One-Pot & Pantry Meals
Chickpea and Tomato Pantry Stew
A gently spiced stew built from canned chickpeas, tomatoes, and everyday aromatics.
This stew is useful when the pantry has more options than the refrigerator. Canned chickpeas and tomatoes provide the base; onion, garlic, and a few spices make it feel like a meal rather than a collection of cans.
Serve it with bread, rice, or couscous. There is no need for a long ingredient list, but do give the tomato base a few minutes to cook before adding the chickpeas. That short pause improves the flavor.
THE RECIPE
Chickpea and Tomato Pantry Stew
Amounts scale automatically. Keep piece sizes similar; pan size and cooking time may need adjustment. Round whole ingredients sensibly.
Ingredients
Canned bean and chickpea amounts refer to the can label weight before draining.
Method
Start the base
Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion for 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic, cumin, and paprika and stir for 30 seconds.
Cook the tomatoes
Add tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the chickpeas
Add chickpeas, stock, and salt. Simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Mash a small spoonful of chickpeas into it if desired.
Taste and serve
Stir in lemon juice. Check seasoning and serve hot with your chosen bread or grain.
Small details that help
Keep spices moving
They only need a short warm-up in the oil; burnt spices taste bitter.
Choose the thickness
Simmer uncovered for a thicker stew or add stock for a soup-like version.
Make it a full plate
A grain or bread makes four modest portions more substantial.
Substitutions & ways to make it yours
Different legumes
White beans can replace chickpeas, but stir them more gently.
Add greens
Fold in a handful of spinach during the last minute.
More warmth
Add chili flakes with the spices rather than doubling all the paprika.
A couple of useful questions
Can I use fresh tomatoes?
Use about 500 g chopped ripe tomatoes and allow extra time for them to break down.
Can I prepare it ahead?
Yes. Refrigerate promptly in a covered container and reheat thoroughly; the sauce may need a splash of water.
