Chickpeas all’Arrabbiata

Published April 16, 2025

Chickpeas all’Arrabbiata
Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Cyd Raftus McDowell.
Total Time
35 minutes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Rating
5(429)
Comments
Read comments

A quick rummage through the pantry brings these saucy beans to life in this humble meal that leans on the power of a few dusty cans that may be lingering on your shelves. Let chickpeas swim in this fiery, garlic-heavy arrabbiata sauce built from canned tomatoes and they take on the vibes of the best slow-simmered red sauce classics in a fraction of the time. Slip a pan of no-stir creamy polenta into the oven before getting the beans started and it will be ready to catch every drop of sauce, but you could also toss the chickpeas with pasta or simply spoon them over toast.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings 
  • ¼cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1teaspoon crushed red pepper, plus more as desired
  • 1(28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
  • 2(15- to 16-ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed
  • Salt
  • No-stir polenta (optional)
  • Freshly shaved Parmesan cheese (optional), for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

467 calories; 20 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 11 grams monounsaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 58 grams carbohydrates; 18 grams dietary fiber; 14 grams sugars; 18 grams protein; 1015 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-low. Add the garlic and red pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is very fragrant and the garlic is just beginning to turn pale golden (you don’t want it to brown), about 5 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Add the tomatoes and their juices, increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and continue to simmer, breaking up the tomatoes into small pieces with a wooden spoon, for 10 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Stir in the chickpeas, season with salt, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened, about 15 minutes more.

  4. Step 4

    Taste and season with additional salt and crushed red pepper, as needed. If you’d like, serve over polenta and garnish with Parmesan.

Ratings

5 out of 5
429 user ratings
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Comments

"Dusty" cans of chickpeas in your pantry? Not a chance. Chickpeas are just about the most versatile and multi-use thing in your pantry, and can be added to (almost) anything, and serve a as a great substitute for a variety of things (as in this recipe) as well - with health benefits galore. If you had to worry about anything, it would be replenishing the cans in your pantry fast enough to keep pace with your use. But wiping dust off of them? Never.

I make a vegan Pomodoro recipe that’s a lot like this that adds 1.5 tsp fennel seeds to the mix and a good handful of Tuscan kale at the end. Really, really good.

In case Rachel doesn’t see the request, I bet it’s this one: https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/chickpeas-and-kale-in-spicy-pomodoro-sauce “ In 2018, Food & Wine named this recipe one of our 40 best: Here, chef Missy Robbins of Brooklyn's award-winning Lilia restaurant turns classic pasta al pomodoro on its head.”

Added chopped artichokes (from frozen, thawed, roasted in oven) that needed using up. Simple and tasty.

Made as written but added a head of dino kale. Delicious!

Swapping the red pepper flakes for chopped Calabrian chiles adds an additional layer of flavor along with the spice.

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