Chickpeas are one of those things I nearly always have a can of in the cupboard, but I never used to do an awful lot with them. It turns out there are so many easy ways to turn them into a proper dinner though, and they’re great when you want something filling without spending loads.
So I’ve rounded up 25 chickpea dinner recipes to give you plenty of ideas. There are curries, cozy soups and stews, pasta dishes, tacos, casseroles and even falafel wraps. Basically, lots of easy dinners that make a humble can of chickpeas a whole lot more interesting.
1. Marry Me Chickpeas
Image credit: My Money Cottage
This is such a good one when you fancy something creamy and comforting but still really easy. The sauce is rich, garlicky and full of flavor, and it all comes together quickly for a simple meatless dinner that definitely doesn’t feel boring.
GET THE RECIPE2. Broccoli Cheddar Chickpea Noodle Casserole
Image credit: Kitchen Treaty
This is a proper cozy dinner for those nights when you just want something warm and cheesy. The chickpeas make it nice and filling, while the broccoli and noodles are all mixed through that lovely creamy cheddar sauce.
GET THE RECIPE3. Chickpea Tikka Masala
Image credit: Unique Cooks
A meatless version of a takeaway favorite, and it’s surprisingly easy to make at home. The chickpeas are cooked in a rich, creamy, spiced tomato sauce that’s just asking for a big pile of rice and some naan on the side.
GET THE RECIPE4. Crispy Falafel Wraps with Tzatziki
Image credit: My Money Cottage
These are a nice change when you want something a bit fresher for dinner. The falafel is lovely and crispy, then it all gets wrapped up with salad and plenty of cool, creamy tzatziki.
GET THE RECIPE5. Crispy Chickpea Tacos
Image credit: Recipes from a Pantry
These are perfect for an easy taco night and a fun way to use up a can of chickpeas. Get them nice and crispy, load up your tortillas with whatever toppings you fancy and dinner is done.
GET THE RECIPE6. Butternut Squash Chickpea Curry
Image credit: Flavour Streat
This is a lovely one for a chilly night when you want something warm and filling. The butternut squash works so well with the chickpeas and curry sauce, and it’s the sort of dinner that’s even better with some rice or naan to mop everything up.
GET THE RECIPE7. Chickpea and Sun-Dried Tomato Risotto
Image credit: The VGF Table
The sun-dried tomatoes add loads of flavor to this one and go so well with the chickpeas. It’s creamy, filling and a nice way to make risotto a little bit different.
GET THE RECIPE8. Sausage and Chickpea Stew
Image credit: Kalyn’s Kitchen
If you want something a bit more hearty, the sausage in this one makes it a proper filling dinner. It’s packed with chickpeas and tomatoes too, with plenty of lovely sauce for mopping up with some crusty bread.
GET THE RECIPE9. Chickpea Meatballs
Image credit: Healthy Recipes 101
Here’s a fun way to swap out the usual meatballs and try something a bit different. Serve them with spaghetti and plenty of tomato sauce for an easy dinner that still feels really familiar.
GET THE RECIPE10. Tomato Chickpea Curry
Image credit: Home Cooking Collective
This is a nice simple one for nights when you don’t want anything too complicated. It’s all cooked in one pot with a rich tomato sauce and plenty of spices, then you can just add rice or naan and call it dinner.
GET THE RECIPE11. Mediterranean Chickpea & Eggplant Casserole
Image credit: Chef’s Pencil
Eggplant and chickpeas are such a good combination for a simple dinner like this. Everything bakes together with tomatoes and Mediterranean flavors, so there’s not loads of fuss involved either.
GET THE RECIPE12. Crockpot Pumpkin Chickpea Curry
Image credit: Two Pink Peonies
This is a good one to chuck in the slow cooker in the morning and forget about until dinner time. Pumpkin and chickpeas make it nice and filling, and it’s perfect served with rice and a bit of naan on the side.
GET THE RECIPE13. Creamy Harissa Chickpeas Bowl
Image credit: Cinnamon Snail
If you like a bit of heat, this is a really easy way to make chickpeas more interesting. The creamy harissa sauce has loads of flavor, and you can add rice and your favorite toppings to make it into a really filling bowl.
GET THE RECIPE14. Chickpea Tacos
Image credit: Healthy Recipes 101
Taco night doesn’t have to mean using meat, and this is a really easy alternative. Load up the tortillas with the chickpea filling, add whatever toppings you have in the fridge and you’ve got a quick dinner everyone can build themselves.
GET THE RECIPE15. Moroccan Sweet Potato Soup with Harissa, Chickpeas & Kale
Image credit: Cinnamon Snail
Sweet potato and chickpeas make this super hearty, so it’s definitely filling enough for dinner. There’s a little kick from the harissa, plenty of kale thrown in too, and it’s just the thing for a cold evening.
GET THE RECIPE16. Fregola Sarda with Chickpeas and Tomato
Image credit: The Pasta Project
Here’s something a little different if you’re getting bored of the usual pasta dishes. The chickpeas and tomatoes are mixed with tiny pieces of fregola pasta for an easy, hearty dinner with loads of flavor.
GET THE RECIPE17. Tuscan Chickpea and Pasta Soup
Image credit: The Pasta Project
This is the sort of soup that feels like a proper meal rather than just a light lunch. With pasta and chickpeas in the mix, it’s lovely and hearty and perfect with a chunk of crusty bread on the side.
GET THE RECIPE18. Mediterranean Chickpea Stew with Eggplant, Tomato & Sage
Image credit: Cook Me Free
You don’t need loads of ingredients to make a really good stew, and this one is super simple. The eggplant, tomatoes and chickpeas all cook together with sage for an easy dinner that’s great with some crusty bread.
GET THE RECIPE19. Indian Potato Curry with Chickpeas, Onion & Tomato
Image credit: Cook Me Free
This is a great one when you’ve got a few potatoes and a can of chickpeas to use up. Everything cooks together with onion, tomatoes and plenty of spices, and it makes a really filling dinner without needing anything fancy.
GET THE RECIPE20. Instant Pot Chole Masala
Image credit: Profusion Curry
The Instant Pot does most of the work with this one, which is always a bonus on a busy night. You end up with tender chickpeas in a really flavorful, spiced sauce that’s perfect spooned over rice.
GET THE RECIPE21. Chickpea Stew with Chorizo
Image credit: Happy Foods Tube
The chorizo gives this one loads of flavor without you having to do much at all. Add the chickpeas and you’ve got a hearty, warming stew that’s made for scooping up with plenty of crusty bread.
GET THE RECIPE22. Easy Hearty Chickpea Soup
Image credit: Recipes from a Pantry
Some nights you just want a big bowl of soup and a chunk of bread for dinner. This one is packed with chickpeas and veggies, so it’s hearty enough to fill you up without being complicated to make.
GET THE RECIPE23. Vegan Walnut Chickpea Meatballs with Calabrian Chilies
Image credit: Cinnamon Snail
These are a bit different from your usual meatballs, with walnuts and chickpeas making up the base and Calabrian chilies adding a little heat. Add some pasta and sauce and you’ve got a really tasty meatless dinner.
GET THE RECIPE24. General Tso’s Chickpeas
Image credit: Strength and Sunshine
This is a fun one if you fancy something a bit like takeout without actually ordering it. The chickpeas are coated in that sticky, sweet and slightly spicy sauce and are so good served over a big pile of rice.
GET THE RECIPE25. Chana Chole Masala
Image credit: Not Quite Nigella
If you love a good curry, this is another easy one to add to the list. The chickpeas are cooked in a lovely spiced tomato and onion sauce, and all you really need alongside is some rice or warm naan.
GET THE RECIPEHopefully you’ve found a few new ways to use up those cans of chickpeas sitting in the cupboard! There’s loads to choose from here, whether you fancy a curry, a big bowl of soup, tacos or something a bit different. Chickpeas are cheap, filling and so easy to cook with, so they’re definitely worth keeping on hand for those nights when you’re not quite sure what to make.
