Creamy Chickpea Pasta E Ceci
This delightful Creamy Chickpea Pasta E Ceci is a heartwarming Italian dish that celebrates the rich flavors of beans and fresh herbs. With tender chickpeas simmered to perfection in a savory broth, this recipe brings together the classic staples of Italian cooking. Just the right amount of ditalini pasta adds a comforting touch, while fragrant rosemary and zesty lemon juice uplift the entire dish. Perfect for weeknight dinners or as a cozy meal shared with loved ones, this recipe is not only nourishing but also incredibly satisfying.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
Onion
1 small (peeled and finely chopped)
Celery
1 stick (trimmed and finely chopped (include leaves if possible))
Garlic clove
1 (peeled and finely chopped)
Fresh rosemary
2 sprigs (leaves picked and finely chopped)
Chickpeas
2 (14 ounce) cans (drained and rinsed)
Chicken stock or Vegetable stock
3 cups
Ditalini pasta
3.5 ounces (or other small soup pasta)
Lemon
1/2 (juiced)
Fresh basil or parsley
1/2 cup (leaves picked and roughly chopped)
Extra virgin olive oil
to taste (for drizzling)
Instructions
1
Heat a large skillet or soup pot over medium-low heat, adding the olive oil.
2
Sauté the finely chopped onion, celery, and garlic, covered, for about 15 minutes, until they become soft and translucent.
3
Stir in the chopped rosemary and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
4
Pour in the drained and rinsed chickpeas along with the chicken or vegetable stock and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
5
Reduce the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes until the chickpeas are tender and infused with flavor.
6
Using a slotted spoon, remove half of the chickpeas and set aside.
7
Blend the remaining soup using a blender, food mill, or immersion blender until smooth and creamy.
8
Return the puréed soup to the pot, add the reserved chickpeas, and introduce the pasta.
9
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until tender, adding boiling water if needed to adjust the consistency to your liking.
10
Season with salt and pepper, finishing with the fresh lemon juice.
11
Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped basil or parsley, and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for an extra touch of flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Chickpea Pasta E Ceci?
It is a heartwarming Italian dish featuring chickpeas, ditalini pasta, and fresh herbs in a savory, creamy broth.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
Is this recipe suitable for a vegan diet?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as vegan; ensure you use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
What type of pasta is recommended for this dish?
Ditalini pasta is specified, though any small soup pasta can be used as a substitute.
How long should I sauté the base vegetables?
Sauté the onion, celery, and garlic covered for about 15 minutes until soft and translucent.
Should I drain the chickpeas before cooking?
Yes, the chickpeas should be both drained and rinsed before they are added to the pot.
How much stock is required for the recipe?
You will need 3 cups of either chicken or vegetable stock.
How do you make the soup creamy without dairy?
The creaminess is achieved by blending half of the simmered chickpeas and stock into a smooth purée.
What herbs provide the main flavor profile?
Fragrant fresh rosemary is simmered with the chickpeas, and fresh basil or parsley is used as a garnish.
When should the pasta be added to the pot?
Add the pasta after the soup has been puréed and the reserved whole chickpeas have been returned to the pot.
How long do the chickpeas need to simmer?
Let the chickpeas simmer in the stock for 20 minutes to infuse them with flavor and make them tender.
What tools can I use to blend the soup?
You can use a standard blender, a food mill, or an immersion blender to achieve a creamy consistency.
What should I do if the pasta absorbs too much liquid?
If the consistency becomes too thick, you can add boiling water to adjust it to your liking while the pasta cooks.
How much ditalini pasta is used?
The recipe calls for 3.5 ounces of ditalini or other small pasta.
What is the purpose of adding lemon juice at the end?
Zesty lemon juice is added to uplift the entire dish and balance the savory flavors.
How much olive oil is used for the base?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of olive oil for sautéing the initial aromatics.
Should the pot be covered during the initial sauté?
Yes, covering the pot while sautéing onion, celery, and garlic helps them soften without browning.
How do I prepare the rosemary for this recipe?
Pick the leaves from 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary and chop them finely before adding them to the pot.
Can I use canned chickpeas?
Yes, the recipe specifically uses 2 (14 ounce) cans of chickpeas for convenience.
What is the suggested garnish for serving?
Serve hot garnished with freshly chopped basil or parsley and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Is this recipe considered a healthy option?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy and nourishing, featuring protein-rich beans and fresh vegetables.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 1 garlic clove, which should be peeled and finely chopped.
Can I use celery leaves in the dish?
Yes, the recipe suggests including the celery leaves if possible when chopping the stick.
Is this a good recipe for weeknight dinners?
Yes, it is described as perfect for weeknight dinners as it is nourishing and easy to prepare.
At what heat level should the vegetables be sautéed?
The vegetables should be sautéed over medium-low heat.
When should I season the dish with salt and pepper?
Season with salt and pepper after the pasta is cooked and before finishing with lemon juice.
What size onion should I use?
A small onion, peeled and finely chopped, is sufficient for this recipe.
How long do I cook the rosemary?
Stir in the chopped rosemary and cook for about one minute to release its aroma before adding liquids.
Can I use parsley instead of basil?
Yes, you can use either 1/2 cup of fresh basil or parsley depending on your preference.
What type of olive oil is used for finishing?
Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for drizzling over the finished dish to add extra flavor.