You need just a few ingredients to make this delicious Rotini Chickpea Pasta with arugula, cherry tomatoes and feta. It is healthy, flavorful and takes less than 30 minutes to make!

This post is sponsored by Barilla but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. 

Rotini Chickpea Pasta with Arugula and cherry tomatoes topped with feta cheese
Rotini with Arugula & Tomatoes
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When I first tried legume pasta, I was not sure that I would completely enjoy it. A lot of legume pasta options were not really healthy, nor were they tasty.

When I tried another brand of legume pasta in the past, I was let down with taste and texture, and my family did not really enjoy it. However I recently tried the Barilla Chickpea Pasta, and that changed my mind. So here is my honest review of this chickpea pasta. It has almost similar taste and texture as classic pasta, but it is made with ONE simple ingredient – Chickpea!

You might have the question that I had- is chickpea pasta healthy for you? With just one ingredient, chickpea, this legume pasta is plant-based and it is a good source of protein (11g per serving) and an excellent source of fiber (8g).

So I feel that if I can have the same flavor with healthy wholesome ingredients, I would definitely choose this pasta for my family. And I don’t feel guilty giving pasta to my kids more often!

Oh..and by the way, I love to order by pantry staples, including this Barilla Chickpea Pasta, from Target. I can shop from the comfort of my home and just pick up with their drive-up option. It saves so much time and I love the convenience that Target offers. You can get Barilla Chickpea Pasta here!

Rotini pasta with arugula and cherry tomatoes in a pan with a box of barilla chickpea pasta on the side
Chickpea Rotini Pasta

Rotini Chickpea Pasta with Arugula

This pasta has just a few simple fresh ingredients, and lots of flavor. You need just 7 ingredients to make this rotini pasta:

  • Chickpea Pasta
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Garlic – sliced or minced
  • Arugula – I used arugula, but baby spinach is a great option too.
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Feta – I topped with some feta cheese at the end. Goat cheese would be delicious over this pasta too.
  • Lemon – juice and zest

You will be surprised how easy it is to put together this lemony pasta which has all the nutrition and is full of flavor.

How to make Chickpea Pasta?

Start with cooking the chickpea pasta according to package directions. I cooked for 7 minutes in boiling water. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid before draining. 

Cooked Rotini Pasta in a colander with a box of barilla chickpea pasta on the side

While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for a few seconds until the garlic turns golden.

Add the cooked pasta and the reserved cooking liquid. Toss the pasta in the pan with the oil. Turn off heat.

Add in the cherry tomatoes and arugula. Toss them gently.  

Rotini with cherry tomatoes and topped with baby arugula leaves in a large pan with barilla chickpea pasta box on the side

Add the lemon juice and zest. Add salt and freshly crushed black pepper to taste. Toss it all together!

Rotini with arugula and cherry tomatoes

Serve in bowls. Top with feta or goat cheese. Adjust any seasonings and enjoy!

Rotini with arugula and cherry tomatoes topped with feta

I love to top red chili flakes on this chickpea pasta. So good!

You can also add freshly made basil pesto to this pasta. It pairs well with this light rotini pasta.

The pasta has the perfect taste and I love that it is the right texture, and not mushed as some of the other legume pasta I have tried. You can definitely taste the difference with this Barilla Chickpea Pasta.

Rotini with arugula and cherry tomatoes topped with feta

Common Questions

Is chickpea pasta healthy?

Yes, it is very healthy. With just one ingredient, chickpea, this plant-based legume pasta is a good source of protein (11g per serving) and an excellent source of fiber (8g).

Is chickpea pasta keto / low carb friendly?

Even though chickpea pasta is 30-40% lower in carb than traditional pasta, it is not keto friendly. The net carbs in chickpea pasta is 42 grams.

Next on my list is to try their Red Lentil Penne., which was another plant-based pasta available at Target. I hope you give this Barilla Legume Pasta a try and taste the difference yourself. Add to your Target cart here!

I would love to hear your thoughts on this delicious chickpea pasta!

5 from 2 votes

Rotini Chickpea Pasta with Arugula

You need just a few ingredients to make this delicious Rotini Chickpea Pasta with arugula, cherry tomatoes and feta. It is healthy, flavorful and takes less than 30 minutes to make!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 8 ounces Barilla Chickpea Pasta, about 3.5 cups
  • 1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced or sliced
  • 8 ounces Cherry Tomatoes, halved or quartered
  • 3 cup Arugula , or spinach
  • 4 ounces Feta, or goat cheese
  • 1 Lemon , + zest
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • Cook the chickpea pasta according to the packages directions (I cooked for 7 minutes in boiling water). Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid before draining. 
    Cooked Rotini Pasta in a colander with a box of barilla chickpea pasta on the side
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for a few seconds until the garlic turns golden.
  • Add the cooked pasta and the reserved cooking liquid. Toss the pasta in the pan with the oil. Turn off heat.
  • Add in the cherry tomatoes and arugula. Toss them gently.  
    Rotini with cherry tomatoes and topped with baby arugula leaves in a large pan with barilla chickpea pasta box on the side
  • Add the lemon juice and zest. Add salt and freshly crushed black pepper to taste.
    Rotini with arugula and cherry tomatoes
  • Serve in bowls. Top with feta and enjoy!
    Rotini Chickpea Pasta garnished with arugula in a white plate with silver fork

Notes

Veggies: You can add other veggies such as sliced colorful bell peppers or blanched broccoli to this rotini pasta. 

Nutrition

Calories: 443kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 19gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 387mgPotassium: 209mgFiber: 9gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 753IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 215mgIron: 6mg

Additional Info

Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Gluten-free, Vegetarian
Tried this recipe?Mention @pipingpotcurry or tag #pipingpotcurry!

About Meeta

I strongly believe that each one of us has a chef inside us, we just need to explore the ingredients and create great food. My passion is to share easy, healthy, and wholesome recipes made using Instant Pot & Air Fryer, that are well tested, so you can cook with confidence.

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4 Comments

  1. I had recently made the Barilla chickpea and to my dismay the pasta came out very firm. I even cooked it longer than the package mentioned. I gave it 10 minutes. What is the key to having the pasta come out softer than cardboard texture?

    1. Hi Traci – Sorry to hear you did not enjoy the barilla pasta. We did not have that issue. The taste is certainly a little different than regular pasta, but was still good.

  2. I’m very interested in making this but in IP, are you planning to come up with that recipe too?

    1. Hi Shiva – In my experience, chickpea pasta does not work as well in a one-pot recipe. Hence I prefer to use the traditional method to boil on stovetop to cook chickpea pasta.