Creamy Marry Me Chickpeas (Printable)

Creamy chickpeas simmered with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and herbs in a savory sauce

# What You'll Need:

→ Chickpeas & Vegetables

01 - 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
05 - 2 cups baby spinach, loosely packed

→ Sauce

06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
12 - 1/2 cup vegetable broth
13 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
14 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Finish

15 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
16 - Zest of 1 lemon

# How To Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, basil, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add sun-dried tomatoes and chickpeas; sauté for another 2 minutes to combine flavors.
04 - Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Reduce heat to low, stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
06 - Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2–3 minutes.
07 - Finish with lemon zest and fresh basil. Taste and adjust salt or herbs as needed. Serve warm with crusty bread, over rice, or with pasta.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce impossibly rich and creamy yet comes together in minutes
  • Perfect for those nights when you want something impressive but barely have the energy to chop an onion
  • The sun-dried tomatoes add this umami depth that makes people swear there must be meat involved
02 -
  • The sauce thickens quickly as it cools, so if it looks too thin while cooking, just give it a minute off the heat
  • I once forgot the lemon zest and the dish still worked, but adding it back made me realize how much brightness it actually brings
03 -
  • Use a wide skillet instead of a narrow pot—the evaporation helps concentrate the flavors
  • Let the red pepper flakes bloom in the hot oil for their full spicy potential

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