Description
A vibrant and easy one-pan orecchiette pasta dish featuring hearty chickpeas, tangy Kalamata olives, sweet cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs, all cooked together to create a flavorful, saucy meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Legumes
- 12 ounces orecchiette
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1-2 handfuls baby arugula
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives
Pantry Items and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4-1/2 cups water
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan plus more for serving
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Put the orecchiette, chickpeas, olives, tomato paste, sliced garlic, rosemary sprigs, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, black pepper, olive oil, and water into a large sauté pan or skillet.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat as needed and cook, stirring frequently, for 10-12 minutes until the water reduces into a flavorful sauce and the orecchiette is al dente. Add more water in 1/4-cup increments if the sauce reduces too quickly before the pasta is fully cooked.
- Final Touches: Remove and discard the rosemary sprigs. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, baby arugula, halved cherry tomatoes, and fresh chives to combine. The residual heat will gently wilt the greens and warm the tomatoes.
- Serve: Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese before serving for extra richness and flavor.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat with a little oil, then stir in fresh arugula leaves to refresh the dish.
- Leftovers can also be eaten cold as a pasta salad; add fresh lettuce and a splash of vinaigrette for a tasty variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
