In the realm of culinary trends, the fusion of beloved recipes often leads to delightful innovations. One such creation making waves in kitchens worldwide is the Baked Feta Pasta With Chickpeas. This culinary masterpiece amalgamates the comforting essence of pasta e ceci with the savory allure of baked feta, resulting in a tantalizing one-pan dish that promises both convenience and flavor.
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The Fusion: Pasta e Ceci Meets Baked Feta
At the heart of this recipe lies the marriage of two viral sensations: pasta e ceci and baked feta. Pasta e ceci, a traditional Italian dish, combines pasta with chickpeas, garlic, and red pepper flakes for a deeply satisfying flavor profile. On the other hand, baked feta involves baking thick slabs of feta cheese until golden brown and lusciously soft.
Recipe Overview
The preparation of Baked Feta Pasta With Chickpeas is as straightforward as it is delicious. Begin by sautéing garlic and tomato paste in olive oil until fragrant. Add your choice of small pasta, such as ditalini or orecchiette, along with chickpeas and water. Allow the pasta to cook until it reaches a brothy consistency, then nestle thick slabs of feta atop the mixture. Bake until the pasta is fully cooked and the feta develops a delightful charred exterior.
Ingredients
To recreate this culinary marvel in your own kitchen, gather the following ingredients:
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 head of garlic (about 12 cloves), thinly sliced
- ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 6-oz. can tomato paste
- 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed
- 12 oz. ditalini or other small pasta
- 2½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1½ tsp. Morton kosher salt
- 2 oz. Parmesan, finely grated
- 14 oz. feta, cut into ½"-thick slabs
- Tender herbs (such as dill, chives, and/or parsley) and lemon wedges for serving
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F and position a rack in the upper third.
- Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Sauté sliced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes until fragrant.
- Add tomato paste and cook until it turns brick red in color.
- Incorporate chickpeas, pasta, and water, allowing the pasta to cook until halfway done.
- Remove from heat and arrange slabs of feta over the pasta mixture.
- Bake until the pasta is fully cooked and the feta is lightly browned and softened.
- For an extra burst of freshness, garnish with tender herbs and serve with lemon wedges.
Tips and Notes
- When purchasing feta, opt for large slabs that can be cut into hearty planks.
- Feel free to customize the recipe by adding your favorite herbs or vegetables.
- This dish can be prepared in less than an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Baked Feta Pasta With Chickpeas embodies the essence of modern comfort food: simple yet sophisticated, satisfying yet effortless to prepare. Whether you’re seeking a quick dinner solution or craving a culinary adventure, this recipe is sure to delight your taste buds and captivate your senses.
Unique Culinary Twists: Exploring Variations of Baked Fe
What are the ingredients in a chickpea pasta bake?
To whip up a flavorful chickpea pasta bake, gather the following ingredients:
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Red pepper
- Spinach or kale
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Kalamata olives
- Sea salt
- Pepper
- Oregano
- Basil
- Red pepper flakes
- Chickpeas
- Pasta sauce
- Rotini
- Mozzarella cheese
Kickstart the cooking process by warming the oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Is chickpea pasta a weeknight meal?
Indeed, chickpea pasta proves to be a convenient option for weeknight dinners. This vegetarian Mediterranean chickpea pasta bake offers a quick and effortless meal solution. Bursting with vegetables, including sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and chickpeas, combined with pasta and topped with cheese, it satisfies both taste and convenience. Whether it’s a bustling Monday or a laid-back Wednesday, this dish fits seamlessly into any weeknight dinner rotation, offering a delightful and nourishing option that’s easy to prepare.
How do you cook feta pasta?
To cook feta pasta, start by adding water to a skillet and cooking until the pasta becomes brothy and is nearly halfway done. Next, remove the skillet from the heat and place thick slabs of feta over the pasta. Bake the dish until the pasta is fully cooked, then briefly broil it to char the feta, imparting a rich color and toasty flavor. Finally, garnish with tender herbs to freshen up the dish, resulting in a delightful culinary creation ready to impress.
Where does pasta with chickpeas come from?
Pasta with chickpeas, known as pasta e ceci in Italian, originates from Rome and southern Italy, regions where chickpeas thrive. This hearty dish is a staple of Italian cuisine, cherished for its simplicity and nutritional value. It is commonly prepared as a vegetarian option, reflecting the culinary tradition of utilizing local ingredients to create flavorful and wholesome meals. Whether it’s a cherished family recipe passed down through generations or a quick weeknight dinner, pasta e ceci continues to delight palates around the world with its rich history and abundance of vegetables.
How to make chickpea pasta taste good?
What’s in chickpea pasta?
Chickpea pasta is crafted from ground chickpeas, typically processed into flour. While some brands solely utilize chickpea flour, others incorporate additional ingredients such as lentil flour, brown rice flour, tapioca starch, xanthan gum, and pea protein or starch to enhance texture and nutritional profile. This versatile pasta alternative comes in various shapes, ranging from spaghetti and rotini to penne, offering a gluten-free option rich in protein and fiber for pasta lovers seeking a nutritious twist.
