11 Dinners To Make With a Can of Chickpeas

It’s time to reach into your pantry. What’s not to like about canned chickpeas? (They’re sometimes called garbanzo beans or, adorably, chi chi beans in our house.) They are affordable, packed with protein, convenient, and versatile. You can easily transform a can of chickpeas into all kinds of delicious meals—creamy hummus, crispy falafel, crunchy salad toppers, and hearty stews. As vegans,we incorporate chickpeasinto our meals on a regular basis. We’ve gathered 11 easy, complete dinners that all start with a can of our most beloved legume and can be made in about one hour—most take a lot less time. These recipes don’t skimp on flavor, texture, or plant-based protein. Love these recipes?Join MyRecipes—your personal home for recipes—to easily save and organize your favorites, plus thousands more, in one convenient place. Chana masala is one of our favorite chickpea dinners. It’s classic Indian comfort food, and every bite makes us feel warm and well fed. It’s great for making ahead and serving withwhite ricefor a quick and easy weeknight meal. You can throw in peas for extra protein or more vegetables like eggplant or cauliflower. 20-Minute Beef and Chickpeas Contributor Devan Grimsrud says, “If you don’t want to serve this with rice at all, have some warm flatbread, likerotior paratha, on the side instead. If I have it on hand, I’ll also add a little spoonful of yogurt, some pickled red onions, lime wedges, and fresh cilantro to my plate to round everything out.” Cauliflower Chickpea Curry Speaking of cauliflower, this cauliflower chickpea curry uses store-bought yellow curry powder and fresh ginger for aromatics, keeping the sauce simple yet flavorful. Canned chickpeas, cauliflower, and whole peeled tomatoes are the bulk of the meal. We like adding some coconut milk at the end for a creamier curry—it’s such an easily customizable meal!

It’s time to reach into your pantry.