Tasty Slow Roasted Tomato and Chickpea Pasta Recipe for Dinner Joy
The aroma of slow roasted tomato and chickpea pasta wafts through kitchens, promising a comforting Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Ripe tomatoes caramelize slowly, releasing their sweet essence into a rich, hearty sauce.
Chickpeas add a delightful protein punch and creamy texture to this simple yet elegant dish.
Each forkful promises a burst of sunshine-soaked flavors that transport you to coastal Italian landscapes.
Herbs and spices dance through the pasta, creating layers of depth and complexity.
The recipe celebrates fresh ingredients and slow cooking techniques that bring out incredible richness.
Let’s find out this soul-warming pasta and let your taste buds embark on a delicious culinary adventure.
Save and Reheat Tomato Chickpea Pasta Easily
Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare double the recipe and store extra portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals that stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Cool the roasted tomato and chickpea mixture completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Pasta can be stored separately to maintain optimal texture, lasting up to 2 months when properly sealed.
Reheating Magic: Revive leftover pasta by adding a splash of vegetable stock or water when warming. Gently reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat to prevent drying out and maintain the dish's original vibrant flavors.
Ingredient Prep Hack: Chop extra vegetables and roast in larger batches. Stored roasted vegetables can be quickly transformed into salads, grain bowls, or additional pasta dishes throughout the week, saving time and reducing food waste.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Calories: 400 kcal
Servings: 5
Slow Roasted Tomato Chickpea Pasta Ingredient Breakdown
For Roasting Base:
Cherry Tomatoes: Bursting with sweet, concentrated flavor when slow-roasted, these tiny gems transform into rich, caramelized treasures that amplify the dish's depth.
Yellow Onion: Provides a subtle, sweet foundation that mellows and softens during roasting, creating a gentle aromatic backbone.
Garlic Cloves: Adds intense, nutty warmth that infuses the entire dish with a robust, comforting essence.
For Protein and Texture:
Chickpeas: Creamy, protein-packed legumes that offer hearty substance and a delightful nutty undertone, creating satisfying texture and nutritional balance.
For Pasta and Finishing:
Angel Hair Pasta or Spaghetti: Delicate strands that beautifully capture and hold the roasted vegetable sauce, creating a silky, elegant eating experience.
Olive Oil: Liquid gold that enhances flavors, provides luxurious moisture, and creates a silky mouthfeel throughout the dish.
Chicken or Vegetable Stock: Adds liquid complexity and helps merge all ingredients into a harmonious, sauce-like consistency.
For Seasoning and Garnish:
Oregano: Introduces a classic Mediterranean herb note with earthy, slightly peppery undertones that complement the roasted vegetables.
Red Pepper Flakes: Delivers a subtle, warming heat that sparks excitement and balances the dish's richness.
Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for layering and enhancing the natural flavors of all ingredients.
Fresh Basil: Bright, aromatic finishing touch that adds fresh, green notes and visual appeal.
Kitchen Tools for Tomato Chickpea Pasta Preparation
Baking Dish: Large, essential for roasting vegetables and chickpeas.
Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping onions and garlic.
Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable chopping.
Measuring Spoons: Accurate for seasoning with salt and pepper.
Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring ingredients during roasting.
Pasta Pot: Large pot for boiling pasta with salted water.
Colander: Needed to drain pasta while reserving cooking water.
Serving Bowl: For mixing pasta with roasted ingredients.
How to Make Slow Roasted Tomato Chickpea Pasta
Oven Preparation Warm welcome to your kitchen battlefield where magic happens. Set your oven to a toasty 400°F, creating the perfect environment for flavor transformation.
Ingredient Symphony Gather your chopped onions, sliced garlic, herbs, and spice companions into a spacious baking dish. Sprinkle chickpeas and cherry tomatoes like culinary confetti across the landscape.
Liquid Gold Drizzle olive oil generously, allowing liquid gold to dance around your ingredients. Pour stock for an extra flavor punch that will make taste buds celebrate.
Seasoning Magic Wave your salt and pepper like a wand, ensuring every morsel gets touched by deliciousness. Toss everything until each ingredient feels loved and coated.
Roasting Journey Slide your creation into the heated oven, letting ingredients mingle and transform for 50-60 minutes. Peek in midway to give a gentle stir, watching tomatoes burst and chickpeas turn golden.
Pasta Performance While ingredients roast, boil pasta in salty water until perfectly tender. Save a cup of pasta water – this liquid gold becomes your sauce's secret weapon.
Final Fusion Marry roasted treasures with hot pasta, splashing reserved water to create a creamy, luxurious coating. Finish with fresh basil leaves, turning a simple dish into a culinary masterpiece.
Tips and Toppings for Tomato Chickpea Pasta
Swap dried herbs for fresh ones like thyme or rosemary to enhance the aromatic profile of your dish.
Replace chickpeas with white beans or lentils for a different protein twist that keeps the recipe equally delicious and nutritious.
Sprinkle crumbled feta or grated parmesan on top for an extra creamy and tangy dimension that elevates the entire meal.
Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat tolerance – use less for mild flavor or add more for a fiery kick that wakes up your taste buds.
Toss in additional roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or eggplant to create more depth and increase the nutritional value of your pasta dish.
Presenting Chickpea Pasta with a Bold Twist
Mediterranean Feast Companion: Pair this vibrant pasta with a crisp Greek salad loaded with cucumbers, feta cheese, and kalamata olives for a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Restaurant-Style Plating Magic: Serve in wide, shallow bowls garnished with extra virgin olive oil drizzle, freshly torn basil leaves, and a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese to elevate the visual appeal.
Protein Power-Up: Transform this dish into a heartier meal by adding grilled chicken strips, seared shrimp, or crumbled feta cheese on top for extra protein and texture variation that complements the roasted chickpeas and tomatoes.
Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the robust flavors with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light-bodied Sauvignon Blanc that cuts through the richness of the roasted ingredients and enhances the overall dining experience.
Slow roasted tomato and chickpea pasta delivers Mediterranean comfort in one delicious dish. Mediterranean herbs and roasted vegetables combine with tender chickpeas for a simple yet satisfying meal you can savor.
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb (454 g) cherry tomatoes
1 can (15 oz/425 g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
12 oz (340 g) angel hair pasta or spaghetti
½ yellow onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 tbsp fresh oregano (or 1 tsp dried)
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
¼ cup olive oil, plus more for serving
½ cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock
Fresh basil, for serving
Instructions
Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 400°F (200°C), positioning rack in middle for uniform temperature distribution.
Base Layer Creation: Spread yellow onions and garlic cloves across a ceramic baking dish, sprinkling dried oregano and crushed red pepper flakes to build a flavor foundation.
Ingredient Infusion: Combine whole chickpeas and halved cherry tomatoes, drizzling extra virgin olive oil and low-sodium stock to create a moisture-rich environment. Season with kosher salt and black pepper, thoroughly tossing to ensure complete ingredient integration.
Roasting Process: Bake for 50-60 minutes, stirring midway to promote caramelization. Look for burst tomatoes and golden-brown chickpeas as doneness indicators.
Pasta Integration: While roasting, boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve one cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
Final Assembly: Transfer hot pasta directly into roasted mixture, gently folding to combine. Incorporate reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce that embraces each pasta strand.
Serving Presentation: Finish with an additional olive oil drizzle and scatter fresh basil leaves for a vibrant, aromatic garnish. Serve immediately while the dish remains warm and inviting.
Notes
Ingredient Quality Matters: Choose ripe, sweet cherry tomatoes and high-quality extra virgin olive oil for maximum flavor depth and richness.
Roasting Technique Tip: Stir ingredients midway through cooking to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning, creating complex flavor profiles.
Pasta Water Magic: Reserve starchy pasta water before draining to create a silky, emulsified sauce that perfectly coats every pasta strand.
Temperature Control: Maintain consistent oven temperature at 400°F for optimal roasting, allowing tomatoes to burst and chickpeas to turn golden without scorching.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.
Oregon State University
Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.
Sophie Reynolds
Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Oregon State University
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.