Hidden Garden Chickpea Stew with Spinach and Sweet Potato
A comforting stew that conceals layers of flavors with tender sweet potatoes, hearty chickpeas, and vibrant spinach in a spiced tomato broth. This mediterranean-inspired vegan ready in about 50 minutes pairs extra virgin olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 medium, peeled and cubed into 1-inch pieces sweet potatoes
- 2 cups, drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 4 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups drained chickpeas, 2 medium peeled and cubed sweet potatoes, and 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes along with their juices. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Pour in 3 cups vegetable broth and season with 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
- Step 5: Stir in 4 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach and cook for 3 minutes until wilted and incorporated.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice to brighten the flavors before serving warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hidden Garden Chickpea Stew with Spinach and Sweet Potato take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Hidden Garden Chickpea Stew with Spinach and Sweet Potato?
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 extra virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hidden Garden Chickpea Stew with Spinach and Sweet Potato?
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 Hidden Garden Chickpea Stew with Spinach and Sweet Potato 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.
What goes well with Hidden Garden Chickpea Stew with Spinach and Sweet Potato?
Mediterranean vegan like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.