This high-protein pasta should be part of your next favorite meal

For tasty, protein-rich noodles, try chickpea pasta. Of course, adding meat will give it an extra protein boost, like when you add canned salmon to your pasta or make an unforgettable shrimp pasta. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, chickpea pasta won't disappoint. While the protein content can vary by brand, a 57-gram (2-ounce) serving of chickpea pasta contains between 11 and 14 grams of protein. By comparison, this is about twice the protein of traditional white or whole-wheat pasta.

Chickpeas are a type of legume, like lentils, beans, and peas, and are considered a good source of protein, fiber, and other micronutrients. Besides being the main ingredient in hummus, they are often added to salads (such as a tasty chickpea salad with chorizo ​​and feta cheese), soups, and stews. While traditional pasta is made with durum wheat flour, chickpea pasta is made with ground chickpeas (chickpea flour). Although some brands of chickpea pasta use only chickpea flour, others contain additional ingredients, such as pea starch and xanthan gum, a food additive frequently used in gluten-free baking to improve texture.

Besides being high in protein, most brands of chickpea pasta are gluten-free, making them a good alternative to wheat pasta for those following a gluten-free diet. Chickpea pasta is also vegan, as it's generally made with only plant-based ingredients. However, it's always a good idea to check the labels to be sure. Whether you make it vegan or add meat, you can use chickpea pasta to prepare a delicious, protein-rich meal.

Ingredients that complement chickpea pasta

Like chickpeas, chickpea pasta has a nutty, earthy flavor that is generally described as mild and not overpowering. Some say the nuttiness can be masked with sauce, while others claim that certain sauces, such as tomato sauce, can enhance the pasta's earthy taste. Like other gluten-free pastas, its texture can be somewhat grainier than that of traditional pasta.

While you can substitute chickpea pasta for traditional pasta in almost any dish, it tends to pair best with creamy sauces made with butter or olive oil, strong cheeses, and slightly bitter, earthy vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, cabbage, and arugula. Make a delicious chickpea pasta carbonara with chickpea spaghetti, pancetta, egg yolks, and Romano or Parmesan cheese. For a vegetarian version of spaghetti carbonara, omit the pancetta and add vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms.

Why not take advantage of the flavor of chickpeas and incorporate them into your pasta? Prepare a protein-rich chickpea pasta with canned chickpeas, spinach, and Parmesan or Romano cheese. Cook the ingredients in a refreshing sauce made with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. For a crispier texture, you can roast the chickpeas in the oven with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Chickpea noodles come in a variety of shapes, such as spaghetti, cavatappi, rotini, macaroni, and penne. If you'd like to try these delicious pastas, we recommend popular brands like Banza Chickpea Pasta and Barilla Chickpea Pasta.