One Pot Chickpea Pasta and Meatless Meatballs
This recipe features meatless meatballs made with a combination of plant-based proteins and flavorful seasonings. The "meatless meatballs" are tender and satisfying, while the chickpea pasta adds a boost of plant-based protein. The tomato sauce adds a delicious and classic flavor. This is a hearty and flavorful plant-based meal that is sure to please vegans and non-vegans alike.
Ingredients
- 1 Package Simply Nature Chickpea Rotini (12 oz) Can replace with you favorite pasta
- 1 Jar Simple Nature Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce Can swap with another jarred sauce or homemade
- 15 Meatballs Earth Grown Meatless Meatballs Can swap with regular meatballs (precooked)
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil (optional)
- 3 Cloves Fresh Garlic (mince or use a garlic press) (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot boil about 5 cups water (will be drained later), add salt if you want
- Cook chickpea pasta about 5 minutes until al dente. Follow package instructions if using a different pasta.
- Reserve 1 cup pasta water. Strain pasta, rinse with cold water if using chickpea pasta or if you are making pasta ahead of time and set aside. If using regular pasta do not rinse, you can drizzle some olive oil on it to prevent sticking.
- (Optional step): In the same pan over low-medium heat add olive oil and garlic. Cook until fragrant and then add meatballs and cook for about 3 minutes.
- Over low to medium heat add the pasta sauce to the same pan. If you skipped step 4 add your meatballs now.
- Cook meatless meatballs in the sauce for 10-15 minutes until cooked through and hot in the center.
- If the sauce starts to get too thick add some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time to thin it out.
- Once the meatballs are finished cooking add the pasta back to the pot and stir to incorporate. You can also put the pasta on a plate and top with sauce if you prefer.
- You can add any optional toppings now. Some good options are cheese, vegan cheese, red pepper flakes, fresh basil, or black pepper.
Notes
This is just a general guideline for making this meal. Each ingredient can be swapped out with what you like or what you have in hand. You can keep it vegan, vegetarian, or swap out the meatless meatballs to regular meatballs. You make it fully gluten free if you swap out the meatless meatballs for a gluten free option.