Chickpea pasta with broccoli is a quick, healthy vegetarian dinner made in under 20 minutes using simple pantry ingredients. It’s high in protein, naturally gluten-free, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Chickpea Pasta with Broccoli
This Banza chickpea pasta recipe isn’t just easy—it's full of
- High protein & fiber – more filling than regular pasta
- Quick 20-minute meal – perfect for busy weeknights
- Vegan & gluten-free – fits multiple diets
- Light but flavorful – no heavy sauces
Ingredients
Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
- Pasta - I used Banza brand chickpea pasta. This is my favorite high protein vegetarian pasta.
- Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic, broccoli florets, lemon juice and lemon zest. Use basil or parsley for garnish.
- Toasted pine nuts - add great earthy flavor and crisp crunch. You can also use other nuts like toasted almonds, walnuts, cashews or pecans. Skip it altogether if you want to make it nut-free recipe.
- Seasoning : This recipe uses simple seasoning. Olive oil, salt, ground black pepper, Italian Seasoning Mix, and red pepper flakes.
- Optional Garnishes : Try drizzle of Black or white truffle oil on finished dish. It adds a great depth of rich umami flavors. You can also sprinkle grated parmesan cheese (use plant based for vegan) or nutritional yeast.
How to Make Banza Chickpea Pasta Dinner
- Heat the Sauté pan on medium and add oil. Let it warm up for 30 seconds. Add garlic. Let it sizzle for a couple minutes.
- Add broccoli florets and lemon zest to the pan. Sprinkle some salt and sauté on high heat for 3-5 minutes stirring frequently. Add pine nuts and the seasoning. Mix well and turn off the heat.
- Meanwhile cook the chickpea flour pasta per package directions. ( Instant Pot instructions are included in the notes below) Drain the hot water and pasta in a colander.
💡 Pro Tip: Reserve ¼ cup pasta water and add it while tossing—this creates a silky sauce. - Mix cooked pasta with everything. Add ground black pepper, and lemon juice. Toss well. Season with nutritional yeast or cheese and truffle oil if using. Add fresh chopped herbs on top.
- Your super delicious chickpea pasta with lemon broccoli is ready ! Bon Appetit!
How to Cook Chickpea Pasta Perfectly (NOT Mushy)
- Use a large pot with plenty of water
- Stir often (chickpea pasta sticks more)
- Cook 1–2 minutes less than package time
- Drain immediately.
- Rinse briefly after cooking to halt the cooking process and remove excess starch.
- Stick to shorter pasta shapes like shells, penne or rotini, as they hold up better than long strands like spaghetti.
👉 Slightly firm pasta = best texture after mixing.
Best Sauces for Chickpea Pasta
If you want variety, this pasta works with:
- Lemon garlic (this recipe)
- Pesto sauce
- Light tomato sauce
- Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing
👉 Avoid overly heavy sauces—they overpower the nutty flavor.
Is Chickpea Pasta Healthy?
Yes—and yes !
- Higher protein than regular pasta
- More fiber → keeps you full longer
- Naturally gluten-free
- Great for plant-based diets
👉 This makes it ideal for the balanced meals.
Serving Suggestions
Since this pasta also has good servings of veggies, it's a meal on it's own. If you want to make it heartier, pair it with Creamy Mushroom Soup or Creamy Tomato Soup.
You can also serve it with Italian Restaurant style appetizers like Crispy fingerling potatoes , Italian bruschetta , olive tapenade or restaurant style dipping oil with crusty bread.
Zucchini fritters , stuffed mushrooms or stuffed sweet peppers are also great sides to serve along.
How Does Banza Pasta Taste Compared to Regular Pasta?
Banza has a slightly nutty flavor and a firmer texture. It's different from traditional pasta but pairs well with a variety of sauces and ingredients.
Protein Comparison: Chickpea vs Regular Pasta
Pasta made with chickpea flour instead of wheat flour, boasts solid 22 grams of Protein and 8 grams of fiber per 8 oz. pasta box. And it doesn't compromise on taste, texture, or satisfaction that you get from regular pasta.
So, it packs nearly double the protein and four times the fiber of traditional wheat, making it a powerhouse for plant-based satiety. Chickpea versions also offer a superior amino acid profile and a much lower glycemic impact. Per 2 oz (56g) serving: 190 calories, 11g protein, 5g fiber, 34g carbs.
Chickpea pasta meal prep ideas
- Store in airtight container for up to 4 days
- Reheat with a splash of water or broth
- Best enjoyed fresh for ideal texture
Variations You Can Try
- Add mushrooms for an earthy flavor boost
- Toss in spinach or kale for extra greens
- Use pesto instead of garlic oil for a herby twist
- Add sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy kick
❓Banza Pasta Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can cook Banza pasta just like traditional pasta. Simply boil it in salted water according to the package instructions until it reaches your desired level of tenderness. Then, drain and serve with your favorite sauce or toppings for a satisfying meal.
Banza pasta offers significantly higher protein and fiber content compared to traditional pasta made from wheat flour. It boasts solid 22 grams of Protein and 8grams of fiber per 8 oz. pasta box. And it doesn't compromise on taste, texture, or satisfaction that you get from regular pasta.
Yes, Banza pasta is entirely gluten-free. Made from chickpeas instead of wheat flour.
While Banza pasta is lower in net carbs compared to traditional pasta, it still contains 34g of carbohydrates per serving. It may not fit strict keto guidelines but can be suitable for a moderate low-carb diet.
Yes, Banza pasta holds up well for meal prep. Store cooked pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently to maintain texture.
Also Try These Easy Pasta Recipes
- Chickpea Orzo Soup : Full of plant protein and satisfying.
- Penne Rosa - Pasta in Creamy Pink Tomato Sauce
- Penne Pesto Primavera - With delicious pesto sauce.
- Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
- Pasta Fresca - Pasta with tangy balsamic sauce
- Creamy Mushroom Pasta
★ If you make this Banza Chickpea Pasta Recipe , do let us know how you like it by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below.
📖 Recipe
Easy & Healthy Banza Chickpea Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz.) chickpea pasta I prefer Banza brand
- 2 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 4 - 6 cloves garlic peeled and roughly chopped
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
- Salt - per taste
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper adjust per taste
Optional Garnishes
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
- 1 Tablespoon black or white truffle oil
- Fresh herbs - parsley or basil - trimmed
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Heat the Sauté pan on medium heat and add oil. Let it warm up for 30 seconds. Add garlic. Let it sizzle for a couple minutes.
- Add broccoli florets and lemon zest to the pan. Sprinkle some salt and sauté on high heat for 3-5 minutes stirring frequently. Add pine nuts and the seasoning. Mix well and turn off the heat.
- Meanwhile cook the chickpea pasta per package directions. Drain the hot water and pasta in a colander.
- Mix cooked pasta with rest of the ingredients. Add ground black pepper, and lemon juice. Toss well. Season with cheese and truffle oil if using. Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs on the top.
- Your super delicious chickpea pasta with lemon broccoli is ready ! Bon Appetit!
Cooking Pasta In Instant Pot :
- I like to add 1 Tablespoon oil to prevent the pasta from clumping together and ½ teaspoon salt and seasoning for flavors to the cooking water.
- Use 1:1 pasta to water ratio and cook on high pressure at 4 minutes. Wait on keep warm timer at least 5-7 minutes, after it's done cooking and release leftover pressure. Use colander and drain any excess water. Rinse the pasta in cold water to avoid it from further cooking and sticking together.
Notes
Can I Meal Prep with Banza Pasta?
Yes, Banza pasta holds up well for meal prep. Store cooked pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently to maintain texture.Nutrition
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Jenniffer
Really loved this! Great recipe for a family lunch or dinner. I only substituted regular Parmesan with vegan cheese to keep the dish vegan. Will definitely make this again. Thank you so much for sharing!
Angie
Absolutely delicious! I made a few tweaks to customize the flavor to a more intense and spicy taste, but overall I LOVE this recipe!! My additions: double the lemon juice, add extra Parmesan cheese, add 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes and 1/2 tsp Umami seasoning. I made it last night for dinner and then again today for lunches this week. YUM!!