Spicy Arrabbiata Chickpea Pasta (Printable version)

A flavorful pasta layered with spicy sauce and crunchy roasted chickpeas for vibrant taste and texture.

# What you need:

→ 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

# Steps to follow:

01 - Heat oven to 400°F.
02 - Pat chickpeas dry with paper towel. Spread on baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili flakes, and salt, then toss to coat evenly.
03 - Bake chickpeas for 25–30 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crisp. Remove and set aside.
04 - Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
05 - Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and chopped chilies, sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant without browning.
06 - Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Simmer 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly.
07 - Stir in chopped basil and adjust seasoning to taste.
08 - Toss drained pasta with sauce, adding reserved pasta water incrementally to achieve desired silky texture.
09 - Divide pasta into bowls, top with roasted chickpeas, grated cheese, and extra basil leaves.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • Fiery arrabbiata sauce adds bold flavor
  • Crispy roasted chickpeas provide irresistible crunch
02 -
  • For a vegan version omit cheese or use a plant-based alternative
  • Adjust chili quantity to control spice level
03 -
  • Use paper towels to thoroughly dry chickpeas before roasting for extra crispiness
  • Add reserved pasta water gradually to achieve desired sauce consistency
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