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.

my notes too salty. agree should decrease salt by at least half. Also, i baked 1

Use plain, whole milk yogurt instead of cream.

Marion Beram

Rather than a full cup. I used 1/2 cup of cream and could have used 1/3rd. Mash the chickpeas for creaminess and add some of the liquid from the canned chickpeas to supplement. Used lentil pasta for extra protein and less carb. This will def be a staple in my house. It was absolutely fab!

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!

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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.

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.

Do you need to rinse chickpea pasta? ›

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.

Is chickpea pasta good for belly fat loss? ›

The best bang for your buck when it comes to weight loss is chickpea pasta, according to Kaytee. "With twice as much fiber and protein, you'll be able to stay satisfied with your meal and consume fewer calories than the other pasta options, helping you to achieve your weight goals," she says.

Does chickpea pasta spike blood sugar? ›

Low Glycemic Index

Foods with a low GI value, like chickpeas, do not cause a spike in blood sugar levels. This is particularly important for people with diabetes but is also linked with a lower risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

What is the white stuff in chickpea pasta? ›

Aquafaba is the thick liquid that results from soaking or cooking legumes, such as chickpeas, in water for an extended period of time.

Why does chickpea pasta foam so much? ›

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).

Why does chickpea pasta upset my stomach? ›

If you're prone to indigestion and bloating, you may want to skip eating chickpea pasta, points out SheFinds. Why? Because chickpeas are a type of legume that's extremely high in fiber. Thanks to this high fiber content, chickpeas may aggravate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms (via Medical News Today).

What are the side effects of chickpea pasta? ›

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 ...

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.

Does chickpea pasta have estrogen? ›

Chickpeas do not contain estrogen. However, chickpeas do contain an estrogen-like plant compound called phytoestrogen. Chickpeas aren't the only plant food to contain phytoestrogen.

Why is chickpea pasta better for you than regular pasta? ›

But she says the healthiest pasta when it comes to nutrition is chickpea pasta – a protein-packed, fiber-rich legume alternative popularized in the last decade. Take two pasta products from the same company – chickpea pasta contains 11 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber per 2-ounce serving.

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.

Why is my chickpea pasta mushy? ›

When I fished a few chickpea soldiers out at five minutes, they were still chewy, but another couple of minutes did the trick. Verdict: If undercooked, pasta retains its shape very well and doesn't stick together once plated and dried—if cooked even a moment too long, it turns to mush in the pot or the colander.

Is chickpea pasta heavily processed? ›

Chickpea pasta is considered a minimally processed food. Yes, it's processed because chickpeas don't naturally come in pasta form. But it contains very few ingredients, sometimes just chickpeas.

What is the healthiest pasta? ›

Wholegrain pasta is lower in calories and contributes more vitamins and minerals than the white, refined equivalent, making it a healthier choice.

Is chickpea pasta healthier than brown rice? ›

In conclusion, both rice pasta and chickpea pasta have their own unique nutritional benefits. While rice pasta offers a lower calorie option, chickpea pasta shines with its higher protein and fiber content.

Is chickpea pasta hard to digest? ›

If you're prone to indigestion and bloating, you may want to skip eating chickpea pasta, points out SheFinds. Why? Because chickpeas are a type of legume that's extremely high in fiber. Thanks to this high fiber content, chickpeas may aggravate irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms (via Medical News Today).

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