Crispy Chickpea & Herb Pasta Bites

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vegan twist on cheesy pasta with golden chickpeas and a creamy cashew sauce, ready in 20 minutes with minimal cleanup. This vegetarian-inspired quick meals (vegan, gluten-free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs (15 oz, drained and rinsed) chickpeas, olive oil, penne pasta for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.5 (12 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Vegetarian cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss drained chickpeas with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1/4 tsp salt, then spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes until golden and crispy, shaking the pan halfway through.
  2. Step 2: While chickpeas roast, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
  3. Step 3: Blend soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, 1/4 cup pasta water, salt, and pepper in a blender until completely smooth, scraping down sides as needed.
  4. Step 4: Return drained pasta to the pot, add cashew sauce, and toss over low heat for 2 minutes until glossy and coating the pasta. Add more pasta water if too thick.
  5. Step 5: Stir in roasted chickpeas and fresh basil, then serve immediately while crispy.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Crispy Chickpea & Herb Pasta Bites take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Crispy Chickpea & Herb Pasta Bites?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Crispy Chickpea & Herb Pasta Bites?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Crispy Chickpea & Herb Pasta Bites for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Crispy Chickpea & Herb Pasta Bites vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan, gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes