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Another tasty dish with everyone’s favorite creamy Italian-style sauce that will win some hearts! These creamy Tuscan marry me chickpeas are a delicious vegetarian twist on the ever-popular marry me chicken. Instead of chicken, this tasty sauce is made using chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. The sauce is incredibly creamy and luxurious, making this dish the ultimate comfort food. You’ll love that this chickpea with Tuscan sauce recipe can be on the table in just 20 minutes! It works well as a main or a side dish, making it versatile.

A bowl of creamy Tuscan marry me chickpeas and spinach with herbs and spices simmers in a light blue pot on a marble countertop.

Make my creamy Tuscan marry me chickpeas over mash, rice or pasta, and enjoy its incredibly delicious and rich flavors.

If you love the sound of this dish, try marry me salmon, this gnocchi version, marry me chicken meatballs, or classic marry me chicken.

A bowl of creamy Tuscan chickpeas with sun-dried tomatoes and white rice, garnished with parsley. A dish of fresh spinach and cloves of garlic are visible in the background.

Why You’ll Love It

Packed with flavor: Bold sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Italian herbs, and parmesan create a delicious medley of flavors.
Quick and easy: You can have this tasty meal on the table in under 30 minutes, great for busy weeknights.
Versatile: Serve it with pasta, rice, or crusty bread, or enjoy it as a side dish with your favorite protein. Great as a main or a side dish.
One-pan wonder: Minimal cleanup is required since everything comes together in one skillet. Yay!

A creamy Tuscan spinach and chickpea dish is cooked in a large pan, garnished with herbs. Ingredients and a grater are visible on the marble countertop, perfectly setting the scene for this "marry me" meal.

Creamy Tuscan Chickpeas Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Olive oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil or substitute it with your preferred frying oil.
Sundried tomatoes: Use pre-sliced sun-dried tomatoes or slice your own into strips.
Garlic: For best results, use fresh garlic cloves. Or you can swap the fresh garlic cloves for 4 heaped teaspoons of minced garlic.
Italian seasoning: Use store-bought Italian seasoning or a homemade version.
Chicken stock: The chicken stock can be substituted with vegetable stock.
Heavy cream: For best results, use whole-fat heavy cream in this recipe. Whole-fat coconut cream could be used in place of heavy cream.
Chickpeas: Use canned chickpeas that have been drained and rinsed.
Baby spinach leaves: The baby spinach leaves are a great addition to this dish but you can leave them out if you prefer.
Parmesan cheese: Use pre-shredded parmesan cheese or grate your own.

Ingredients on a marble surface for creamy Tuscan chickpeas, spinach such as olive oil, cheese, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, milk, lemon juice, herbs, and seasoning.

How to Make Marry Me Chickpeas

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute, stirring, until fragrant.
Simmer the sauce: Pour in chicken stock, heavy cream, and chickpeas. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes or until the mixture thickens.
Add spinach and cheese: Stir in baby spinach and parmesan cheese. Cook for another minute until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts. Season with salt and pepper. Top with fresh parsley and serve.

A marry me creamy Tuscan chickpea and spinach stew with sun-dried tomatoes, garnished with parsley, in a pot with a ladle.

Substitutions and Variations

Sun-dried tomatoes: If you prefer a milder, less tangy flavor, use roasted red peppers or fresh cherry tomatoes. For a different taste, try marinated artichokes.
Heavy cream: Swap with Half & Half or coconut milk for a lighter or dairy-free option. Add a touch of cream cheese for a thicker, richer sauce.
Chickpeas: For a similar creamy texture, use white beans (cannellini beans or butter beans) or swap with lentils for more fiber. For a heartier meal, skip the chickpeas entirely and add cooked pasta or gnocchi.
Baby spinach: Kale, arugula or Swiss chard can replace spinach for a heartier, more textured green. Mix in frozen spinach or a handful of fresh basil for extra flavor.
Parmesan cheese: For a saltier or milder taste, use Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano. For a dairy-free option, try nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Chicken stock: Use vegetable stock for a vegetarian-friendly dish or white wine for a more decadent sauce. Replace stock with tomato sauce for a more robust, tomato-based dish.
Fresh parsley: Swap with fresh basil, cilantro, or chives for a different herb garnish. Skip the garnish or use lemon zest for a fresh, citrusy touch.
Flavor boosters: Add a little heat by adding some crushed red pepper flakes, diced bell peppers, extra veggies like asparagus, zucchini, broccoli, or mushrooms.

A bowl of creamy marry me chickpeas with white rice, garnished with parsley, sits next to a pot of curry and a bowl of fresh spinach, creating a Tuscan-inspired delight.

Serving Suggestions

Appetizer: Enjoy these cheesy corn dogs with jalapenos or this Heirloom burrata salad.
Main: Serve these marry me chickpeas with creamy mashed potatoes, rice or noodles.
Dessert: End with a slice of dreamy creme brulee cheesecake or my bright and breezy key lime pie. These lemon bars are pretty yummy too.

A creamy Tuscan chickpea dish with spinach, herbs, and chickpeas is served in a large pot, accompanied by a ladle. The rich sauce is perfectly complemented by chopped parsley, making it an irresistible culinary experience.

How to Store Creamy Tuscan Chickpeas

Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer: These chickpeas are suitable for freezing. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. 
Thaw: Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Reheat: Reheat until piping hot in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.

A spoonful of creamy marry me Tuscan chickpea spinach, garnished with parsley, is held above a pot. The inviting kitchen scene features salt and pepper shakers on the counter, ready to enhance this delightful dish that could easily be called "marry me" chickpeas.

Top Tips

Make a thicker sauce: For a thicker sauce, make a cornstarch slurry by combining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir through the sauce until thickened.
Use it in different ways: These marry me chickpeas are great served as either a main or a side dish.
Add animal protein: Slices of grilled chicken could be added to the chickpeas for a chicken and chickpea dish.
Rinse canned chickpeas: If using canned chickpeas, make sure to rinse and drain them well to remove excess sodium and improve texture.
Use fresh garlic: Fresh garlic gives the sauce a robust, aromatic flavor. It’s worth the extra effort over pre-minced or powdered garlic.

A bowl of creamy marry me Tuscan chickpeas dinner with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, served with white rice. A spoon holds a portion above the bowl, enticing you to savor this delightful dish. In the background, a pot of curry and a bowl of spinach complete this inviting scene.

Tuscan Chickpeas FAQs

Can I make this dish vegan?

Yes! You can substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or a plant-based milk alternative, use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock, and replace the parmesan cheese with a vegan cheese or nutritional yeast.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as all the ingredients you use (like chicken stock or parmesan) are certified gluten-free.

How can I make the sauce thicker?

If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer, or whisk in a little more parmesan cheese or a small amount of cornstarch slurry to thicken it up.

A bowl of creamy Tuscan marry me chickpeas with rice, garnished with parsley. Surrounding items include garlic cloves, fresh spinach, grated cheese, and a fork on a white marble surface.

Chickpeas with Creamy Tuscan Sauce Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Chickpeas

Make my creamy Tuscan marry me chickpeas over mash, rice, or pasta, and enjoy its incredibly delicious and rich flavors.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ Cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
  • 4 Cloves garlic, finely chopped or minced
  • 1 Teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 Cup chicken stock
  • 1 Cup heavy cream
  • 26 Ounces canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 2 Cups baby spinach leaves, packed
  • ¼ Cup parmesan cheese, shredded
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ Cup fresh parsley, chopped, optional garnish

Instructions 

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over a medium heat. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and Italian seasoning, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant.
  • Add the chicken stock, heavy cream and chickpeas and bring to a simmer. Continue simmering for 5 minutes or until thickened.
  • Add the baby spinach leaves and parmesan cheese to the chickpeas and cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute or until the spinach has wilted and the cheese has melted. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley, if using, and serve.

Notes

Make a thicker sauce: For a thicker sauce, make a cornstarch slurry by combining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir through the sauce until thickened.
Use it in different ways: These marry me chickpeas are great served as either a main or a side dish.
Add animal protein: Slices of grilled chicken could be added to the chickpeas for a chicken and chickpea dish.
Rinse canned chickpeas: If using canned chickpeas, make sure to rinse and drain them well to remove excess sodium and improve texture.
Use fresh garlic: Fresh garlic gives the sauce a robust, aromatic flavor. It’s worth the extra effort over pre-minced or powdered garlic.

Nutrition

Calories: 481kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 765mg | Potassium: 729mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2861IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 220mg | Iron: 4mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

This creamy Tuscan marry me chickpeas dish offers a fun twist on the classic marry me chicken. Instead of chicken, chickpeas soak up the rich, luxurious sauce, making it the perfect comfort food. The best part? You can have this delicious dish ready in just 20 minutes. It’s incredibly easy and works great as both a main course and a side, making it super-versatile.

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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Recipe Rating




5 from 2 votes

4 Comments

  1. This was one of the best dishes I have ever made!!! I am total foodie and am VERY picky, this was amazing! I will be making it all the time!!

  2. 5 stars
    I tried the creamy Tuscan marry me chickpeas, and it was amazing! The sauce is so rich and comforting. Definitely making this again soon!