Marry Me Chickpeas Creamy Dish (Printable)
Creamy chickpeas with sun-dried tomatoes and herbs in a rich, flavorful sauce ready in 30 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chickpeas & Vegetables
01 - 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
05 - 2 cups baby spinach, loosely packed
→ Sauce
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
12 - 1/2 cup vegetable broth
13 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
14 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Finish
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
16 - Zest of 1 lemon
# How To Cook:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, basil, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
03 - Add sun-dried tomatoes and chickpeas to the skillet. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat with the spices.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Allow the flavors to meld for 1–2 minutes.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Add spinach and cook until just wilted, about 2–3 minutes. Stir gently to incorporate evenly.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in lemon zest and fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm with crusty bread, over rice, or with pasta.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The sauce clings to every chickpea like a warm hug, making each bite impossibly creamy without any meat
- This comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like something you simmered all Sunday afternoon
02 -
- The sauce will thicken as it stands off the heat, so dont panic if it looks slightly thinner than you expected initially
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil add extra richness, but if youre using dry ones, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes first
03 -
- Toast your spices in the hot oil for 30 seconds before adding the aromatics - this small step makes a huge difference in depth
- Save some of the chickpea liquid (aquafaba) if you need to thin the sauce later without watering down the flavor