pasta With Spinach and Rosemary Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is chickpea pasta actually healthy? ›

Chickpea pasta is a healthy alternative to white pasta, providing more fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, most types are suitable for gluten-free diets. Its fiber and protein may support blood sugar management, weight maintenance, digestive health, and a reduced risk of numerous health conditions.

How to prevent chickpea pasta from getting mushy? ›

Does Chickapea get mushy like other gluten free pastas? The simple answer is no. Chickapea will not fall to pieces or turn to mush if slightly overcooked. It holds its shape and texture very well, especially if cooked in lots of water (10 cups per box) so it has space to move while cooking.

How to make chickpea pasta taste good? ›

Red pepper flakes, kosher salt & black pepper are the blend of dried seasonings that sauté with the garlic. The red pepper flakes will add some heat and spice. Parsley: To me, the pasta doesn't taste quite complete without fresh herbs like parsley. You can also use minced chives or a mix.

Are chickpeas better for you than pasta? ›

"Chickpeas make an excellent pasta option to help meet your protein goals and fill you up with fiber." Plus these noodles are often lower in calories than whole wheat or white pasta.

Can I eat chickpea pasta every day? ›

Yes! Chickpeas themselves are plant-based powerhouses chock-full of both protein and fiber — up to 8 grams of each per ½ cup serving. Plus, they're a sustainable food source along with other pulses like beans, peas, and lentils.

Is chickpea pasta anti-inflammatory? ›

Plus, pasta shelves these days look different than they did 20 years ago. You can find legume-based options made with black beans, chickpeas and lentils that offer protein and fiber that might help reduce inflammatory woes.

Should you rinse banza pasta after cooking? ›

When the pasta reaches your preferred texture, strain it, and rinse under water as you strain. Rinsing Banza after cooking removes the chickpea starch that forms during the cooking process.

Why does chickpea pasta upset my stomach? ›

Chickpeas are made up of oligosaccharides, sugars that are also found in other foods like rye, onions, and garlic. Since they are highly concentrated in chickpeas, a lot of it has to pass through our system, causing longer and more severe bouts of bloating or uneasiness.

Does chickpea pasta bloat you? ›

Chickpea pasta, Morrison acknowledges, is "high in fiber," which is great for many who need more of the nutrient in their diet, but could "cause bloating for some, especially people with IBS." Chickpea pasta, Hanes agrees, can "potentially cause bloating and indigestion for some people for a couple of reasons." She ...

How to cook chickpea pasta so it doesn't fall apart? ›

Simmer this (don't allow to boil too vigorously, or the chickpeas will fall apart) on medium-low uncovered for 20-25 minutes, checking at the 20 minute mark for pasta doneness.

What is the white foam on chickpea pasta? ›

As a legume, chickpeas are coated in an organic, soapy substance known as saponins that get released as they cook. When mixed with the bean's proteins and carbs, this substance thickens even more, creating a layer of foam that will quickly overflow if the right precautions aren't taken (via Veg FAQs).

How to tell when chickpea pasta is done? ›

For example, if the package says to boil for 8-10 minutes I'd cook the spaghetti for 8 minutes. I recommend this because gluten-free pasta will break or fall apart if it's overcooked but it's very much a personal preference. Taste the pasta at the 8-minute mark to see if it's to your desired firmness.

Is chickpea pasta good for gut? ›

The Health Benefits of Chickpea Pasta

Eating more legumes like chickpeas is linked to numerous health benefits including better gut health, lower cholesterol, more optimal blood pressure and healthier weight, Nadeau explains.

What's healthier, lentils or chickpeas? ›

Chickpea and lentils both only contain what scientists consider "good fats." Therefore, Chickpeas are better as they have more "good fats." Lentils have more dietary fiber than Chickpeas. Fiber is a strange nutrient. It doesn't provide calories and doesn't stick around your body.

What is the healthiest pasta to eat? ›

Whole-wheat pasta is an easy-to-find nutritious noodle that will bump up the nutrition of your pasta dish. Made from whole grains, every cup of cooked pasta (140 grams) boasts 43 g of carbohydrate, 3 g of fiber and 8 g of protein per serving, per the USDA.

Is chickpea pasta high in sugar? ›

The starch in chickpeas is a complex carbohydrate—the good kind that fuels you up and keep you fuller longer. You'll also get eight grams of fiber in each serving. The remainder of the carbs in chickpea pasta comes from a small amount of naturally occurring sugar.

Is chickpea pasta a good substitute for pasta? ›

Chickpea pasta

This replacement is made with chickpeas and pea protein and contains 25 grams of protein and 13 grams of fiber. This protein and fiber combo will help keep you full and the texture is sure to satisfy your pasta craving.

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