Spicy Arrabbiata Chickpea Pasta (Print View)

Fiery arrabbiata sauce meets crispy roasted chickpeas and pasta for a bold, flavorful Italian dish.

# Components:

→ Chickpea Crunch

01 - 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/2 tsp chili flakes
06 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Pasta

07 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
08 - Salt, for pasta water

→ Arrabbiata Sauce

09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
11 - 1–2 fresh red chilies, finely chopped (adjust to heat preference)
12 - 28 oz canned diced tomatoes
13 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
14 - 1 tsp sugar
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - 1/2 tsp salt
17 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
18 - 1 handful fresh basil leaves, chopped

→ To Serve

19 - 1.4 oz grated Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese
20 - Extra basil leaves

# Directions:

01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F.
02 - Pat chickpeas dry with paper towels and spread evenly on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili flakes, and salt. Toss to coat uniformly.
03 - Bake chickpeas for 25 to 30 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through, until golden and crisp. Remove and set aside.
04 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente as per package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
05 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped chilies, sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant without browning.
06 - Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Let sauce simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
07 - Stir in chopped basil and adjust seasoning to taste.
08 - Toss drained pasta with the arrabbiata sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky consistency.
09 - Distribute pasta into serving bowls. Top generously with roasted chickpeas, grated cheese, and additional basil leaves.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Fiery arrabbiata sauce packs bold flavor
  • Crispy roasted chickpeas add irresistible crunch
02 -
  • For a vegan version omit cheese or use a plant-based alternative
  • Try using whole wheat or gluten-free pasta if preferred
03 -
  • Adjust chili quantity carefully to match your spice tolerance
  • Reserve pasta water helps create a silky sauce texture
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