Swift pasta and legumes

Quick and Flavorful Pasta with Chickpeas

Servings: 2 to 3 (lightly); 1 to 2 (generously) | Prep Time: 20 minutes

For this delightful dish, you will need:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper or red pepper flakes, to taste
• 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas (from a 15-ounce can, drained and rinsed)
• 1/2 cup uncooked ditalini pasta (or a similar small shape, like annelini)
• 2 cups boiling water (or simply tap water)

For the finishing touch:

• 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil (roughly 1 per serving)
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
• Salt and red pepper flakes to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a medium to large heavy-bottomed pot or deep sauté pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat until it shimmers.

2. Add the smashed garlic cloves and cook, stirring regularly, until they turn a light golden brown and fragrant.

3. Mix in the tomato paste, kosher salt, and your choice of ground pepper. Cook this mixture together, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds.

4. Now, add the chickpeas, uncooked pasta, and boiling water to the pot. Make sure to stir well, ensuring that you scrape up any delicious bits stuck to the bottom of the pot.

5. Lower the heat and simmer the dish until the pasta is tender and a significant amount of the liquid has been absorbed, which usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

6. Taste your dish and adjust the seasoning as necessary, then ladle it into serving bowls.

7. To create the finishing oil, heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the remaining garlic clove, chopped rosemary, a pinch of salt, and some red pepper flakes. Heat this mixture until it's sizzling but be careful to remove it from the burner just as the garlic starts to change color.

8. Drizzle the finishing oil over your bowls of pasta and enjoy this tasty meal warm!

This pasta dish is versatile—you can elevate the flavors by using broth from freshly cooked chickpeas instead of plain water. If you're not strictly vegan or vegetarian, consider tossing in a Parmesan rind while it simmers, adding depth to the dish. The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity, making it truly delightful without being monotonous!