Tuscan Spiral Pasta

Spirals

Ingredients

1 Package Chickapea Spirals
2 Tbsp table salt, (for boiling pasta)
2 Tbsp avocado oil
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/3 cup lemon juice
½ cup vegetable broth
2 Tbsp coconut milk, full fat canned
½ cup vegan cream cheese
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup kalamata olives, pitted and roughly chopped
½ cup sundried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and sliced
2 cups baby spinach
½ cup vegan parmesan cheese

Vegan and gluten-free Tuscan Chickapea pasta is a flavorful and protein packed meal ready in under 30 minutes. With next to no preparation required, this is a great dish for any night of the week and is made from mostly pantry ingredients. Substitute the spinach for any roasted vegetable you have on hand or add more marinated ingredients to your taste for a unique dish with endless possibilities.

Instructions

In a large pan warm the avocado oil over medium heat
Add the garlic and stirring constantly, cook for 1 minute
Spoon the full fat coconut milk, vegan cream cheese, lemon juice and vegetable broth into the pan, mix well to melt together
Add the Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste
Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil
Once boiling, reduce the heat and cook the sauce for 3-4 minutes stirring often to prevent it from catching
Stir in the spinach, sun dried tomatoes and kalamata olives, mixing well until the spinach leaves have wilted
Meanwhile, prepare Chickapea Spirals to package specifications (heat 16 cups of water and 2 Tbsp of salt in a large pot over high heat until boiling. Add the pasta to the water, decrease the heat to maintain a gentle boil. Stir and cook the pasta for 5 minutes)
Dain the pasta and rinse with warm water
Transfer the pasta to the sauce pan and toss the mixture gently to avoid breaking the noodles
Plate each helping of the pasta and top with vegan parmesan cheese
Enjoy!

Recipe Notes:

Tofutti vegan cream cheese was used in this recipe
Only boil the noodles until they are al dente so they do not become overcooked when added to the pan
Tuscan spiral pasta is best when served directly from the pan
This dish can be served as a leftover by storing it in the refrigerator and reheating it in a frying pan over medium-low
Sun dried tomatoes packed in oil are strongly suggested but could be substituted for marinated artichokes or mushrooms