Gigli pasta with Chickpeas

Gigli pasta with Chickpeas - This delicious pasta with chickpeas is ready in 20 minutes and is a delicious, healthy, vegetarian meal that is easy to adapt. Roasted Chickpeas adds a lot of flavour and texture to this dish as well as protein.

If you are looking for more pasta recipes, then why not try Butter Chicken Pasta, Tiktok Pasta, Masala Pasta with Chicken and Cheese, Gigi Hadid Pasta without Vodka or Cheese and Broccoli Pasta.

Gigli pasta with Chickpeas

This recipe is for the prettiest pasta dish with Gigli pasta aka Little Bells, roasted Chickpeas, Harissa and a sprinkling of Dukkah. It makes for a hearty, comforting dish that is equally delicious as lunch or a main meal.

What is Gigli Pasta?

Pasta is made from unleavened dough with wheat flour mixed with water or eggs. This is then shaped into sheets or shapes. 

Fresh pasta is usually made with flour, salt, and eggs.

Dried pasta doesn’t contain eggs because it helps to extend their shelf life.

It is usually cooked by boiling or baking. 

Gigli pasta is also known as campanelle or riccoli and is the most beautiful pasta shape ever. 

In Italian, Gigli translates to ‘bellflowers’ or ‘little bells’. This pasta is shaped like a cone and has a ruffled edge.

It is generally served with a thick sauce but works with any sauce!

Origin of Gigli pasta

Gigli pasta is said to originate from Tuscany in Italy.

Where to buy Gigili Pasta

In the UK it can be found in Tesco, TK Maxx or online.

Why you will love it?

It’s so pretty! - This has to be the prettiest pasta shape you will ever see!

Quick and easy - This recipe is ready to eat in just 20 minutes.

A great way to use chickpeas - It is a great way to use up chickpeas.

Easy to adapt - You can add a load of different vegetables to this recipe to bulk it out.

Healthy recipe - This comforting and hearty recipe is nutrient dense and healthy.

Ingredients needed

Pasta - Gigli pasta or any medium sized pasta shape.

Oil - You can use a good olive oil or vegetable oil.

Onions - You can use white or red onion. You can also use shallots.

Garlic - Fresh slice garlic is best but you can use a garlic paste or frozen garlic instead.

Chickpeas - I used a whole can of chickpeas so I don’t have to deal with any leftover chickpeas.

Rose Harissa  - Or smoked chilli harissa or tomato paste. These pack a real flavour punch. I have tried all 3 and they all work well but the Harissas add more flavour.

Ground Cumin - adds a warmth and earthiness as well as a citrus edge.

Chilli Flakes - A sprinkling adds some heat.

Stock - This adds flavour. You can use vegetable stock, or chicken to add more flavour.

Dukkah - I like to add a little Dukkah on top of this pasta but it isn’t necessary. Dukkah consists of a variety of toasted nuts, sesame seeds, coriander, and cumin. This enhances the earthy and citrus notes in the dish.

Lemon Zest and Juice - Lemon adds balance, a zing and freshness. 

How to make it

Cook Pasta according to pack instructions. Drain (reserve 75 ml of the pasta water) and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat Oil and add Onion, Garlic, Ground Cumin, Lemon Zest, Salt and Pepper to a pan over medium heat and cook for 4 - 5 minutes.

Stir in Harissa, Chilli Flakes and Chickpeas and cook over high heat for 8 minutes.

Add Pasta. Make stock using the reserved pasta water and additional boiled water and add to pasta along with Lemon Juice. Cook over medium low for 6 - 7 minutes.

Divide between bowls and top with Dukkah.

Variations

Veggies

You can add almost any vegetable to this dish. A really easy way to pack in some veggies is to stir in some spinach. You can also add mushrooms, aubergine or courgettes.

Gigli pasta 

You can use any medium sized past such as penne, rotini, linguine, conchigilelli..

Make it creamy

Add a white sauce or stir in some creme fraiche to make it creamy.

Top tips

Add some starchy pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta.

What to serve with Gigli pasta with Chickpeas

With Garlic Bread

Try it with this Korean garlic bread or serve with store brought garlic bread.

You can also make some yourself by cutting a baguette or ciabatta in half vertically, spreading with some butter mixed with garlic and dry parsely. Add some seasoning and bake in a hot oven for 10 minutes. 

With a Salad

A simple green salad with plenty of green and a simple lemon or mustard dressing will work well.

With Veggies 

Such as Tenderstem Broccoli, Air fryer Asparagus, Caramelised Brown Sugar Carrots.

FAQS

How long do you cook Gigli?

Cook for 6 - 8 minutes or until al dente.

How to store it

Fridge

Gigli pasta is best eaten straight away, but leftovers can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for 3 days.

Freezer

The pasta can be frozen in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Defrost and Reheat

You can defrost it in the fridge overnight. Reheat it in a pan with a little bit of water to loosen it all up.

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Aglio Olio Peperoncino

Preserved Lemon, Cumin and Thyme Roast Chicken

The BEST Pumpkin Salad

Roast Vegetables with Feta and Pine Nuts

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