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  • 2 slices white bread
    crusts off and torn into pieces
  • 75g parmesan
    or vegetarian alternative, 50g roughly chopped and 25g grated
  • 400g can chickpea
    drained
  • 3 garlic cloves
    2 roughly chopped and 1 crushed
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • small handful basil leaves
    chopped
  • 1 egg
    beaten
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
    plus extra for greasing
  • 560ml jar passata
    with onions and garlic
  • 200g spaghetti
    linguine or tagliatelle

Nutrition: per serving

  • kcal607
  • fat19g
  • saturates6g
  • carbs85g
  • sugars9g
  • fibre6g
  • protein30g
  • salt2.15g
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Method

  • step 1

    Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Whizz the bread and roughly chopped Parmesan in a food processor to crumbs, then throw in the chickpeas, roughly chopped garlic, half the oregano, a few basil leaves and some seasoning. Pulse until the mixture starts to come together, then add just enough of the egg while the motor is running to bind together. Shape into 18 small balls. Transfer to an oiled baking sheet and cook in the oven for 15 mins, turning halfway.

  • step 2

    Meanwhile, in a large pan, fry the crushed garlic in the olive oil for 1 min. Then tip in the passata, remaining oregano and some seasoning and simmer until the chickpea balls are ready. Cook pasta following pack instructions.

  • step 3

    When the chickpea balls are cooked, serve over the pasta, with the tomato sauce and the rest of the basil on top. Sprinkle with the grated Parmesan.

Recipe from Good Food magazine, April 2011

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Comments, questions and tips (25)

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Overall rating

A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.42 ratings

Carinjo

Was looking for something to do with all my chickpeas, this is a lovely recipe. I ended up mixing with 250g beef mince and making giant meatballs. Came out great.

Claire H 2 avatar

Claire H 2

I made these today. I used string cheddar (vegetarian) and added blended carrots to the sauce. I then served with cous cous. It went down well, even my 4yr old like the meal! It's also good as you can make earlier in the day and pop in the oven when you're ready.

bethbiscuits avatar

bethbiscuits

These are a firm family favourite in my household, really simple to make and healthy too!

I make extra balls put them in the fridge, really tasty to have as a lunch or light snack with a bit of mayo

Jollymaree

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

I made these tonight and they were delicious! I used a basic tomato sauce recipe and cheddar cheese. Would definitely make it again especially for my daughter who doesn't eat meat.

jo_ce2001 avatar

jo_ce2001

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

These were great, good consistency and with garlic pasata a really tasty sauce., only rating this down because I don't feel the garlic cooked enough and was quite strong. Yes, Parmesan isn't veggie but you can use alternatives as the recipe suggests. I'm not veggie but eat veggie a lot of the time…

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