Pasta And Ceci
A hearty pasta dish with crispy bacon, chickpeas, and a rich tomato sauce, perfect for comforting dinners with bold flavors and a touch of spice.
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon ⓘ
- 1/4 cup olive oil ⓘ
- 2 small onions ⓘ
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic ⓘ
- 2 (15 oz.) cans plum tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 cup tomato juice from plum tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- dash of red wine ⓘ
- 1 can chickpeas ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon rosemary ⓘ
- black pepper ⓘ
- hot crushed red pepper ⓘ
- salt ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons parsley ⓘ
- 6 oz. pasta of choice ⓘ
Instructions
- Render bacon in a quart saucepan until crisp; remove with slotted spoon and leave 4 tablespoons of fat.
- Add olive oil, onion, and garlic; sauté until soft.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato juice, chicken broth, chickpeas, and rosemary.
- Simmer 15 to 20 minutes; add tomato sauce, black pepper, and red pepper to taste, then simmer another 5 to 10 minutes.
- Bring to a boil; add pasta. When pasta is very firm, shut off heat. You may need to add a little water.
- Let stand covered for a minute or two.
- Serve with grated cheese.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, substitute turkey bacon for the traditional bacon. You can also use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian option. If you prefer a spicier dish, add more crushed red pepper. Fresh herbs can enhance the flavor; try adding basil or oregano along with the rosemary. Make sure to taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Pasta and Ceci with a generous sprinkle of grated cheese on top for added richness. It pairs beautifully with a side salad or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside Italian Minestrone Soup for a comforting and hearty dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. You can also microwave individual portions covered with a damp paper towel to keep them moist. This dish also freezes well for up to 2 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pasta And Ceci contains roughly 697 calories, with 18g protein, 86g carbohydrates, and 38g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (95% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (94% of the Daily Value), and iron (65% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2394mg per serving (104% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! You can use any pasta shape you prefer, such as penne, fusilli, or even whole wheat pasta. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time according to the type of pasta you choose to ensure it's cooked to your liking.
Is there a vegetarian option for this dish?
Yes, you can easily make this dish vegetarian by omitting the bacon and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can add more vegetables like spinach or zucchini for added nutrition and flavor.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To make Pasta and Ceci gluten-free, simply substitute the regular pasta with a gluten-free pasta option. Many brands offer great alternatives made from rice, corn, or lentils that will work well in this recipe.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).