Stovetop Mediterranean Chickpea and Spinach Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-07 · Updated 2026-05-07

A hearty and wholesome stew combining tender chickpeas, fresh spinach, and bright Mediterranean spices for a comforting vegetarian meal. This Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs olive oil, yellow onion, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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 olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 cups cooked (or 1 can 15 oz, drained and rinsed) chickpeas
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 4 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until spices are aromatic.
3. Step 3: Add 2 cups cooked chickpeas, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with their juices, and 2 cups vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to blend flavors.
4. Step 4: Stir in 4 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the spinach wilts and is tender.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice to brighten the stew. Serve warm with crusty bread or over rice.