Spicy Arrabbiata Chickpea Pasta (Print-Friendly)

Fiery arrabbiata sauce paired with crispy roasted chickpeas atop tender pasta.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chickpea Crunch

01 - 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/2 tsp chili flakes
06 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Pasta

07 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
08 - Salt, for pasta water

→ Arrabbiata Sauce

09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
11 - 1–2 fresh red chilies, finely chopped (adjust to heat preference)
12 - 28 oz canned diced tomatoes
13 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
14 - 1 tsp sugar
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - 1/2 tsp salt
17 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
18 - 1 handful fresh basil leaves, chopped

→ To Serve

19 - 1.4 oz grated Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese
20 - Extra basil leaves

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Pat chickpeas dry using a paper towel. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili flakes, and salt. Toss to coat thoroughly.
03 - Roast chickpeas for 25 to 30 minutes, shaking the baking sheet halfway through, until golden and crisp. Remove from oven and set aside.
04 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente following package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
05 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped chilies, sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
06 - Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Simmer gently for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
07 - Stir in chopped fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Toss drained pasta with the arrabbiata sauce, adding reserved pasta water gradually to achieve a silky consistency.
09 - Divide the pasta among serving bowls, topping generously with roasted chickpeas, grated cheese, and extra basil leaves.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Fiery arrabbiata sauce with bold flavor
  • Crispy roasted chickpeas add irresistible crunch
02 -
  • For a vegan version, omit cheese or use a plant-based alternative
  • Adjust chili quantity to your preferred spice level
03 -
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for a silky texture
  • Shake chickpeas halfway through roasting to ensure even crispiness
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