Chickpeas in Tomato Sauce

Next time you are looking for a quick meal that's hearty, nutritious and easy, then give these chickpeas in tomato sauce a try! All you need are jarred marinara sauce, canned chickpeas, a few veggies and spices of choice. They pair well with rice or bread, plus can be done within 25 min. Perfect weeknight dinner for busy days!

Recently, I have been on a roll for quick vegan meals that don't require much effort to whip up together.

My recent favorite speedy dinners are this Vietnamese noodle dish and this quick harissa tofu avocado bowl. And since I had some extra cans of chickpeas and a jar of marinara sauce, I made these yummy yet ultra-simple chickpeas in tomato sauce for dinner and that was surprisingly satisfying and delicious.

This recipe comes together within 20-25 minutes, and is SO versatile. It makes for a more nutrient-dense way to enjoy jarred sauce and you can use your favorite store-bought marinara sauce (or make your own marinara from scratch). You can serve the saucy chickpeas over bowls with rice or simply with a side of crusty bread.

Perfect speedy meal for hectic nights that's inexpensive, healthy and full of flavor!

In this case, I added some kale for a bit of greens and a nice chewy bite, but you can really get creative with this easy recipe and add any veggies that you have or like.

Let me know if you give it a try! ❤️

Why you should try this recipe

• So easy and quick
• Packed with flavors and very satisfying!
• Ultra versatile and the perfect meal to add tons of veggies
• Uses simple ingredients that are mostly pantry-friendly
• Delicious way to eat more beans
• Vegan, vegetarian and healthy

Ingredients you will need

(more details on the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post)

• Marinara sauce: you can make your own marinara sauce from scratch or use jarred marinara if looking for a super easy meal. Some store-bought marinara are healthier than others, depending on the amount of added oils and salt, so check on the packaging to find what you are looking for. Rao's marinara is packed with flavor, but has more oil and salt than other brands. There is this healthier oil-free marinara sauce from the brand 365 that we also like when looking for something lighter.
• Tomato sauce: you will need a small can of tomato sauce (8 ounces). It adds a more concentrated tomato flavor to the sauce.
• Onion: I used a small yellow onion, sweet onion is great too.
• Garlic: use fresh garlic and add as much as you want! Garlic adds lots of flavor, so don't skip it.
• Spices: I included a mix of paprika (sweet or smoked) and dried oregano, but you can use any spices that you like, such as dried basil and red pepper flakes.
• Chickpeas: you will need 2 cans of chickpeas for this recipe. Using cans makes it super convenient, but you can also cook the chickpeas from scratch.
• Kale: adds a nice chewy bite and more nutrition. You can swap for spinach for a milder flavor and texture (might work better for kids).

How to make chickpeas in tomato sauce

(the full recipe is in the recipe card at the end of this post)

Cook the aromatics

Warm up a large non-stick pan with a little oil and add the onion with a pinch of salt. Cook on medium-high heat stirring often for 5-7 minutes. Then, add the garlic, paprika and oregano. Stir to coat the onion, then cook for 2 more minutes.

Simmer

Add the marinara sauce, tomato sauce and chickpeas. Stir and cook on medium heat for 10-15 minutes stirring once in a while.

Finish up and serve

Add the kale and stir to combine. Keep cooking until the kale is wilted. If the sauce gets too thick, then add a little water and if the sauce turns too acidic, then add a little maple syrup. Taste and adjust seasonings, then serve warm over rice or with toasted bread.

Helpful tips

• The sauce will significantly thicken while cooking, which is great if you want something hearty and thicker, such as to scoop over rice or use it in sub sandwiches. If you want a saucier texture, then you can add a splash of water or veggie broth at the end.
• The flavor of the sauce will depend on the flavor of the marinara you are using. If you find the final result to lack flavor, then add more paprika and salt and feel free to add some garlic powder or onion powder for a nice boost in taste.

Serving suggestions

You will love how versatile these tomato chickpeas are. Here are a few ways you can serve them:

• Bowls: add them over rice with roasted veggies. We love these already-cooked individualized cups of brown rice for speedy or last-minute meals.
• Pasta: perfect hearty and protein-rich sauce to serve over noodles.
• Sandwiches: works well in sub-style sandwiches. In that case, keep the sauce thicker and sprinkle some vegan parmesan cheese over.

Variations

This is a super simple and straightforward recipe with lots of room for personalization. Feel free to try these variations:

• More veggies: makes for a perfect dish to boost with lots of nutrient-dense veggies. Some great ideas include carrots, zucchini, celery or mushrooms.
• Fresh herbs: this is a great dish to use up your extra fresh herbs from the fridge or the garden. Add a handful of fresh basil, parsley, dill or even mint for a nice flavor enhancement.
• Flavor booster: feel free to add some vegan Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoked, a little touch of maple syrup (if the sauce ends up being too acidic) or red pepper flakes (for a little heat).

Storage tips

This tomato chickpea recipe is amazing for meal prep and stores very well. Transfer the chickpeas into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

You can add a splash of water if it gets thicker while storing and use the microwave or the stove to reheat.

More quick dinner recipes to try

• Kale wraps with chickpeas
• Healthy vegetable stir fry
• Creamy braised white beans
• Turmeric fried rice
• Butter bean stew
• Easy pan-fried tempeh
• Loubia (Moroccan white bean stew)
• Bok choy tofu stir fry
• Vegan jackfruit wraps with black beans

I hope you like these chickpeas in tomato sauce as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!

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📖 Recipe