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Broccoli Chickpea Pasta

Broccoli Chickpea Pasta
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Broccoli Chickpea Pasta is a hearty and wholesome plant-based dish featuring tender broccoli florets, protein-rich chickpeas, and perfectly cooked short pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a nutritious, quick meal blending vibrant flavors and textures, ideal for weeknight dinners, lunches, or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Legumes

  • 1 ½ cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Pasta

  • 8 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)

Seasonings and Other

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast (for vegan option)
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pasta and broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. During the last 3-4 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water to soften slightly while retaining a pleasant crunch. Drain pasta and broccoli together, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water.
  2. Sauté garlic and chickpeas: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the chickpeas and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, allowing them to warm and absorb garlic flavor.
  3. Combine pasta, broccoli, and chickpeas: Add the drained pasta and broccoli into the skillet with chickpeas and garlic. Toss well to combine, adding a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce that evenly coats all ingredients.
  4. Finish with lemon and seasoning: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to taste. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast, and add red pepper flakes if desired. Mix gently before serving.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook broccoli; add it during the final minutes of pasta cooking to keep it tender yet crisp.
  • Save some pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta and vegetables.
  • Use fresh lemon juice to add brightness and balance the richness of olive oil and cheese.
  • For extra texture and flavor, toast chickpeas separately before adding to the dish.
  • Adjust salt, pepper, and acidity gradually, tasting as you go for perfect seasoning.

Nutrition

Keywords: broccoli chickpea pasta, vegetarian pasta, healthy pasta recipe, quick dinner, plant-based meal, vegan pasta option, gluten-free pasta meal

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/broccoli-chickpea-pasta/