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I’m feeling major spring vibes with this risotto.

Quick + Simple Pasta “Risotto” with Herbed Roasted Chickpeas | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Which is kind of odd, since there is a ton of snow on the ground and the temps are freezing…but the sun finally came out over the weekend and it brought a big smile to my face!! Yeah!! Even with the sun out though, it’s still pretty COLD. I’ve basically barricaded myself in fresh flowers in hopes to bring a resemblance of spring to my little barn a bit earlier this year. It’s all about positive thoughts right?!?

Totally, + I just really LOVE flowers. If they weren’t so expensive, I would be buying fresh flowers daily to sit atop my desk. Just looking at them makes my day a little brighter…thinking only a flower person would get that.

SO, my point here is that I am buying way too many flowers and craving all the fresh foods of spring… things could totally be worse. 🙂

Quick + Simple Pasta “Risotto” with Herbed Roasted Chickpeas | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest Quick + Simple Pasta “Risotto” with Herbed Roasted Chickpeas | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest Quick + Simple Pasta “Risotto” with Herbed Roasted Chickpeas | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

OKAY and also?? My Super Bowl Sunday was maybe kind of sort of, filled will a lot of cheesy dip… and a lot of gooey chocolate (in the form of skillet cookies). Not gonna lie, it was good! Today though, today I am looking for something a little bit lighter, fresher and full of colors!! Hehe, I love me my colors!!

SIDE NOTE: how amazing would this quick pasta be for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner on Sunday?!?! Oh my gosh, you MUST!! Oh and single ladies?? How about a girl’s night in?!? Again, you MUST!

Here’s the deal, I love traditional risotto, but I also love pasta. When I saw a recipe for pasta risotto in Bon Appetit the other month, it pretty much screamed, MAKE ME! I made mine very differently, and little more on the lighter side, but I promise guys this risotto is SO GOOD.

And yes, that is a poached egg on top. Poached/soft-boiled eggs + creamy, cheesy pasta is the ultimate. You have to try it. No really, you HAVE to.

Quick + Simple Pasta “Risotto” with Herbed Roasted Chickpeas | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvestQuick + Simple Pasta “Risotto” with Herbed Roasted Chickpeas | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

So, just like the title states, this quick + simple pasta “risotto” is a great last minute dish. Simply cook the pasta just as you would traditional risotto, but since this is pasta and not rice, it takes about half the time. Risotto in under an hour?!?

YESSSS.

I kept the flavors pretty classic – white wine, a little garlic, parmesan cheese, basil and then topped it all off with fresh greens + eggs + roasted chickpeas and cauliflower. What? I REALLY like my toppings. 🙂

While the risotto is cooking on the stove top, you should be roasting your chickpeas. Roasted chickpeas are my current obsession. I’ve been making these on a weekly basis and adding them atop pretty much all of my meals. I love not only that they add a healthy source of protein, but also the flavor and crunchiness they add, so yummy, but especially yummy atop this pasta. TRUST me, you cannot skip the chickpeas, and there’s also some cauliflower in the mix for added veggies! You could totally sub (or add) broccoli as well. actually, I think broccoli might even be better…I love roasted broccoli!

OKAY and finally, that egg. In the recipe I say it is optional, BUT I am going to be honest, I would be so sad if you did not add some form of an egg to this pasta/risotto. The egg is the perfect finishing touch. If you make a runny egg like a poached or soft-boiled egg, the risotto almost turns to carbonara. OH MY. YES. YES. YES! Words cannot describe how good the egg is on here. Please, please, PLEASE give it a try.

And with that I will leave you to eat all of this pasta risotto….

Cause quick + simple pasta “risotto” is what a Monday really needs!

Quick + Simple Pasta “Risotto” with Herbed Roasted Chickpeas | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvestQuick + Simple Pasta “Risotto” with Herbed Roasted Chickpeas | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Quick + Simple Pasta "Risotto" with Herbed Roasted Chickpeas.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 1252 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Herbed Chickpeas

  • 1 (14 ounce) can chickpeas drained + rinsed
  • 1 head cauliflower cut into florets (can sub broccoli if preferred), I used green Cauliflower
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt + pepper
  • 1 cup mixed fresh herbs (I use basil parsley, dill + oregano)

Quick Pasta "Risotto"

  • 2 tablespoons butter use vegan butter for vegan version
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 small sweet onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic left whole
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 pound short cut pasta
  • 5 1/2 cups chicken or veggies broth (I prefer to use chicken broth but use veggie for a veggie version)
  • 3/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese + more for topping use vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast for vegan version
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil + more for topping
  • 2 cups fresh baby kale
  • 4-5 poached or hard boil eggs optional

Instructions

Herbed Chickpeas

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Spread the chickpeas out on a towel and dry them completely. Add the chickpeas + cauliflower to a baking sheet and toss with the olive oil, salt + pepper. Toss well to evenly coat. Roast for 20 minutes and then stir the chickpeas/cauliflower around and roast another 20 minutes or until the chickpeas are golden. Remove from the oven and toss with the fresh herbs. Serve warm atop the pasta. Save any leftovers for snacking later!

Quick Pasta "Risotto"

  • Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil + butter. Once hot, add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring ofter until the onion + garlic cloves are soft and caramelized, about 10 minutes. Slowly pour in the wine and bring to a simmer, simmer until the wine is reduced by half. Add the pasta and 2 cups of broth. Cook, stirring often until the broth is mostly absorbed. Add another 2 cups of broth and do the same as above, cooking until most of the pasta has absorbed the broth. Continue this process until the pasta is al dente and there is around 1 cup of broth left in the pot. Once the pasta is al dente, remove the risotto from the heat and stir in the parmesan, crushed red pepper flakes + basil. Taste and season as needed with salt + pepper.
  • Remove the cloves of garlic from the risotto. Stir the cauliflower florets into the risotto. Divide the risotto among bowls and top with a handful of baby kale, a poached egg and the roasted chickpeas. Garnish with more parmesan + basil. EAT!

Notes

*Pasta Risotto inspired by Bon Appetit January 2016 issue.
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Quick + Simple Pasta “Risotto” with Herbed Roasted Chickpeas | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Plus maybe a long nap….and definitely some chocolate. Yup. Monday done right! 🙂

Quick + Simple Pasta “Risotto” with Herbed Roasted Chickpeas | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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Comments

  1. Yet another wonderful and tasty meal from Tieghan. You’re talented! Outstanding. One housekeeping note: In the list of ingredients, crushed red pepper flakes aren’t mentioned.

    So, you have readers from Berlin and Brazil. Add Switzerland to the list.

  2. So so pretty this dish Tieghan. And so clever!!! I love it. I have such a soft spot for chickpeas and this looks absolutely fantastic! <3

  3. This was delicious! Made it last night and was so good we are making it for company coming over this weekend. Think will modify it a bit roasting chickpeas, kale and the broccoli with some lemon juice and various herbs as well for a bit more of a kick.
    Am loving all of your recipes that I have tried so far, can’t wait to keep trying more! 🙂

  4. I made this for my family last night. Went without the egg just to make it quicker. It was so delicious! Even my daughter, who usually doesn’t like creamy tasting pasta loved this. Thanks for a great weeknight recipe!

  5. I know exactly what recipe you are talking about in Bon Appetite, because I tore it out and have planning to make it for ages. Love how you added a runny egg.

  6. So into chickpeas right now this comes at a perfect time! I’m loving everything about this recipe and can’t wait to make it Tieghan!

  7. I like the idea of using pasta in place of rice, I think it would work really well with orzo as well, and those chickpeas sound amazing!

  8. This would indeed make a wonderful valentines meal! It looks delicious and so warm and cosy. Dessert might have to be your choc chip skillet cookie 🙂

  9. This recipe looks so yummy! I love chickpeas & am putting his on my “to make” list. I have been craving all things Spring too…flowers, farmer’s markets, baseball 🙂