You will always find a can of chickpeas in my cupboard because they’re one of my many vegan pantry staples! They come in handy for all kinds of recipes, from veggie burgers to homemade hummus, providing boosts of protein and fiber in each bite. They’re the main source of protein in this vegan Italian Chickpea Soup, ensuring every batch is hearty, filling, and delicious! You’ll love its simplicity; the handful of vegetables and seasonings all cook together in one pot and fill the 30-minute soup with delectable Italian-inspired flavors. The ingredients are all budget-friendly and easy to find, too. Make a batch for a quick weeknight dinner or use it as a filling meal prep option! It’s so simple and sure to become a new staple in your weekly meal rotation.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Easy to make: A fast, easy and filling dinner idea.Budget-friendly and flexible: The handful of ingredients in this recipe are all budget-friendly, making this a perfect recipe for family dinners and vegan meal prep. Follow the recipe to a tee or shake up the flavors by using your favorite veggies or what you already have at home.Indulgent and nourishing: Much like a Vegan Minestrone or Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup, chickpea soup is made with natural, nourishing ingredients to help you feel great. The texture is naturally creamy as well, making this healthy soup feel extra indulgent.
Ingredients needed (with substitutions)
Olive oilOnionGarlicYukon gold potatoes – These creamy and starchy potatoes act as a natural thickener in the soup and help “creamify” the texture, especially when blended. Red, Russet, and sweet potatoes can all be used as substitutes. Butternut squash works too! Just make sure you use 2 cups total if making substitutions.Chickpeas – Canned chickpeas are perfect and convenient!Tomatoes – Use a can of diced tomatoes to keep this recipe as hands-off as possible.Smoked paprika – Or regular paprika.Dried basil and oregano – If you want to upgrade the Italian flavors here, substitute these dried herbs with a pre-mixed Italian seasoning blend.Red chili flakes – The hint of spice brings balance among the other flavors.Vegetable brothPasta – Use any small shell pasta you like. Sometimes, I like using chickpea pasta or bean pasta for an extra boost of protein.Salt
How to make Italian chickpea soup
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below. To start, saute the onion in an oiled soup pot over medium heat. Once it’s translucent, add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in the potatoes, chickpeas, diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, basil, oregano, chili flakes, and broth next. Turn up the heat and bring the mix to a boil. Once it boils, turn down the heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender. Cook the pasta in a separate pot while you wait on the soup*. Drain the water, then set aside. *You can cook the pasta with the soup, but only if you plan on eating the entire batch that day. The pasta soaks up the liquid as it sits in the soup and eventually becomes soggy. Now that it’s done simmering, use an immersion blender to puree some of the soup. This will help it thicken and give it a creamy consistency. If you don’t have an immersion blender, blend about a quarter of the soup in a regular blender, then pour it back into the pot. Or don’t blend at all, for a chunkier soup. Stir in the cooked pasta to finish. Ladle the chickpea soup into bowls and top with vegan parmesan (I used Violife dairy free parmesan) or chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Serving suggestions
Garnish each bowl of soup with vegan parmesan, freshly cracked black pepper, fresh parsley, or homemade croutons. Serve a slice of homemade artisan bread or vegan garlic bread on the side and enjoy!
Variations
Gluten free – Use the gluten free pasta of your choice to make gluten free chickpea soup.Add more vegetables – Like diced celery, carrots, zucchini, green beans, squash, leafy greens, or any other veggies you love.Add vegan parmesan – Stir meltable vegan parmesan (like Violife dairy free parmesan) or ¼ cup of nutritional yeast directly into the soup for a subtle cheesy flavor.Instead of tomatoes – You can make a creamier soup without tomatoes by substituting a can of full fat coconut milk for the diced tomatoes.Finish with leafy greens – When the soup is 5 minutes away from being done, stir in a handful of chopped kale leaves or baby spinach and cook until they wilt.
Storing
I recommend storing the leftover soup and cooked pasta in separate containers because the pasta noodles will become soggy if they sit in the liquid. Wait for the soup to cool, then store it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 or 5 days. It can also be frozen (without the pasta) for about 3 months.
Want more easy soup recipes?
Vegan Potato SoupEasy Vegan Tomato SoupVegan Cauliflower SoupVegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup
