Stovetop Garlicky Chickpea and Spinach Stew
A hearty vegetarian stew combining tender chickpeas, fresh spinach, and bold garlic flavors, perfect for a comforting meal. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs drained and rinsed canned chickpeas, roughly chopped fresh spinach, 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. 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
- 4 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 5 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 medium, finely diced onion
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 5 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until aromatic, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp smoked paprika and 1/2 tsp ground cumin, cooking for 30 seconds to toast the spices.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups drained and rinsed canned chickpeas and 1 cup crushed tomatoes, stirring to combine. Pour in 1 cup vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Step 6: Add 4 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach and cook, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes until the spinach wilts and becomes tender.
- Step 7: Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir well and serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Stovetop Garlicky Chickpea and Spinach Stew 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 Stovetop Garlicky Chickpea and Spinach 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 roughly chopped fresh spinach from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stovetop Garlicky Chickpea and Spinach 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 Stovetop Garlicky Chickpea and Spinach 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 Stovetop Garlicky Chickpea and Spinach 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.
