Easy Chickpea Noodle Soup

All of the familiar, comforting and warm flavors of mom’s classic chicken noodle soup, without the chicken. Our delicious plant-based version is made hearty and healthy, by swapping chicken for chickpeas, giving it just the right amount of texture, a boost of nutrition, and the comforts of a classic childhood favorite, wrapped up in a bowl of deliciousness! 

This recipe is super simple to prepare with pantry staples, making it an ideal option on busy evenings.

Chicken noodle soup is one of my childhood favorites. How can a bowl of soup create so many wonderful childhood memories? My personal favorite, was the warmth of the bowl cradled in my hands while snuggling up on the couch, as my mom gently took care of me when home sick? Or the entire family together at the dinner table enjoying a piping hot bowl, while sharing the best parts of our day during a time when cellphones ceased to exist? Whatever the memory may be for you, I am hopeful it involves a breezy fall or winter day, family gathered together, and most definitely a warm cozy blanket. 

When making the switch to a more whole food plant-based diet, B and I knew we would ask mom’s permission to turn her classic chicken noodle soup recipe into something new, fresh and exciting. A comforting classic our girls could build memories around too. Of course, she agreed! Thanks, mom!

A Soup For All Seasons

This recipe is not just for cold winter days. It is ultra filling, packed with nutrition and quick to prepare, making it your next go-to recipe any time of year!

Easy Chickpea Noodle Soup Ingredients

This delicious classic is made with chickpeas instead of chicken, giving it a nutritious boost of protein and fiber. Here are a few ingredients you will need to get started:

• Vegetable broth – A flavorful and healthy alternative to oil when wanting to sauté vegetables. It also happens to be an important ingredient for soup. 🙂
• Chickpeas – The perfect plant powered substitute for chicken, packing a nutritious punch.
• Rotini pasta – Whole wheat rotini is nutrient dense and our favorite in this recipe; however, there are many delicious choices to pick from and all will work here. 
• Onion, carrots and celery – These are the perfect blend of vegetables and the backbone to an age old classic recipe. 
• Garlic, Parsley and Tarragon – For a delicious depth of flavor, bringing all of the ingredients together.

Don’t forget an oven fresh loaf of french bread, perfect for soaking up that scrumptious broth. 

Find the full recipe below with measurements. 

How To Store Easy Chickpea Noodle Soup  

• Refrigerator – Once soup has cooled completely, transfer to an airtight container. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. 
• Freezer-friendly – Whip up a double batch of our delicious Chickpea Noodle Soup and freeze half for a rainy day. Before adding your pasta, transfer a portion of the soup to another pot and allow it to cool completely. Then, store soup in a freezer-safe airtight container, leaving space at the top for expansion.  
• Reheat – When ready to enjoy another serving, allow the soup to thaw in the refrigerator. Then, transfer the soup to a pot and reheat on the stove, adding freshly cooked pasta once the desired temperature has been reached. Enjoy!

Simple Variations & Tips For Easy Chickpea Noodle Soup

• Substitute other pastas – We love whole wheat rotini pasta in the recipe; although, any short cut version works great. Try penne, elbow or medium shells in place of rotini.
• Gluten free – The flavor and texture of chickpea pasta in this recipe is divine. First, prepare the pasta according to directions, then add it to your pot of soup near the end of cooking.
• Add pasta for the remaining 15 minutes – Pasta will continue to soften and plump long after cooking is complete. Adding noodles to your pot closer to the end of cooking will reduce the amount of vegetable broth soaked up by the pasta.
• Don’t forget the bread – To soak up the yummy broth, serve this soup with your favorite bread, fresh out of the oven!

Decide to change it up? Let us know how it turns out in the comments below. Getting creative in the kitchen is what we do best!

More Vegan Main Dish Recipes

If you love our Easy Chickpea Noodle Soup recipe as much as we do, then check out these delicious recipes:

• Creamy Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo
• Chickpea Salad Sandwich

5 from 2 reviews

Easy Chickpea Noodle Soup

September 12, 2023

Servings: 4-6

Prep: 15 min

Cook: 20 min

Total: 35 min

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Try a fresh new plant-based spin on an old favorite. Our Chickpea Noodle Soup recipe is made hearty and healthy, by swapping chicken for chickpeas. It is super simple to prepare with pantry staples, making it an ideal option on those busy evenings.

By: Katie Moszer

Ingredients

• ¼ cup vegetable broth or water, more as needed
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 3 medium carrots, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp parsley
• 1 tsp tarragon
• ¼ tsp salt/pepper
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained/rinsed
• 3 cups whole wheat rotini pasta
• Notes:
• Substitute any short cut pasta in this recipe. Try penne, elbow or medium shells in place of rotini.
• Gluten free pasta works great in this recipe. Prepare the pasta first, according to directions, then add it to your pot of soup near the end of cooking.
• To soak up this delicious broth, serve this soup with your favorite bread fresh out of the oven!

Directions

• Step 1 Bring vegetable broth or water to a boil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and celery, and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.
• Step 2 Add carrots. Stir to combine and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until carrots are tender, adding more vegetable broth or water a tablespoon at a time as needed to avoid sticking.
• Step 3 Add garlic, parsley, tarragon, and salt/pepper and sauté, stirring continuously for 30 seconds, or just until fragrant.
• Step 4 Stir in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil, then add chickpeas and rotini pasta.
• Step 5 Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, or until pasta is al dente and all those flavors have come together.
• Step 6 Ladle soup into serving bowls and enjoy!