13 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 adoringly chi chi beans in our house.) They are affordable, packed with protein, convenient, and so 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 chickpeas into our meals on a regular basis.

We’ve gathered 13 easy and 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.

1. Chana Masala

Get Recipe: Chana Masala

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 with white rice for a quick and easy weeknight meal. You can throw in peas for extra protein or more vegetables like eggplant or cauliflower.

2. 20-Minute Beef and Chickpeas

Get Recipe: The 20-Minute Ground Beef Dinner I Make All the Time

Contributor Devan Grimsrud says, "If you don’t want to serve this with rice at all, have some warm flatbread, like roti or 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."

3. Cauliflower Chickpea Curry

Get Recipe: 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!

4. Hummus Soup

Get Recipe: Hummus Soup

Recipe developer Catherine Jessee says, "Depending on your preferred consistency, adjust the liquid as needed. Add or remove water—just one tablespoon at a time—to reach the texture that you prefer. You can use chopped cilantro for a fresh peppery bite if you don't have parsley."

5. Vegan Minestrone

Get Recipe: Vegan Minestrone

Minestrone is a classic Italian soup that is vegetable heavy—perfect for using up vegetables from the fridge and canned chickpeas and tomatoes from the pantry. The rich tomato broth, crunchy veggies, small pasta, and hearty chickpeas make this a one-pot meal that we come back to again and again.

6. Paprika Chicken with Chickpeas

Get Recipe: Paprika Chicken with Chickpeas

The beauty of this meal is that it’s a one-pan-in-the-oven kind of dinner—toss smoky (thanks to the paprika) chickpeas, onions, and the chicken into a casserole and bake. That’s it! The chickpeas provide extra protein and starch, so you won’t have to cook another side dish to serve it with.

7. Air Fryer Falafel

Get Recipe: Air Fryer Falafel

Air fryer falafel is quick to make and easy to clean up, making it the ideal weeknight dinner. Stuff them into pita pockets with lettuce, tomato, and the simple tahini sauce for the most delicious meal!

8. Roasted Chickpeas and Artichokes with Lemon, Parsley, and Feta

Read More: The Affordable One-Pan Meal I Make Once a Week

Contributor Molly Adams says, "For enough to serve four adults with leftovers—I can stretch it out and enjoy it for lunch the next day (win!)— the ingredients add up to less than $15. It has for all the years I’ve been making it."

9. Kale Sausage Soup with Tomatoes and Chickpeas

Get Recipe: Kale Sausage Soup with Tomatoes and Chickpeas

We love all Italian soups and this one delivers on both ease and flavor. Legumes can truly be the star if you sub kidney beans for the sausage like a reader recommends—“I made this without the sausage and with white kidney beans, delicious tomato chicken stock base with Parmesan to add richness.”

10. Lemon Chicken Chickpea Soup

Get Recipe: Lemon Chicken Chickpea Soup

This soup is comforting on all levels—it’s a simple chicken soup made with warming spices like turmeric and cumin. Nothing beats the lemony bite of rice and chickpeas in this Moroccan-inspired soup. As vegans, we substitute soy curls and vegetable broth in the place of chicken and chicken stock. It’s so full of flavor.

11. Chickpea Panini

Get Recipe: Chickpea Panini

As vegans, we’re always making chickpea salad. It’s delicious, filling, and so easy to make. This recipe is no different—it’s perfect for dinner in a pinch. With only a few ingredients, you can have dinner on the table in 10 minutes flat.

12. Mediterranean Chickpea Bowls with Tahini Sauce

Get Recipe: Mediterranean Chickpea Bowls with Tahini Sauce

Mediterranean, meet chickpea, again. (They are the perfect match!) This vegan and gluten-free bowl has everything you need for a healthy chickpea-inspired meal. Warning: you are going to get hooked on the tahini dressing—it’s amazing on baked tofu, roasted vegetables, and massaged with kale.

13. Curry Chickpea-Loaded Baked Potatoes

Get Recipe: Curry Chickpea-Loaded Baked Potatoes

Chickpeas sautéed in a creamy, coconut milk curry are loaded on top of baked potatoes in this easy vegan recipe. Perfect for a night when you want a simple, healthy, and comforting meal.