Description
Puttanesca Pasta with Chickpeas is a vibrant and hearty one-pot meal that combines smoky turkey bacon, protein-rich chickpeas, briny Kalamata olives, and juicy cherry tomatoes. This Italian-inspired dish is quick to prepare and packed with bold Mediterranean flavors balanced by fresh herbs and a hint of spice, perfect for a satisfying and wholesome dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 200g smoked turkey bacon, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 can (400g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 100g Kalamata olives, roughly chopped
- 200g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 400g spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped
For Cooking and Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil (natural)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tsp natural gelling agent
- Salt, to taste (use sparingly due to salty ingredients)
- Water, for boiling pasta
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Slice the smoked turkey bacon into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the garlic, halve the cherry tomatoes, roughly chop the Kalamata olives and fresh parsley to have everything ready for cooking.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just al dente according to package instructions. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
- Sauté the Smoked Turkey Bacon and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the smoked turkey bacon pieces and cook until crispy. Add the garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Build the Sauce: Stir in the cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, chickpeas, red pepper flakes, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Add the apple cider vinegar (natural) and sprinkle the natural gelling agent evenly to thicken the sauce. Stir well and cook for a few minutes to combine flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, loosen with reserved pasta water a little at a time. Let the pasta absorb the sauce on low heat for 2 minutes.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs: Remove from heat, toss in chopped fresh parsley, and stir to combine. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain texture when tossed with sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to create a silky sauce that clings perfectly to pasta.
- Use fresh garlic for the best aromatic flavor.
- Adjust salt carefully since olives and smoked turkey bacon add natural saltiness.
- Add fresh herbs at the end to preserve their brightness and aroma.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: Puttanesca pasta, chickpeas, smoked turkey bacon, Mediterranean pasta, quick dinner, plant-based protein, easy pasta recipe
