How to Make Pasta and Chickpeas: The $5 Italian Dinner

Video Description

How to Make Pasta and Chickpeas: The $5 Italian Dinner This is how to take two cans of chickpeas and turn them into a meal that can feed your entire family. This is the real heart of the Italian diet: pasta and beans. You won't see this on a restaurant menu, but it’s exactly what Italians eat at home when we want something filling, healthy, and incredibly comforting. If you’ve been looking for a one-pot pasta recipe that actually has some substance, this is the video for you. Most people think of "pasta and beans" as a soup, but today I’m showing you my creamy Pasta e Ceci! This is the ultimate "stretch meal" that tastes like a million bucks. This dish proves you don’t need a long grocery list or expensive cuts of meat to make authentic Italian food. It’s a high-protein, vegetarian meal that’s ready in one pot, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The best part? You probably have all of the ingredients in your pantry to make it right now. Ingredients: 1 lb Tubetti or Ditalini pasta 2 cans Chickpeas (rinsed and drained) 1 tbsp Tomato paste (heaping!) 4 cloves Garlic (whole) 2 sprigs Fresh rosemary 7 cups Water (plus more as needed) Extra virgin olive oil Salt Directions: 1. In a large pot, sauté whole garlic and rosemary in olive oil. 2. Add the chickpeas and sauté to coat. Remove the garlic and rosemary sprigs. 3. Stir in the tomato paste and water. Let it simmer for 20 minutes to marry the flavors. 4. Take out about 3/4 of the chickpeas and blend them until smooth. Pour that cream back into the pot. 5. Add your pasta directly to the beans. Season with salt and add a little extra water if it gets too thick. 6. Cook until the pasta is tender. ⭐ Video Chapters 0:00 2 Cans Feed the Family 0:29 You Probably Have Everything to Make It 0:56 Sautéing the Garlic & Rosemary 1:37 Adding in the Chickpeas 2:24 Infuse the Tomato Flavor 2:58 The 20-minute Simmer 3:57 The Secret to Creamy Pasta 5:37 Throw in the Pasta 6:21 Preview of Cream in the Pan 7:01 Plating 7:23 Giovanni Why You’ll Love This Recipe: ✅ Authentic Italian Comfort: This isn't restaurant food; it’s the real-life soul food of Italy. ✅ True Mediterranean Diet: A perfect balance of plant-based protein and carbs that keeps you full and healthy. ✅ Budget Cooking: One pot, minimal ingredients, and feeds a family for just a few dollars. Comment Below: In Italy, every family has their own version of "Pasta and Beans." Did your family use chickpeas, cannellini, or borlotti beans? And did you like it as a kid? Let me know in the comments! 👇🇮🇹 Follow Giovanni: ▶️ YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@giovannisiracusaa ▶️ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/giovannisiracusaa/ ▶️ FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/giovannisiracusaa/ ▶️ TIKTOK https://www.tiktok.com/@giovannisiracusaa 🍳Tools Used in this Video (links may earn commission). Pots & Pans: https://rstr.co/caraway/43648 10% off Code: UNPEZZODITALIA10 Induction Cooktop: https://amzn.to/4sA3pr1 Immersion Hand Blender: https://amzn.to/4soFtpH Cooking Tongs: https://amzn.to/400HqMu #italianfood #pasta #chickpeas