Marry Me Chickpeas

Imagine a dish so rich, creamy, and deeply satisfying that it earns a marriage proposal at the dinner table. Marry Me Chickpeas is that dish — a velvety, sun-dried tomato and garlic-infused chickpea recipe that delivers bold Italian-inspired flavors in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re cooking for date night or a cozy weeknight dinner, this plant-based showstopper is irresistible from the very first bite. You’ll learn how to make this dish perfectly, including pro tips, variations, and storage advice.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Marry Me Chickpeas is the kind of meal that makes people stop mid-bite and ask for the recipe. The sauce is luxuriously creamy, tangy from sun-dried tomatoes, and gently spiced with red chili flakes and oregano. Every spoonful delivers tender chickpeas bathed in a rich, savory broth that clings to crusty bread, pasta, or rice like a dream.

What makes this recipe truly special is how effortlessly it comes together. With simple pantry staples and one pan, you have a complete, satisfying meal in about 20 minutes. It’s entirely vegan, packed with plant-based protein, and naturally gluten-free. The creamy sun-dried tomato chickpea dish is endlessly versatile — serve it as a main course or a hearty side. Once you try this marry me chickpeas recipe, it’s guaranteed to become a permanent fixture in your weekly rotation.

Ingredients List for the Marry Me Chickpeas

These simple, wholesome ingredients come together to create an unforgettable creamy chickpea dish. Most items are pantry staples you likely already have on hand.

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 5 cloves garlic (minced)

• 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes (chopped)

• 1/2 teaspoon oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

• (2) 15-ounce cans chickpeas (drained and rinsed)

• 1 cup vegetable broth

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 1 cup vegan cream (See Notes)

• 2 cups baby spinach (sliced)

• 4-5 fresh basil leaves (chopped)

• Optional: 1/2 cup grated vegan parmesan cheese (I used Violife)

Pro Tips for Perfect Marry Me Chickpeas

These three techniques will take your Marry Me Chickpeas from good to absolutely unforgettable every single time.

Toast your garlic low and slow. Garlic is the flavor backbone of this dish. Cooking it over low-medium heat for the full 1-2 minutes ensures it becomes fragrant and golden without burning. Burnt garlic will turn the entire sauce bitter, so keep a close eye and stir frequently.

Don’t skip the simmer. Allowing the chickpeas to simmer gently in the broth and cream for the full 5 minutes is essential. This step allows the flavors to meld together deeply and lets the sauce thicken to that luscious, coating consistency that makes this dish so crave-worthy.

Add basil and parmesan off heat. Once you remove the pan from heat, stir in the fresh basil and vegan parmesan immediately. Adding these ingredients off heat preserves the bright, aromatic flavor of the basil and prevents the parmesan from clumping or becoming grainy in the sauce.

Instructions

Follow these straightforward steps to make Marry Me Chickpeas from start to finish.

Step 1: In a large sauté pan over low-medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

Step 2: Stir in the sun dried tomatoes, oregano, red chili flakes, salt and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute.

Step 3: Now add the chickpeas, broth, tomato paste, cream and spinach and stir well. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes, until warm and the spinach has wilted. Taste; add more salt, pepper or red pepper flakes as desired.

Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in the fresh basil and grated parmesan. Serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping, or on top of cooked rice, pasta or even a baked sweet potato. Enjoy!

Variations

One of the best things about this creamy sun-dried tomato chickpea recipe is how easily it adapts to different tastes and dietary needs.

Add Extra Greens: Swap baby spinach for kale or Swiss chard for a heartier, more robust texture. Simply add the tougher greens a minute or two earlier in Step 3 to give them enough time to wilt down properly into the sauce.

Make It Spicier: If you love bold heat, double the red chili flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper in Step 2. The creamy sauce beautifully balances the spice, making it warm without being overwhelming.

Add Mushrooms: For an even meatier, more umami-rich version of Marry Me Chickpeas, sauté sliced cremini or button mushrooms in the olive oil before adding the garlic. This adds wonderful depth and makes the dish even more hearty and satisfying as a standalone meal.

Storage and Serving

Storing Leftovers: Allow your Marry Me Chickpeas to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers incredibly delicious. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of vegetable broth to loosen the sauce if needed.

Serving Suggestions: This dish is wonderfully versatile. Serve it over fluffy cooked rice, al dente pasta, or creamy mashed potatoes for a complete and filling meal. It’s equally spectacular spooned into a warm baked sweet potato or scooped up with thick slices of crusty sourdough bread for dipping into that irresistible sauce.

FAQs

What is vegan cream and what can I use?
Vegan cream refers to any plant-based heavy cream alternative. Full-fat coconut cream, cashew cream, or store-bought oat-based cooking cream all work beautifully in this recipe and deliver that luxuriously thick, rich sauce.

Can I use dried chickpeas instead of canned?
Yes, you can. Cook dried chickpeas according to package directions until completely tender before using. You’ll need approximately 3 cups of cooked chickpeas to replace the two cans called for in this Marry Me Chickpeas recipe.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, Marry Me Chickpeas is naturally gluten-free as written. Just ensure your vegetable broth and vegan cream are certified gluten-free if you have a serious sensitivity or allergy.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely. This creamy chickpea dish reheats wonderfully, making it a great meal prep option. Prepare it fully, store it in the refrigerator, and gently reheat on the stovetop before serving.

What can I serve with Marry Me Chickpeas?
This dish pairs beautifully with crusty bread, steamed rice, pasta, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad. It works both as a satisfying main course and as a hearty, flavorful side dish alongside other plant-based mains.

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