How to Make Pasta and Chickpeas: The $5 Italian Dinner
How to Make Pasta and Chickpeas: The $5 Italian Dinner is a easy Italian recipe that serves 5. 660 calories per serving. Recipe by Giovanni Siracusa on YouTube.
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 42 min | Total: 1 hr 7 min
Cost: $5.55 total, $1.11 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 cans Canned Chickpeas (15‑oz cans, rinsed and drained)
- 4 tablespoons Olive Oil (extra‑virgin preferred)
- 3 sprigs Fresh Rosemary (leaves stripped from stems)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste (heaping)
- 7 cups Water (boiling)
- 1 pound Pasta (short shapes like ditalini, elbows, or small shells work well)
- to taste Salt (kosher or sea salt)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (optional, grated for serving)
Instructions
Prepare Ingredients
Rinse and drain the chickpeas, mince the garlic, and strip the rosemary leaves from the stems.
Time: PT5M
Infuse Olive Oil
Add the olive oil to the pot while it is still cold, then add the rosemary sprigs and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 3‑4 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: medium heat
Sauté Chickpeas
Add the rinsed chickpeas to the pot and sauté for 3 minutes, allowing them to coat in the flavored oil.
Time: PT3M
Temperature: medium heat
Remove Aromatics
Using a slotted spoon, remove the rosemary sprigs (and garlic if you prefer a milder flavor).
Time: PT1M
Add Tomato Paste
Stir in a heaping tablespoon of tomato paste and cook for 1‑2 minutes until it darkens slightly and coats the chickpeas.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: medium heat
Add Boiling Water
Pour in 7 cups of boiling water, bring the mixture back to a gentle simmer.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: medium‑high
Simmer Chickpeas
Let the pot simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chickpeas are very soft and the liquid has reduced slightly.
Time: PT20M
Temperature: simmer
Blend Chickpeas
Using the immersion blender, blend about three‑quarters of the chickpeas and broth directly in the pot until smooth and creamy, leaving some whole chickpeas for texture.
Time: PT3M
Season
Add salt to taste and give the sauce a quick stir.
Time: PT1M
Cook Pasta
Add the pound of pasta to the pot, stir, and cook for about 10 minutes, or until al dente, adding more water if the sauce becomes too thick.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: medium heat
Finish and Serve
Remove the pot from heat. Drizzle a little extra‑virgin olive oil and/or sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
Time: PT1M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 660
- Protein
- 11.5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 45 g
- Fat
- 14.5 g
- Fiber
- 7.5 g
Dietary info: vegetarian, vegan (if cheese omitted), gluten, high‑protein, budget‑friendly
Allergens: wheat, dairy (if cheese added)
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Canned Chickpeas: canned white beans, cannellini beans
- Instead of Olive Oil: vegetable oil, canola oil
- Instead of Fresh Rosemary: dried rosemary (1 tsp)
- Instead of Garlic: garlic powder (1/2 tsp)
- Instead of Tomato Paste: crushed tomatoes (2 tbsp)
- Instead of Pasta: gluten‑free pasta
- Instead of Salt: soy sauce (small amount)
- Instead of Parmesan Cheese: nutritional yeast
Equipment Needed
- Large Pot
- Immersion Blender
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
- Wooden Spoon
- Measuring Cups
- Colander
- Timer (optional)
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Infusing olive oil with garlic and rosemary (step 2)
- Simmering chickpeas for 20 minutes (step 7)
- Blending chickpeas to create the creamy base (step 8)
- Cooking pasta until al dente and integrating it with the sauce (step 10)
Chef Tips from the Video
- Start the garlic and rosemary in cold oil to prevent burning and allow a gentle flavor infusion.
- Leave a handful of whole chickpeas unblended for texture contrast.
- Finish with a drizzle of high‑quality extra‑virgin olive oil for extra richness.
- If the sauce needs extra silkiness, stir in a tablespoon of pasta cooking water at the end.
Troubleshooting
Sauce is too thick.
Add a splash of hot water or broth and stir until the desired consistency is reached.
Sauce is watery.
Continue simmering uncovered to reduce excess liquid, stirring frequently.
Chickpeas are still firm after 20 minutes.
Cook for an additional 5‑10 minutes, or add a bit more water and continue simmering.
Pasta sticks to the bottom of the pot.
Stir more often and add a little extra water or oil to keep it moving.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Can be frozen for up to 1 month, but texture may change; reheat gently and add a splash of water.
Room temperature: Do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare the chickpea‑tomato sauce up to step 9 and refrigerate; add pasta and finish cooking when ready.
- Cook the pasta separately and toss with the reheated sauce for a quicker meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of chickpea pasta in Italian cuisine?
Chickpeas have been a staple in Southern Italian peasant cooking for centuries, providing protein and sustenance when meat was scarce. Combining chickpeas with pasta creates a hearty, budget‑friendly dish that reflects the Italian tradition of making the most of pantry staples.
What are the traditional regional variations of chickpea‑based pasta dishes in Italy?
In Puglia and Sicily, chickpeas are often paired with orecchiette or bucatini and flavored with garlic, rosemary, and sometimes anchovies. In Lazio, a similar dish may include pecorino cheese and a splash of olive oil, while in the north, creamier versions use butter and milk.
How is creamy chickpea pasta traditionally served in Italian households?
It is usually served hot, directly from the pot, with a drizzle of extra‑virgin olive oil and a generous sprinkling of grated Pecorino or Parmesan. A side of crusty bread and a simple green salad often accompany the meal.
On what occasions or celebrations is chickpea pasta traditionally associated in Italian culture?
Chickpea pasta is a common everyday family meal, especially on weeknights or during fasting periods when meat is avoided. It also appears at modest celebrations, such as birthdays in rural homes, because it feeds many people affordably.
How does creamy chickpea pasta fit into the broader Italian cuisine tradition?
It exemplifies the Italian principle of "cucina povera" – cooking delicious meals from humble, inexpensive ingredients while emphasizing flavor, texture, and the use of high‑quality olive oil.
What are the authentic traditional ingredients for creamy chickpea pasta versus acceptable substitutes?
Authentic ingredients include canned chickpeas, extra‑virgin olive oil, fresh rosemary, garlic, tomato paste, and durum‑wheat pasta. Acceptable substitutes are canned white beans for chickpeas, dried rosemary (1 tsp) for fresh, and gluten‑free pasta if needed.
What other Italian dishes pair well with creamy chickpea pasta?
A simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, roasted vegetables like zucchini or eggplant, and a crisp white wine such as Vermentino complement the creamy pasta nicely.
What makes creamy chickpea pasta special or unique in Italian cuisine?
The dish turns a humble legume into a silky sauce without dairy, showcasing the Italian skill of extracting maximum flavor from few ingredients and highlighting the nutty taste of chickpeas.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making creamy chickpea pasta?
Common errors include burning the garlic by adding it to hot oil, over‑cooking the chickpeas so they become mushy, and not blending enough chickpeas, which results in a watery sauce. Follow the cold‑oil technique and blend only three‑quarters for texture.
Why does this creamy chickpea pasta recipe use cold oil for the garlic and rosemary instead of hot oil?
Cold oil allows the garlic and rosemary to infuse slowly, preventing the garlic from scorching and turning bitter. This gentle infusion creates a smoother, more aromatic base for the sauce.
Can I make creamy chickpea pasta ahead of time and how should I store it?
Yes, you can prepare the chickpea‑tomato sauce up to step 9, refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 3 days, and reheat gently before adding fresh pasta. Store the cooked pasta separately to avoid it becoming soggy.
What does the YouTube channel Giovanni Siracusa specialize in?
The YouTube channel Giovanni Siracusa focuses on simple, home‑cooked Italian recipes that emphasize affordable ingredients, traditional techniques, and clear step‑by‑step demonstrations for everyday cooks.
How does the YouTube channel Giovanni Siracusa's approach to Italian cooking differ from other Italian cooking channels?
Giovanni Siracusa prioritizes budget‑friendly, one‑pot meals and often highlights pantry staples like canned beans, whereas many other Italian channels may focus on more elaborate, restaurant‑style dishes with specialty ingredients.
Last updated: August 20, 2026
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