Lemon-Basil Chickpea Pasta Bake

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

   10 min waiting

   • Set the oven to 200°C (400°F).

2. Prepare Aromatics

   3 min hands-on

   • Finely chop the shallots.
   • Mince the garlic.

3. Prepare Chickpeas and Artichokes

   2 min hands-on

   • Rinse and drain the chickpeas.
   • Trim and quarter the artichokes if needed.

4. Combine Ingredients

   2 min hands-on

   • In a large oven-safe casserole dish, add the dry pasta, shallots, garlic, chickpeas, artichokes, spinach, pesto, and cayenne pepper.
   • Stir to evenly distribute the flavors.

5. Add Water and Season

   2 min hands-on

   • Pour boiled water into the dish.
   • Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
   • Stir to ensure the water coats all ingredients.

6. Bake Covered

   20 min waiting

   • Cover the dish with a lid or foil.
   • Bake for 20 minutes.

7. Stir and Bake Uncovered

   2 min hands-on5 min waiting

   • Remove the dish from the oven and stir the contents.
   • Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.

8. Toast Pine Nuts

   1 min hands-on4 min waiting

   • Spread pine nuts on a baking sheet or heat in a dry pan.
   • Toast on the lower oven rack or over medium heat until golden and fragrant.

9. Finish with Lemon and Basil

   1 min hands-on

   • Zest the lemon over the dish and squeeze in the juice.
   • Stir to distribute the citrus flavor.

10. Add Garnish

    1 min hands-on

    • Sprinkle toasted pine nuts over the dish.
    • Add fresh basil leaves.
    • Scatter shredded cheddar cheese over the top, or omit for a vegan option.

11. Serve

    1 min hands-on

    • Serve the pasta bake hot, ensuring each portion includes pasta, pine nuts, and basil.
    • Cooking tips:
    • For a creamier texture, stir in a splash of olive oil or a dollop of plant-based cream before baking the uncovered portion.
    • If you prefer a stronger umami flavor, consider grating a small amount of parmesan in place of cheddar or adding nutritional yeast for a vegan alternative.
    • To prevent spinach from overcooking, you can add it halfway through baking instead of at the beginning.
    • Adjust the cayenne pepper to your spice tolerance or omit it entirely for a milder dish.