Marry Me Chickpeas — Creamy, Budget-Friendly Dinner for the Whole Family

This hearty chickpea dish pairs perfectly with fresh sourdough bread — rich, comforting, and made in under 30 minutes.

Who says budget meals have to be boring? This Marry Me Chickpeas recipe is creamy, herby, and full of flavor — made with spinach, basil, and a touch of Italian seasoning for that irresistible comfort-food taste.

It’s a vegetarian twist on the viral Marry Me Chicken, but at a fraction of the price — under $7 for the whole family.Part of my Feed Your Family on $400 a Month challenge, it’s quick to prepare, deeply satisfying, and perfect for both dinner and lunch the next day.

Creamy Marry Me Chickpeas simmering in a rich tomato, spinach, and basil sauce — the perfect one-pan budget meal. Watch how it’s made on TikTok ↓

🎥 Watch the full video:

👉 Click here to watch my Marry Me Chickpeas recipe on TikTok

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

• 2 cans (540 ml each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tsp sweet Hungarian paprika

• ½ tsp chili flakes or cayenne (optional)

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1 cup vegetable or chicken stock

• ½ cup cream or coconut milk

• 1–2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped

• A handful of fresh basil leaves, torn

• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

• Cooked rice for serving

• Optional: a squeeze of lemon for brightness

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Sauté the base.Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

2. Build the flavor.Stir in tomato paste, paprika, chili flakes, and Italian seasoning. Let everything cook together for 1–2 minutes so the spices release their aroma and deepen the flavor.

3. Add chickpeas and simmer.Add the chickpeas and pour in the stock. Stir well, cover, and simmer for 8–10 minutes to thicken the sauce and let the chickpeas absorb the spices.

4. Add cream and greens.Lower the heat and pour in cream or coconut milk. Add chopped spinach and torn basil leaves. Stir until the greens wilt and the sauce turns creamy and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes.

5. Finish and adjust.Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Add a splash of water if the sauce is too thick. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

6. Serve.Spoon the chickpeas over cooked rice, garnish with fresh parsley or basil, and serve warm.

Watch how I made it step-by-step in my kitchen on TikTok.

💡 Tips & Variations

• Add grilled chicken or tofu for extra protein.

• Use coconut milk instead of cream for a dairy-free version.

• Stir in kale or Swiss chard if you have it on hand.

• Double the recipe for easy lunch leftovers the next day.

💰 Budget Breakdown (Approximate)

Ingredient	Cost (CAD)	Notes
Chickpeas (2 cans)	$2.00
Onion + Garlic	$0.50
Tomato Paste + Spices	$1.00	includes Italian seasoning
Cream or Coconut Milk	$1.20
Spinach + Basil	$1.00
Rice	$1.00	2 cups uncooked
Total	$6.70	Feeds 6 (≈ $1.11/serving)

✅ Still under $7 for 6 servings✅ Perfect for your $400/month family budget

Creamy Marry Me Chickpeas with spinach, basil, and Italian seasoning — served over fragrant rice for a cozy, budget-friendly family dinner.

🍽️ Serving Ideas

• Serve over fluffy rice, bulgur, or quinoa.

• Pair with a light cucumber salad or crusty sourdough bread.

• Great for meal prep — reheats beautifully the next day.

🍳 Watch More Recipes on TikTok

👉 Creamy Garlic Pasta — quick 15-minute dinner

👉 Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta — budget-friendly comfort meal

👉 Lasagna Soup — cozy weekday classic

👉 Cheesy Garlic Rolls — creamy, herby, and under $7

Follow me on TikTok for more budget-friendly family meals →🌿 @marakanita

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