Zesty Chickpeas and Shells

Brighten up your dinner table with this vibrant and satisfying recipe for Zesty Chickpeas and Shells! This quick and easy dish combines tender pasta shells with protein-packed chickpeas, all enveloped in a light, citrusy garlic-lemon sauce spiced with red pepper flakes. Fresh parsley and a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese elevate the flavors, making every bite irresistible. With only 25 minutes from prep to plate, this vegetarian recipe is perfect for busy weeknights yet elegant enough for guests. Serve it as a hearty main or a flavorful side that pairs beautifully with roasted veggies or a crisp green salad. Discover how this simple yet bold dish can become a staple in your recipe rotation!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces pasta shells
• 15 ounces canned chickpeas
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 units garlic cloves
• 1 unit lemon
• 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 0.25 cups fresh parsley
• 0.33 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 cups pasta cooking water

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, drain and rinse the canned chickpeas under cold water. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.

Step 4

Zest the lemon and then juice it. Add the lemon zest, half of the lemon juice, and the red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir and cook for 30 seconds.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and add the chickpeas to the skillet. Stir to coat them in the lemon-garlic mixture, and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through.

Step 6

Add the cooked pasta shells to the skillet. Gradually incorporate the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, to create a light sauce that coats the pasta and chickpeas.

Step 7

Stir in the fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more lemon juice or salt if needed.

Step 8

Serve the Zesty Chickpeas and Shells immediately, garnished with additional parsley and Parmesan if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1163 grams (1163.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2128

Total Fat 62.80g	81%
Saturated Fat 12.80g	64%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 26mg	9%
Sodium 4067mg	177%
Total Carbohydrate 330.80g	120%
Dietary Fiber 37.30g	133%
Total Sugars 24.50g
Protein 73.00g	146%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 558mg	43%
Iron 18mg	102%
Potassium 1009mg	21%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 25.9%

Protein: 13.4%

Carbs: 60.7%