WEEKNIGHT CHICKPEA BOLOGNESE

Easy, flavorful, 10-ingredient chickpea bolognese over
carrot noodles! A healthy, fast, satisfying plant-based meal!

Author: Minimalist Baker

Recipe type: Entree

Cuisine: Vegan, Italian

Serves: 2 as entree, 4 as side

Ingredients

CHICKPEAS

• 1 15-ounce (425 g) can chickpeas, rinsed, drained, and dried
• 1 Tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 Tbsp (3 g) dried or fresh oregano
• pinch sea salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 3 Tbsp (13 g) panko bread crumbs
• 1 Tbsp (5 g) vegan parmesan cheese

SAUCE

• 1 Tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 1/2 Tbsp or 9 g)
• 1/4 cup (32 g) carrots, very finely diced
• 1 15-ounce (425 g) can tomato sauce
• 1 Tbsp (3 g) dried or fresh oregano
• 1 Tbsp (5 g) vegan parmesan cheese, plus more to taste
• optional: 1-2 Tbsp sweetener of choice (such as organic cane sugar or coconut sugar)

CARROT NOODLES

• 10 large carrots (610 g), ribboned with a vegetable peeler (or sub 8 ounces pasta of choice)

FOR SERVING optional

• Red pepper flakes
• Vegan parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Add rinsed, dried chickpeas to a mixing bowl and toss with olive oil, oregano, salt, garlic powder, panko bread crumbs, and vegan parmesan cheese.
3. Place chickpeas on a baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crispy and light golden brown (see photo), then remove and set aside.
4. While chickpeas are baking, heat a large metal or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add olive oil, garlic and carrots. Sauté for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
5. Remove skillet from heat and add tomato sauce, oregano, and vegan parmesan cheese, and stir. Place back over heat and bring to a low simmer over medium-low heat. Once simmering, reduce heat to low and continue cooking to thicken, stirring occasionally.
6. Sample sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. Add sweetener of choice at this time if preferred (I went with 1 Tbsp coconut sugar, 1 Tbsp organic cane sugar).
7. To make carrot noodles, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add carrots and boil for 2-3 minutes (2 for al dente, 3 for more tender noodles). Drain and set aside.
8. Add 3/4 of the baked chickpeas to the sauce (see photo) and stir.
9. To serve, top carrot noodles with sauce, remaining chickpeas, and any additional toppings (see options above).
10. Leftovers keep well (separate) in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat sauce in the microwave or saucepan. Add a little water to thin if too thick.

http://minimalistbaker.com/simple-chickpea-bolognese/