Chickpea and Pasta Soup
Chickpea and Pasta Soup is easy to make and is full of protein, vitamins and minerals. Chickpeas, those round little nuggets of protein, are called ceci in Italian. They have a creamy texture and are highly nourishing. The Parmigiano Reggiano® cheese rind adds flavor to the Chickpea and Pasta Soup as it cooks. Once the rind has softened, you can cut the cheesy part into bite-size pieces and return them to the pot, providing delicious tiny cheese tidbits to your finished soup. This recipe for Chickpea and Pasta Soup calls for small pasta tubes but you can use any small pasta.Chickpea and Pasta Soup can be served as a main dish along with some crusty bread and a green salad. Try inviting some friends over for a soup night. Nutritious and satisfying, everyone will love this Chickpea and Pasta Soup.
Servings Prep Time
6people 15minutes
Cook Time
40minutes
Servings Prep Time
6people 15minutes
Cook Time
40minutes
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Finely chop Prosciutto or ham, red onion, carrot, celery, garlic and rosemary and mix together. Set a 3-quart soup kettle over medium heat. Add olive oil and the chopped mixture and cook 10 minutes until vegetables are softened.
  2. Place tomatoes and their juice into a food processor and chop coarsely. Add to the sautéed vegetables along with the drained chick peas, chicken broth, tomato paste, bay leaf and Parmigiano Reggiano rind (about 4-inch square). Add salt and pepper to taste and stir to mix.
  3. Simmer soup for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the softened Parmigiano Reggiano rind, cut it into ¼-inch cubes and return to the soup. (Soup can be made ahead to this point.)
  4. Ten minutes before serving, add pasta to simmering soup. When pasta is al dente, 6 to 8 minutes, ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle generously with grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
Chickpea and Pasta Soup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 189 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 23mg 8%
Sodium 258mg 11%
Potassium 125mg 4%
Total Carbohydrates 4g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 1g
Protein 12g 24%
Vitamin A 3%
Vitamin C 11%
Calcium 37%
Iron 2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.