Creamy chickpeas baked with tender spinach and salty feta, a comforting meatless casserole that feels hearty, warm, and deeply satisfying.
Prep & Cook Time
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. This step builds the base flavor of the casserole without browning the garlic.
Add the chickpeas to the skillet and season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and oregano. Stir well and cook for a few minutes so the chickpeas absorb the seasoning.
Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until just wilted. The spinach should soften while keeping its bright color and fresh taste.
Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook briefly until the sauce slightly thickens and coats the chickpeas evenly.
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle the crumbled feta evenly over the top. The feta will melt slightly and create a savory crust.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F until bubbly and lightly golden on top. Remove from the oven and let it rest briefly before serving.
Nutrition Facts (per serving, estimate, serves 4)
Calories: 430
Protein: 17g
Carbs: 38g
Fat: 24g
Fiber: 8g
Sugar: 4g
Quick Facts
Cuisine: American
Skill: Easy
Best for: Meatless dinner, meal prep
Texture: Creamy with tender chickpeas
Tips
Rinsing the chickpeas thoroughly removes excess sodium and helps the sauce taste cleaner and more balanced.
Letting the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking helps the sauce set and improves the final texture.
Variations
For extra richness, mix a small amount of cream cheese into the sauce before baking. This adds body and a smoother finish.
For added vegetables, include sliced mushrooms or diced bell peppers when cooking the chickpeas, a strategy that also works great in this sheet pan tofu recipe to blend flavors and add texture.
For a lighter version, replace part of the cream with milk and reduce the feta slightly, a balance also found in dishes like these stuffed bell peppers recipes that keep flavor without extra richness.