Pasta e Ceci (Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew) Recipe (2024)

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Agatha

Loved this. Although, a little too much libations whilst preparing it... as one does. Added what I thought was double the herbs. Loped off lavender from my herb garden instead... not rosemary. Result was an aromatherapy infused Pasta e Ceci to that will hopefully reduce stress, anxiety, and possibly even mild pain. So one tip - easy on the gin.

Nancy

Why not use juice from tomatoes and broth from chick peas for part of the liquid? Seems to me that would enhance the flavor.

I8cake

Added broth and used regular kale and turned out well. I think the broth proportion is incorrect, as i had to add at least 2 more cups to avoid it being dried pasta. Will make it again.

ssstrom

I used a 14.5-ounce can of fire roasted diced tomatoes, including the saucy juices, and three cups of vegetable broth. I also upped the red pepper flakes, using 3/4 tsp. because I like spice. And I used small elbow macaroni because I couldn’t find dilatini. My husband, who’s not always a fan of veggie things, declared it delicious and asked if we could have it again. I like it because it comes together very fast.

lkhan

I have cooked a version of this.. Separately, I chop finely spring onions, a tomato, juice of a lemon, two green chillis and cilantro, which I add once cooked and leave covered for five minutes...

Julie P

This was awesome. Substituted broth for water - superb.

Cheah P.N

Loved this dish so much, it was easy to make, tasty and nutritious to boot. I can't stop raving about it to my friends. Took some of the advice from commenters below (thanks, cooking gurus!), plus my own slight modifications.- Used macaroni instead- Boiled with chicken stock- Sauteed anchovies as well- Added some minced pork - Used fresh tomatoes with the juices- Used the liquid from canned chickpeas- Subbed baby spinach leaves for the escarolePerfect quarantine lockdown meal.

Nickie Lisella

Delicious I used baby spinach & I used the liquid from the can of plum tomatoes. Also used smaller pasta Acni pepe

MEM

Maria,I'm betting the two cups of liquor really added pizazz to this dish!! LOL...

Linda

Really yummy and so quick and easy. Other than adding a Parmesan rind during cooking, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Ann Black

I have a particular kind of gum disease that is aggravated by acidic food. My dentist told me I could only eat tomatoes with the addition of heavy cream to cut the acidity. Added a quarter cup of heavy cream to this stew at the end, and, wow! It is AMAZING! Also, can't have any kind of spicey so could not add my beloved red pepper flakes. Didn't miss them.

C

Used the instant pot for this! Sautéed garlic and oil and spices for 1-2 min then put everything else in, put on the stew function for 20 min and it was perfect! Liquid was all soaked up and it was thick and stewy. I also used veggie broth instead of water.

maria

Delicious! After reading the notes from others, I used an entire 15-ounce can of tomatoes and their juice, also adding in probably two cups of liquor left over from cooking my chickpeas from scratch. My store was out of ditalini- small farfalles worked fine. Will make again although may double recipe as is not the most generous batch of soup..

Jenna

I added another 4 cups of veggie broth and this was still a stew-like consistency. A cup of ditalini is actually quite a lot, I would probably add half a cup instead. Also, I threw in 2 vegan bouillon cubes of 'Better than Chicken" which helped round out the flavor on the umami side.I made it with the kale I had on hand it was a lovely, light lunch!

Kathy C.

Use broth or stock instead of water

Rita

Delicious. So easy to make. My family loved it. We used lots of Romanao cheese

Nora S.

Had no canned tomatoes, so used a pint of cherry tomatoes instead. Cooked as written, and it was delicious.

Britt

It took a minute to find ditalini but it was worth the short wait. A differently sized pasta would be awkward because the ditalini and chickpeas end up being indistinguishable from each other. Mwah! I got heavy handed with the pepper flakes; I often underestimate their bite but I wasn't disappointed. Replace red pepper flakes with lemon zest/juice to finish if you don't like spicy. I used 2.5 cups chicken broth and half a cup of water. Tuscan kale instead of escarole. Delicious.

HMinDC

Great. Had little elbows and not ditalini. Used about 3.5 cups turkey stock and added more water during cooking. Had lacinato kale and cabbage so I sliced those up and added a few minutes before the end--needed about five minutes to cook (not wilt). Agree it's a great potential cupboard cleaner to keep in your back pocket!

MB

This and Italian Wedding Soup look like terrific uses for all those CSA leafy greens that I can’t get my family to eat raw. (Beet greens, collard greens, etc)

Lisa

Perfect hearty meal for our ski group! Had limited ingredients to work with, no rosemary, so substituted marjoram and oregano, only two herbs at our rental. Also, threw in a bouillon with the water, added some butternut squash and used elbow pasta. It was a hit!

art

Asher likes

Lea

Very delicious dish for a cold day. I added extra broth to make it soupy instead of the water, and added in Italian sausage while sauteeing the onions which I think added to the flavor and hearty-ness of the broth.

JW

Made this today. Earlier in the week, I had braised some kale, so I used it in the soup. It was perfect and overall a very good recipe. I forgot to smash some of the chickpeas so my broth was clearer. It needed a hit of acid at the end, so I drizzled a little bit of balsamic over it in the bowl. Super easy to make with a bunch of stuff I typically have on hand. seems easily adaptable; will make again.

love it jug add anchovy

Love this but would add a few anchovies for some more umami

Kris

This came together fast, and was delicious. I used Banza pasta and radicchio, listened to the comments and used the tomato juice and veggie broth instead of water. The broth was delicious. A real keeper.

Erin

Added extra garlic, rosemary and red pepper flakes. Replaced chicken stock for water, and added about an extra cup. Swapped out type of pasta as I couldn't find the one requested. Also used radicchio, which I was nervous would be too bitter, but it worked quite well!

Karen

Double crushed pepper add anchovies to onion.

Mark from Maryland

Another reason why I love this app. This recipe is SO easy even a Dad who’s responsible for homemade pizza on Friday (see Roberta’s pizza dough in app) and mid week on Wednesday, can be a rock star. So good. Used about 1.5 cups of the pasta not 1 cup and doubled the liquid (3 cups veg stock/3 cups water). The pasta really absorbed the liquid until I added more water. A family favorite. If you can chop an onion and open two cans you can turn out an awesome meal. Love it.

Teresa

Mostly followed the recipe with a few tweaks:- Used all of the tomatoes in a 28 oz can of whole tomatoes- Instead of water, kept the liquid from beans and tomatoes, and then did chicken broth for the restIt's great!! Perfect for a rare sub-freezing day where I live.

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Pasta e Ceci (Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the origin of pasta e Ceci? ›

Hearty and filling, pasta e ceci is a traditional winter dish. It originates from the tradition of “cucina povera” cooking, literally meaning “poor cooking.” Cucina povera dishes were created by Italian peasants who could only afford simple ingredients to cook with.

Can diabetics eat chickpea pasta? ›

Therefore, chickpea pasta may be a good choice if you're watching your blood sugar levels (13). Chickpea pasta isn't low in carbs, but it may not have as much of an effect on blood sugar as other high carb foods due to its fiber and protein content.

Is chickpea pasta healthier than regular pasta? ›

Chickpea pasta also deserves all of the public recognition it can get. Compared to traditional wheat-based pasta, a traditional 2-ounce serving size has slightly less calories, double the fiber, and up to double the protein, depending on the brand. Also, many versions are naturally gluten-free.

What are the ingredients in chickpea pasta? ›

Surprisingly One Ingredient. All Chickpea, No Xanthan Gum. Rotini made from chickpeas, and chickpeas only, for a good source of plant protein without additives, like xanthan gum.

What is the oldest pasta in the world? ›

Testaroli has been described as "the earliest recorded pasta". It is also a native dish of the southern Liguria and northern Tuscany regions of Italy. Testaroli is prepared from a batter that is cooked on a hot flat surface, after which it may be consumed.

Who made chickpea pasta? ›

The origins of the Banza product line, however, were decidedly low-key, low-tech and personal. When Brian Rudolph was developing the pasta for his own consumption in the kitchen of his Detroit apartment, he was casting about for a start-up idea of his own, focusing on technology.

Do chickpeas spike blood sugar? ›

Chickpeas can positively impact your high blood sugar due to their low GI, high fibre and protein content. However, consuming legumes as part of a balanced meal is essential, as excessive consumption or high-GI ingredients added to chickpea recipes can raise your blood sugar levels.

Is chickpea pasta actually healthy? ›

Any kind of pasta can fit into a healthy diet, says registered dietitian Jamie Nadeau, and it depends on your preference for shape and kind. But she says the healthiest pasta when it comes to nutrition is chickpea pasta – a protein-packed, fiber-rich legume alternative popularized in the last decade.

What pasta won't raise blood sugar? ›

Pasta made from whole grains is less likely to cause spikes in blood sugar, making this kind of pasta ideal for diabetics. Complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, are also more nutritionally dense than refined carbohydrates, containing essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

What is the healthiest pasta to eat? ›

Whole-Wheat Pasta

Also called whole-grain pasta, this type of pasta keeps the bran, endosperm, and germ of the grain together. It's filled with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This helps you feel full longer and keeps your blood sugar from spiking. It also has a little over 8 grams of protein per cup cooked.

Is chickpea pasta anti inflammatory? ›

Plus, pasta shelves these days look different than they did 20 years ago. You can find legume-based options made with black beans, chickpeas and lentils that offer protein and fiber that might help reduce inflammatory woes.

Is chickpea pasta good for high blood pressure? ›

Regulation of blood pressure: Chickpeas increase potassium levels in the body, which helps reduce blood pressure. Improves heart health: Soluble fiber in chickpeas reduces total cholesterol levels in the body and lowers the risk of heart diseases.

Why is my chickpea pasta mushy? ›

When I fished a few chickpea soldiers out at five minutes, they were still chewy, but another couple of minutes did the trick. Verdict: If undercooked, pasta retains its shape very well and doesn't stick together once plated and dried—if cooked even a moment too long, it turns to mush in the pot or the colander.

How long to boil chickpea pasta? ›

It holds its shape and texture very well, especially if cooked in lots of water (10 cups per box) so it has space to move while cooking. As with any pasta, it will however get softer with time so we encourage you to taste for texture around the 5 to 6 minute boiling mark and go from there.

Why is chickpea pasta so filling? ›

The Health Benefits of Chickpea Pasta

Because chickpea pasta is higher in protein and fiber than traditional pasta, it may help you feel fuller for longer, which will help you eat more appropriate portion sizes.

What is the true origin of pasta? ›

While noodles are believed to have originated in Asia, pasta is believed to have originated in Italy and is a staple food of Italian cuisine, with evidence of Etruscans making pasta as early as 400 BCE in Italy. Pastas are divided into two broad categories: dried (pasta secca) and fresh (pasta fresca).

Where did pasta fa*gioli originate? ›

The origins of pasta e fa*gioli are not clear, as it is a dish that has been prepared in various regions of Italy for centuries. It is considered to be a peasant dish, as the ingredients are simple and inexpensive, and it is often served as a filling meal during the colder months of the year.

What pasta originated in Rome? ›

There are four classic Roman pasta dishes: cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana, and alla gricia. Each one is a variation on the other — alla gricia is cacio e pepe plus guanciale, carbonara is gricia plus egg, and so on. These four dishes are famous in all of Italian cooking, not just in Rome.

What is the origin of pasta in Italy? ›

Although popular legend claims Marco Polo introduced pasta to Italy following his exploration of the Far East in the late 13th century, pasta can be traced back as far as the 4th century B.C., where an Etruscan tomb showed a group of natives making what appears to be pasta.

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