A set it and forget it dinner, loaded with nutrients and flavor, is on the menu with this recipe.  It may look pretty basic, but what it lacks in ingredients, it makes up for in taste.  Perfect for a weeknight dinner with few ingredients on hand, this Chickapea pasta recipe couldn’t be easier. It is a gluten-free, nut-free and vegan recipe high in protein and suitable for even the most novice of cooks. 

Roasted Garlic and Tomato Spirals

• Prep Time:  10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time:  1 hour 10 minutes
• Course: Dinner
• Cuisine: Italian
• Servings:  3

Ingredients:

• 1 Package Chickapea Spirals
• 1 Tbsp salt, (for cooking pasta)
• 2 lbs vine-ripened tomatoes, (plum tomatoes ideally)
• 4 large cloves of garlic, minced
• ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped finely
• ½ cup avocado oil
• 1 tsp standard salt, (for roasting tomatoes)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2-4 Tbsp vegan/ gluten-free parmesan, (optional when serving)
• Finishing salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375° F.
2. Wash the tomatoes and cut them in half lengthwise.
3. Remove and discard all seeds and liquid from the tomatoes.
4. Place the tomato halves in a roasting pan cut side up, in a single layer.
5. Top the tomatoes with an even sprinkling of avocado oil, garlic, parsley, standard salt and pepper.
6. Bake the tomatoes in the middle of the oven until very soft, approximately 1 hour.
7. Meanwhile, with 10 minutes left on the tomatoes, prepare Chickapea spirals to package specifications, (heat 16 cups of water in a large pot over high heat until boiling. Add pasta and 1 Tbsp of salt to the water, decrease heat to maintain a gentle boil. Stir and cook pasta for 7 minutes).
8. Drain pasta and rinse with warm water.
9. When the tomatoes are cooked, immediately transfer drained pasta into the roasting pan.
10. Mix the contents of the roasting pan well.
11. Transfer the pasta and tomato mixture to serving plates and top with desired amount of vegan/gluten-free parmesan, (optional), and finishing salt.
12. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes:

• Plum tomatoes are ideal for this recipe but can be substituted for Roma or other vine-ripened tomatoes.
• If unable to find plum tomatoes, and you desire the closest substitute, add a couple of tsp of tomato paste to Roma or slicing tomatoes to thicken the mixture and deepen the flavor, before roasting.