A one stop meal to get you through those busy moments. Chickpeas in spicy smoked tomato sauce with penne is easy, quick and amazing!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Simply Organic. The opinions and text are all mine.
Holiday season is a busy one. That’s the understatement of the year. Between the regular tasks of school, kids, life…adding in all that you need to prepare for the holidays can send you over the edge.
This is why I come to you with a little carrot of hope. A recipe for chickpeas in spicy smoked tomato sauce with penne, that is not only simple and easy to make, but a one stop meal with all you need to get those nutrients into your body! Protein, veggies and bursting with flavor. Check! P.S, you can take the spice out to make it kid friendly.
When Simply Organic came to me to work with them in their Thursday Moments campaign I knew right away I needed to take the job. Not only do I LOVE Simply Organic spices, but their campaign themed around finding time to sit and enjoy your family during this crazy time of year hits the nail on the head for me. It’s not just about getting good food on the table. It’s about enjoying that food with those you love.
Spend Time With The Ones You Love And Easy Delicious Food!
Being present. Being together. Leaving the mobile devices aside and having a meal. I mean really having a meal. The best thing about this spicy smoked tomato sauce, is that it’s quick, simple and easy. Leaves you more time to spend with your family, those you love. Lets give it up for togetherness and fun!
So what will your Thursday Moment be?
I’m thinking this recipe for chickpeas in spicy (or not) smoked tomato sauce with penne is in your future. Head over to Simply Organic to learn more about their campaign, perhaps pick up some of their amazing spices to make this recipe, enter their giveaway (YES GIVEAWAY!) and let’s celebrate time with those we love! I’m thinking in our world today, we all need to spread a little love…

- 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
- 1 1/4 cups chickpeas (15 ounce can)
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried Simply Organic Oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried Simply Organic Thyme
- 2-3 teaspoons Simply Organic Smoked Paprika depending on how smoky you like it
- 1-3 teaspoons Simply Organic Crushed Red Pepper depending on how spicy you like it
- 1/2 teaspoon salt divided
- 6 cups spinach
- 16 ounces of your favorite penne pasta
- 20-30 roasted garlic cloves for toping (optional)
- Hemp almond parmesan to top optional
Roast garlic by mixing with a splash of veggie broth and some salt. Wrap in tin foil , and/or parchment and roast at 400°F (200°C) degrees for 20-25 minutes until garlic is browning and looks caramelized.
- Chop onions. Pulse chickpeas in a food processor until coarsely chopped, only 2-3 times. You can also crush them a bit with your hands if you prefer.
- Saute onions and ¼ teaspoon salt in a pan over medium heat until they begin to brown and get fragrant. Add chickpeas and tomato paste and sauté a few more minutes.
- Add crushed tomatoes and spices and mix again for a few minutes. Add spinach and rest of salt, cover and cook about 10 minutes. Mix to make it saucy. It will be thick versus a thinner marinara type of sauce.
- Meanwhile cook your penne according to package directions and make Hemp Almond Parmesan.
- Mix penne and sauce, then serve topped with roasted garlic and Hemp Almond Parmesan.
- You can control how smoky or spicy you want this dish by putting less of more of the spices in. The optional garlic and parmesan are highly recommended as they make this meal even tastier.
- I give directions on roasting garlic in the instruction section.
- Tips to prep ahead: Wash spinach and chop onion.
- Baby/kid food idea: Remove crushed red pepper so it isn’t spicy.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Simply Organic. The opinions and text are all mine.
Kearney says
I am wanting to try vegan recipes and this looks like the place to start! I’m trying keto but the amount of cheese is killing me! (Not to mention breaking me out!) These look AMAZING!
veggiesdontbite says
Hi Kearney! I don’t know much about keto, and really any other of the diets out there, I just create recipes that we love using plant based whole foods! This is one of my favorites because it is so flavorful!
Mary says
I love your recipes But it’s so difficult to read the recipes due to the print being so light. Could anything be done to make it easier to read. Thanks
veggiesdontbite says
Hi Mary, sorry you’re having trouble reading it. This is the way my theme was designed so unless I go in and code it to pitch black, then it is what it is. Some people prefer the dark grey because it’s not as harsh on the eyes as black so it really is just a personal preference. You can try printing it out and reading it instead, adjusting the brightness and/or contrast on your screen or even highlighting the text with your cursor and tell your computer to read it out loud.
Sue says
Thanks for sharing this amazing-looking recipe! I’m literally DROOLING right now & I can’t wait to try it! What size can of chick peas do you use?
Thanks again!
veggiesdontbite says
Hi Sue! You’ll love it! The brand I use has 15 ounce cans but it’s fine to use anywhere between 15-16 ounce cans. It won’t make a huge difference. I hope you love it as much as we do!
PamyB says
This sounds REALLY good. As a newbie, do you think frozen spinach would work in this dish?
veggiesdontbite says
Hi! Thank you so much! It’s really tasty. Yes, you definitely could try frozen spinach. The flavor may be a little stronger since fresh spinach has a more mild spinach flavor, but it would work. Don’t put in 6 cups though, I’d start with 2 or 3 and add more if you want. Hope you like it!
Vegan Heaven says
Wow! This looks fantastic. An easy pasta dish is just perfect for the stressful days before Christmas. 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Sina!
Nicole Dawson says
I can always count on you for amazing pasta dishes!
veggiesdontbite says
Awe! Thanks Nicole!!
Dreena Burton says
I have a spice crush with smoked paprika, lol! It’s just one of those most irresistible spices, I keep returning to it. This dish looks WONDERFUL, Sophia. Healthy and comforting all together!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Dreena! I think I may have a problem, with smoked paprika. I don’t want help, but I can admit my extreme addiction so that’s step one right?
Alisa Fleming says
This looks just lovely Sophia! I’ve got a full rack of Simply Organic spices and I must say, the smoked paprika really gets a workout! I love it in rich tomato dishes like this.
veggiesdontbite says
I think I may have a smoked paprika addiction…
Molly Kumar says
This looks like a perfect winter meal and quick too. I love the combination of spices used to make the tomato sauce and I’m sure with chickpeas the pasta would taste yum!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Molly!! It’s such a great combo!
Nisha @ Honey What's Cooking says
Looks delicious. I probably can only handle 1.5 tsp of spice. 🙂
I love Simply Organic products, it’s the only brand I use.
veggiesdontbite says
You can add as much as you want! And Simply Organic is the best!
Uma says
Perfect for this season! Right now I am hungry 😉
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Uma!
Aimee | Wallflower Kitchen says
Drooling over here right now. I love spicy smoky flavours so this is right up my alley 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
I’ll get you a bib! LOL Thank you Aimee!
Mandy says
Spicy, smoky, and loads of garlic!!! My kinda meal! Sophia, this looks and sounds absolutely wonderful. You’re like the queen of comfort food…healthy comfort food ❤️ Adding this to my list!! xo
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Mandy! I think you’ll love this one!
Jenn says
This is the perfect cold weather pasta dish. I love sneaking beans into unsuspecting dishes. And anything with smoky flavors in a winner in my book!
veggiesdontbite says
So cozy!! I use beans so much, so flavorful and hearty. Thanks Jenn!
Linda @ Veganosity says
Simple pasta dishes are perfect for the busy holiday season. This looks great! I use Simply Organic spices and love them, they taste so much fresher than the other jarred spices.
veggiesdontbite says
Don’t they though?! I did a comparison and these won out big time!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
meals such as this one is a huge life saver .. as a matter of fact, im off to make pasta for lunch!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you!! Such a great lunch. YUM
The Vegan 8 says
Omg, I literally made some similar like this for lunch on a whim with what I had left in my fridge, but I used rice and added lots of chili powder and smoked paprika. I’m totally going to have to try this…so many of my favorite ingredients! 20-30 garlic cloves….now THAT is what I’m talking about, haha! No such thing as too much garlic, ever! This is such a beautiful and easy dish!
veggiesdontbite says
I made versions of this forever before posting! So easy to throw together. And spicy and smoky, does it get any better?! The roasted garlic topping was one of my new inventions, it is SO good!! You’d love it!! Not to mention so healthy. Thanks mama!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
Simply Organic is my favorite brand of spices. And I love chickpeas and pasta!
veggiesdontbite says
Mine too!! On both accounts!
Sarah says
What an awesome make-ahead vegetarian dish! I’m loving it and can’t wait to try the recipe out!!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Sarah!!
Suchi @elegantmeraki says
Hmm chickpea with pasta never thought about it but chickpeas can never hurt so why not!!!
veggiesdontbite says
Oh I have chickpeas in my pasta all the time! Great protein and super hearty and tasty. In fact we use them for just about anything!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
This sounds like a healthy, hearty meal – I love chickpeas anyway, but mixed with the tomatoes and spices, it almost reminds me of chili!
veggiesdontbite says
Yes! Super hearty like a chili!
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
I love Simply Organic spices!!! I have a cabinet full of them 😀
And this recipes sounds AMAZING!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you! Aren’t they amazing?!
Jovita @ Yummy Addiction says
That’s a perfect meatless dinner! I don’t know about my hubby but I am surely making this one!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you!! It’s filling for sure!
Mel |avirtualvegan.com says
What a lovely, simple, tasty family meal. I love the Simply Organic Spices and smoked paprika is my favourite. I like your tip for adding roasted garlic to the top too. That sounds perfect!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Mel!! I love the roasted garlic on top. SO good!
Becky Striepe says
What a creative way to sneak more chickpeas into your day!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Becky!
Hauke Fox says
Chickpeas in a good sauce are excellent! I use them for so many of my recipes 😀
Of course you’ll need some good spices too!
veggiesdontbite says
Yes!! I love them! Thanks Hauke!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
This is a perfect pasta dish I know I’d love! Spicy smoky tomato sauce? Just give me a spoon and bowl of THAT!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Rebecca! Spicy smoky has me all smiles too! LOL