Spiced North African Chickpea and Tomato Tagine

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant, slow-simmered tagine of chickpeas and tomatoes spiced with cinnamon and turmeric, perfect as a comforting vegetarian main or side. This african-inspired african (vegan) ready in about 40 minutes pairs medium, thinly sliced onion, minced garlic cloves, olive oil 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.

★ 4.3 (14 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 African cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a deep skillet or tagine pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium thinly sliced onion and sauté for 7 minutes until softened and translucent.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp ground coriander. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 400g crushed tomatoes, 1 cup vegetable broth, and 2 cups drained chickpeas. Stir in 1 tbsp harissa paste if using for a mild heat.
  4. Step 4: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
  5. Step 5: Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  6. Step 6: Serve warm, garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and lemon wedges on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced North African Chickpea and Tomato Tagine take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 North African Chickpea and Tomato Tagine?

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 medium, thinly sliced onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced North African Chickpea and Tomato Tagine?

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 North African Chickpea and Tomato Tagine 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 North African Chickpea and Tomato Tagine vegan?

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

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