Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Chickpeas

Indulge in this Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta recipe tonight. It's rich, creamy, hearty, and packed with protein. Vegan, Gluten-Free option, Oil-Free option.

Course Main, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Method Stovetop

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Servings people

Calories 480kcal

Author Caitlin Shoemaker

Ingredients

For the Cashew Cream:

1/2 cup raw cashews soaked*
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for pasta
1 cup water

For the Pasta:

8 ounces dry pasta gluten-free if necessary
1 tablespoon olive oil*
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
1 tablespoon capers
8 ounces cremini mushrooms sliced
3 cloves garlic minced
1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil roughly chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 15.5 ounce can chickpeas drained and rinsed
4 ounces baby spinach
Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make the Cashew Cream: Add the soaked cashews to a high-speed blender along with the tomato paste, salt, and water. Blend on high for 30-45 seconds, until smooth. Set aside.
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to the package instructions. Once the pasta water begins to foam, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta once cooked, but do not rinse.
Sauté: Warm the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the red pepper flakes (if using) and capers and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, until sizzling. Add the mushrooms to the pan and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they have darkened and released most of their liquid.
Add Seasonings: Add the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and basil to the pan and sauté for 2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant.
Make it Saucy: Add the chickpeas the the blended cashew cream sauce to the pan and mix well. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then add in 1/2 cup (120 ml) of the reserved pasta water and stir well. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Final Touches: Add the spinach and drained pasta to the sauce and mix well, cooking until the spinach has wilted. If the sauce is to thick for your liking you can thin it out with the additional reserved pasta water.
Serve & Store: Serve warm, topped with fresh basil or as desired. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

Olive Oil: I like to use the oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes for an extra flavor boost!
Cashews: You can soak your cashews in water overnight in the fridge, or cover with boiling water and let sit for at least 30 minutes before using. For a nut-free option, use sunflower seeds instead of cashews!

Nutrition