10 Best Chickpea Pasta Recipes for Dinner

From pesto and primavera to Mediterranean one-pot dishes, these chickpea pasta recipes are the ultimate comforting meals for vegetarians on a budget. 

So, if you have a can of chickpeas and a box of pasta, you’re halfway to a delicious dinner everyone will love!

Pasta is a vegetarian’s best friend, but it’s not very nutritious.

And while many people add chicken or fish for a boost of protein, non-meat eaters have to look elsewhere.

That’s where chickpeas come in! They’re jam-packed with protein, plus plenty of vitamins A, E, and C.

I love these chickpea pasta recipes because they’re flavorful, satisfying, and ideal for families – whether you’re vegetarian or not!

Easy Chickpea Pasta with Spinach and More!

1. Chickpea Pasta With Spinach

Chickpea pasta with spinach is a great way to sneak in extra protein and greens while indulging in carb-heavy pasta. 

Sautéed chickpeas earn a slightly spicy kick from red pepper flakes and plenty of yummy garlic.

It’s the perfect dinner dish for a hectic weeknight and hides nutritious greens between bites of pasta, chickpeas, and cheese!

When it’s about finished, throw in some spinach, Pecorino cheese (yes, please!), and fresh parsley for a punch of fresh herbs. 

2. Chickpea Pasta With Lemon Parsley Pesto

This pasta dish is hearty and bright with lemon, pesto, chickpeas, and hearty root vegetables. 

Chickpeas add nutty and buttery savory flavors that perfectly match the bright acidity of the lemon and robust pesto sauce.

What’s great about this dish is that you can incorporate your favorite root vegetables from sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and beets. 

It takes a little extra effort to roast root veggies, but it’s worth it. And they help to fill out the dish and keep you stuffed for hours.

3. Chickpea Pasta With Garlic and Herbs

Garlic pasta is the perfect dinner dish if you’re on a budget. It’s so simple to throw together on a busy weeknight and only costs a few bucks. 

Opt for vegan butter or olive oil to keep this dish vegan. Even without butter, the flavors of the fresh herbs are all you need. 

It earns a fragrant herbal kick from fresh rosemary, oregano, and thyme and comes together in a rich buttery garlic sauce. It’s so light and flavorful, and adding chickpeas helps make it incredibly filling. 

4. Chickpea Pasta Primavera

I love that the noodles play second fiddle to hearty vegetables and chickpeas in this dish.

It’s just what you need if you’re looking to indulge while keeping calories low!

Sweet potatoes and broccoli add a touch of sweetness along with hearty flavors that pair perfectly with rich chickpeas and perfectly cooked pasta.

It’s one of my go-to winter vegetable recipes when hearty root veggies come into season. 

5. Roasted Red Pepper Chickpea Pasta

Creamy, smoky, 100% vegan, and low on carbs? Sign me up!

Swapping out traditional pasta for chickpea pasta helps to keep the flavors high and calories low. Talk about a win-win!

The trick to this impossibly creamy dish lies in the homemade roasted red pepper sauce. And it couldn’t be easier to make!

Just blend roasted red peppers (get them in a can to save on time) with cashews for a truly vibrant sauce you’ll want to eat with a spoon!

Pair your addictive sauce with chickpea pasta for an indulgent and guilt-free meal. So go ahead, have a second bowl – I know you want to!

6. One-Pot Vegan Chickpea Pasta

It’s hard to capture meaty flavors in vegetarian meals. But this recipe pulls it off, thanks to the chickpeas and decedent oyster mushrooms. 

The oyster mushrooms seemingly vanish into the rich tomato sauce and lend extra chewiness that mimics ground beef or sausage.

Even if you aren’t a fan of mushrooms, they provide a wonderful texture without an overwhelming earthy flavor. 

Stir in chickpeas for flavor and protein, and garnish with fragrant fresh parsley. It’s a great dinner dish to serve on a dark and gloomy winter evening. 

7. Spicy Tomato Chickpea Pasta

Do you need extra spice in your life? Then give this chickpea pasta dish a try!

You’ll use smoked paprika and red pepper flakes for heat. I suggest adding a small amount and tasting as you go.

After all, you can always add more spice, but you can’t remove it once in there!

This dish also features spinach, olives, and chickpeas, which blend wonderfully in the spicy sauce.

It’s filling, nutritious, and sure to please the whole family. 

8. Mediterranean Chickpea Pasta Bake

Cheesy casseroles get a heavenly Mediterranean makeover with this chickpea pasta bake.

It’s so simple to throw together on a busy weeknight, and the amount of cheese makes it pretty hard to resist. 

You’ll infuse the rich tomato base with plenty of fresh ingredients such as spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and dried spices. 

So you know it’s gonna be good!

Shred a generous portion of mozzarella on top, and you have a cheesy and indulgent vegetarian dinner in under 45 minutes. 

9. Chickpea Pasta With Almonds and Parmesan

While this pasta dish is impossibly light and perfect for summer, it’s deceptively filling. 

Unsalted almonds provide this simple dish with extra crunch, goodness, and protein.

They’re also rich in magnesium, and dietary fiber, transforming this simple dinner into a nutritional powerhouse.

Marry pasta, chickpeas, and almonds on a plate, and garnish with Parmesan cheese.

Or, to keep it vegan, skip the cheese and top it with fresh herbs and nutritional yeast. 

10. Mediterranean Chickpea Pasta Salad

Cold pasta salads are always welcome at a BBQ or potluck. They pair well with pretty much everything, and they travel well to boot.

The best part? This super simple Mediterranean recipe comes together in just 20 minutes!

Aside from cooked chickpeas and pasta, you won’t need to use the oven or stovetop to assemble this dish.

It combines light and crunchy summer vegetables such as cucumbers, red onion, grape tomatoes, and fresh basil for summer-inspired flavors. 

Marry those crisp veggies in a homemade lemon vinaigrette sauce, and serve. 

This dish actually gets better with time. So, make it the night before, and let the lemon vinaigrette seep into every morsel.