🎉 Introduction
If you love rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful dishes that taste like a warm embrace, this Marry Me Chickpeas recipe will absolutely steal your heart. Inspired by the famous “Marry Me Chicken,” this vegan version swaps chicken for hearty chickpeas while keeping all the irresistible flavor elements—creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and vibrant seasoning.
This dish delivers everything you crave in a comforting meal: a silky, luxurious sauce made with vegan cream, aromatic garlic that perfumes every bite, chewy sun-dried tomatoes that add sweetness and intensity, and spinach for color and freshness. Chickpeas bring plant-based protein and a satisfying bite, making the dish wholesome and nourishing while still feeling indulgent.
This recipe is incredibly versatile. Serve it over rice, pasta, quinoa, mashed potatoes, or enjoy it with crusty bread to soak up all that luscious sauce. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner, romantic date-night meal, or cozy weekend treat.
Creamy, dreamy, savory, and bursting with flavor—this is the vegan dish that could truly win someone’s heart.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Measuring spoons & cups
- Mixing spoon or spatula
- Small bowl for seasonings
🛒 Ingredients
Plant-Based Protein
- 2 cups cooked chickpeas
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 4 fresh basil leaves
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup vegan cream
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp red chili flakes
- ½ tsp oregano
Oil
- 1 tbsp olive oil
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Sauté the Garlic
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Step 2: Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
Cook 1–2 minutes to release their flavor into the oil.
Step 3: Add Tomato Paste & Seasonings
Add tomato paste, chili flakes, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Stir well to coat the ingredients and toast the spices slightly.
Step 4: Add Chickpeas
Pour in the chickpeas and stir to combine.
Let them cook for 2 minutes so they absorb the flavors.
Step 5: Build the Sauce
Add vegetable broth and vegan cream.
Stir until smooth and well combined.
Simmer for 5–7 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Step 6: Add Spinach
Add baby spinach and stir until wilted and vibrant.
Step 7: Finish with Fresh Basil
Chop basil leaves and stir them into the sauce for a burst of freshness.
Step 8: Serve
Serve warm over pasta, rice, quinoa, mashed potatoes, or with bread.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store for 3–4 days in an airtight container.
Freezer
Freeze for up to 2 months (sauce may thicken slightly).
Reheating
Gently warm on the stovetop
Add 1–2 tbsp broth to restore creaminess.
🥄 Variations
- Spicy Marry Me Chickpeas: Add extra chili flakes or fresh chili.
- Extra Creamy: Add 2–3 tbsp cashew cream or coconut milk.
- Protein Boost: Add tofu cubes or white beans.
- Veggie Boost: Add mushrooms, broccoli, or zucchini.
- Mediterranean Twist: Add olives or capers.
- Herb Explosion: Add more basil, parsley, or thyme.
- Low-Fat Version: Replace part of the cream with extra broth.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use canned chickpeas?
Yes—just drain and rinse them well.
2. Which vegan cream works best?
Cashew cream, coconut cream, or soy cream all work well.
3. Can I make this dish spicy?
Absolutely—add more chili flakes.
4. Can I make it oil-free?
Sauté garlic in broth instead of olive oil.
5. Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes—just serve with gluten-free sides.
6. Can I add vegetables?
Mushrooms, tomatoes, or bell peppers are great additions.
7. Does it freeze well?
Yes, but stir well after thawing.
8. Can I serve it with pasta?
Yes—it’s excellent with spaghetti, penne, or fusilli.
9. Can I substitute the chickpeas?
White beans or tofu cubes work well.
10. How do I make the sauce thicker?
Simmer longer or add 1 tbsp tomato paste.
🏁 Conclusion
This Marry Me Chickpeas dish is a beautiful fusion of creamy textures, savory aromatics, vibrant herbs, and protein-rich chickpeas. It offers everything you love about comfort food—richness, warmth, depth of flavor—while staying wholesome, dairy-free, and plant-based. The silky sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and spinach create layers of flavor that feel indulgent yet balanced.
Whether you’re cooking a quick weeknight dinner, meal prepping, or enjoying a cozy night in, this recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor to your table with just a handful of simple ingredients. It’s creamy, satisfying, and truly irresistible—a dish that can win hearts with just one bite.
A comforting, flavorful, plant-powered meal that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.
Marry Me Chickpeas – Creamy, Garlicky & Irresistibly Flavorful Vegan Comfort Food
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
- Cook 1–2 minutes to release their flavor into the oil.
- Add tomato paste, chili flakes, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Stir well to coat the ingredients and toast the spices slightly.
- Pour in the chickpeas and stir to combine.
- Let them cook for 2 minutes so they absorb the flavors.
- Add vegetable broth and vegan cream.
- Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Simmer for 5–7 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Add baby spinach and stir until wilted and vibrant.
- Chop basil leaves and stir them into the sauce for a burst of freshness.
- Serve warm over pasta, rice, quinoa, mashed potatoes, or with bread.
Notes
Refrigerator Store for 3–4 days in an airtight container. Freezer Freeze for up to 2 months (sauce may thicken slightly). Reheating Gently warm on the stovetop
Add 1–2 tbsp broth to restore creaminess. 🥄 Variations Spicy Marry Me Chickpeas: Add extra chili flakes or fresh chili. Extra Creamy: Add 2–3 tbsp cashew cream or coconut milk. Protein Boost: Add tofu cubes or white beans. Veggie Boost: Add mushrooms, broccoli, or zucchini. Mediterranean Twist: Add olives or capers. Herb Explosion: Add more basil, parsley, or thyme. Low-Fat Version: Replace part of the cream with extra broth. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use canned chickpeas? Yes—just drain and rinse them well. 2. Which vegan cream works best? Cashew cream, coconut cream, or soy cream all work well. 3. Can I make this dish spicy? Absolutely—add more chili flakes. 4. Can I make it oil-free? Sauté garlic in broth instead of olive oil. 5. Is this dish gluten-free? Yes—just serve with gluten-free sides. 6. Can I add vegetables? Mushrooms, tomatoes, or bell peppers are great additions. 7. Does it freeze well? Yes, but stir well after thawing. 8. Can I serve it with pasta? Yes—it’s excellent with spaghetti, penne, or fusilli. 9. Can I substitute the chickpeas? White beans or tofu cubes work well. 10. How do I make the sauce thicker? Simmer longer or add 1 tbsp tomato paste. 🏁 Conclusion This Marry Me Chickpeas dish is a beautiful fusion of creamy textures, savory aromatics, vibrant herbs, and protein-rich chickpeas. It offers everything you love about comfort food—richness, warmth, depth of flavor—while staying wholesome, dairy-free, and plant-based. The silky sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and spinach create layers of flavor that feel indulgent yet balanced. Whether you’re cooking a quick weeknight dinner, meal prepping, or enjoying a cozy night in, this recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor to your table with just a handful of simple ingredients. It’s creamy, satisfying, and truly irresistible—a dish that can win hearts with just one bite. A comforting, flavorful, plant-powered meal that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.
