Spiced Chickpea and Hidden Tomato Stew
A warming vegetarian stew combining tender chickpeas with a subtly spiced tomato base that reveals layers of flavor with every bite. This mediterranean-inspired vegan (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs drained and rinsed canned chickpeas, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion 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 cups, drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 2 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp ground coriander, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes and 1 cup vegetable broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups drained and rinsed canned chickpeas, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach and cook for 3 minutes until wilted.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro. Adjust seasoning if necessary and serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Chickpea and Hidden Tomato Stew take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Spiced Chickpea and Hidden Tomato Stew?
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 Spiced Chickpea and Hidden Tomato Stew?
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 Spiced Chickpea and Hidden Tomato Stew 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 Spiced Chickpea and Hidden Tomato Stew vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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