The Ultimate Mediterranean Chickpea Bake (with Feta!)
Imagine a bubbling, fragrant stew of chickpeas simmered in a rich, spiced tomato sauce with wilted spinach, all tucked under a golden, melted blanket of salty feta cheese. That, my friends, is the soul-warming comfort of this one-pot Mediterranean Chickpea Casserole. This is, without a doubt, the most flavorful and satisfying vegetarian meal you will…
Imagine a bubbling, fragrant stew of chickpeas simmered in a rich, spiced tomato sauce with wilted spinach, all tucked under a golden, melted blanket of salty feta cheese. That, my friends, is the soul-warming comfort of this one-pot Mediterranean Chickpea Casserole. This is, without a doubt, the most flavorful and satisfying vegetarian meal you will make all season.
I promise you, there is no greater joy than pulling this sizzling pan from the broiler, with its beautifully browned feta top and incredible aroma of warm spices like oregano, allspice, and cloves. It’s rustic, elegant, and packed with layers of flavor. It’s the kind of dish that’s perfect for tearing off a piece of crusty bread and dipping right in.
Get ready to create a show-stopping, one-pan vegetarian main that is as easy to make on a weeknight as it is impressive for a dinner party.
Why This Chickpea Casserole is an Absolute Winner!
You are going to be amazed by the depth of flavor in this simple, wholesome dish. It’s a true keeper. Here’s why you have to try it:
- A True One-Pot Wonder: Everything comes together in a single broiler-safe skillet or pan, making for incredibly easy cooking and even easier cleanup.
- Packed with Mediterranean Flavor: The combination of tomatoes, warm spices, oregano, and lemon creates a rich, savory, and aromatic sauce that is completely irresistible.
- Hearty and Satisfying: Loaded with protein-rich chickpeas and spinach, this is a vegetarian dish that is genuinely filling and substantial.
- Stunning Broiled Feta Topping: The final step of broiling the feta creates a beautiful golden-brown crust that adds a salty, creamy, and textural contrast to the stew.
- Allergy-Friendly & Versatile: This dish is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, with a super easy option to make it vegan by using vegan feta or omitting it entirely.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 40 minutes |
| Total Time | 45 minutes |
| Servings | 4 servings |
| Calories | 311 kcal per serving |
| Course | Main Course, Side Dish |
| Cuisine | Mediterranean |
| Difficulty/Method | Easy / One-Pot |
Your Shopping List for This Mediterranean Feast
This recipe uses simple, powerful pantry staples to build its incredible flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
→ For the Casserole
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil → For sautéing the aromatics and adding rich flavor.
- 2 medium red onions → Diced. They provide a sweet, savory foundation.
- 3 cloves garlic → Minced. A Mediterranean cooking essential!
- 1 (24 oz) jar passata (strained tomatoes) → The secret to a smooth, rich tomato base. Use crushed tomatoes if you can’t find it.
- 1 cup vegetable broth → To create the perfect stew consistency.
- 2 dried bay leaves → Infuses the stew with a subtle, deep herbal note.
- 3 cups cooked chickpeas → Two 15-ounce cans, rinsed and drained, work perfectly.
- 3 packed cups baby spinach → Wilts down beautifully into the stew.
- 1 lemon → You’ll use the fresh juice to brighten up all the flavors at the end.
- ⅔ cup crumbled feta cheese → The salty, creamy topping. Use a vegan version or omit for a dairy-free dish.
- Chopped flat leaf parsley → For a fresh, green garnish.
→ For the Spices & Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt → Plus more to taste.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano → The quintessential Mediterranean herb.
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves → Adds a surprising, warm depth.
- ¼ teaspoon allspice → Provides a complex, warm spice note.
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne → For a very gentle background heat.
- 1 tablespoon cane sugar → Optional, but helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Black pepper → To taste.
Let’s Get Cooking! Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to create a deeply flavorful, one-pan masterpiece? Let’s get started!
Part 1: Build the Flavorful Stew
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep, broiler-safe sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until translucent. Reduce the heat to medium, add the minced garlic and salt, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the passata, vegetable broth, bay leaves, oregano, cloves, allspice, and cayenne. Cover the pan with a lid, bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Reduce and Thicken: Stir in the chickpeas. Continue to cook, now uncovered, for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the liquid to reduce by about one-third and thicken into a beautiful, rich stew.
Part 2: Finish and Broil
- Prep the Broiler: While the stew reduces, position an oven rack so the top of your pan will be about 4 inches from the heat source. Turn your oven’s broiler on.
- Final Additions: Remove and discard the bay leaves from the stew. Stir in the fresh baby spinach and cook for about 2 minutes, just until it has wilted. Turn off the heat and stir in the sugar (if using) and the fresh lemon juice. Season with black pepper and more salt if needed.
- Broil to Perfection: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the top of the entire stew. Carefully place the pan under the preheated broiler. Broil for about 5 minutes, watching it very carefully, until the cheese is melted and beautifully golden brown in spots.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot with crusty bread or pita for dipping.
Mediterranean Chickpea Casserole with Spinach and Feta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large broiler-safe sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, add garlic and salt, and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Stir in passata, vegetable broth, bay leaves, oregano, cloves, allspice, and cayenne. Cover, bring to a boil, and cook for 20 minutes.
- Stir in the chickpeas. Cook uncovered until the liquid has reduced by one-third, 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Position an oven rack 4 inches from the broiler and turn the broiler on.
- Remove bay leaves from the stew. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in sugar (if using) and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Crumble feta cheese over the top. Broil until the cheese is golden brown, about 5 minutes, watching carefully. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Casserole Perfection
These simple secrets will help you achieve the best flavor and texture every time.
- Use a Broiler-Safe Pan. The key to a true one-pot meal here is using a pan that can go from stovetop to broiler. A well-seasoned cast-iron skillet or a stainless steel sauté pan are perfect choices. If you don’t have one, just transfer the stew to a casserole dish before the final broiling step.
- Don’t Rush the Simmering. The initial 20 minutes of covered simmering is crucial for building the deep, complex flavor base. The final 10-15 minutes of uncovered simmering is what thickens the stew to a perfect, scoopable consistency. Don’t skip these steps!
- Passata is Worth Seeking Out. Passata, or strained tomatoes, provides a uniquely smooth, velvety texture to the sauce that you won’t get from diced or crushed tomatoes. It’s usually found in tall glass jars and is a fantastic pantry staple.
- Watch That Broiler Like a Hawk. I cannot stress this enough. Broilers work incredibly fast and can take your feta from perfectly golden to burnt in a matter of seconds. Stay by the oven and keep a close eye on it.
- Balance with Sugar and Lemon. The small amounts of sugar and lemon juice added at the end are powerhouse ingredients. The sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, and the lemon juice brightens up all the rich, savory flavors. Don’t skip them!
Keep It Fresh! Storing Your Chickpea Casserole
This dish makes for fantastic leftovers and reheats beautifully.
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors will continue to meld and it’s even more delicious the next day!
- Reheating: You can reheat the casserole gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, in the microwave, or in an oven at 275°F until warmed through. The feta topping will soften but still be delicious.
- Freezing: You can freeze the stew before the feta and broiling step. Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, reheat, then top with fresh feta and broil just before serving.
FAQs: Your Chickpea Casserole Questions, Answered!
What is passata and what can I substitute for it?
Passata is simply uncooked tomatoes that have been puréed and strained to remove seeds and skin, resulting in a very smooth sauce. If you can’t find it, the best substitute would be a 28-ounce can of high-quality crushed tomatoes. Avoid tomato sauce (which is often pre-seasoned) or tomato paste (which is too concentrated).
How can I make this dish vegan?
It’s incredibly easy! Simply substitute the regular feta cheese with your favorite brand of vegan feta crumbles. Alternatively, you can omit the cheese entirely. The stew is so flavorful on its own that it’s still absolutely delicious without the topping.
Can I use different beans?
Certainly. While chickpeas are classic for this Mediterranean flavor profile, you could easily substitute them with cannellini beans or another hearty white bean. The texture will be slightly different, but still wonderful.
What are the best things to serve with this?
This dish is fantastic for soaking up with bread! Warm, soft pita bread or a loaf of crusty sourdough is perfect. For a heartier meal, serve it spooned over fluffy white rice, couscous, or quinoa.
Final Thoughts: Your New Favorite One-Pot Meal
There is such a comforting and satisfying feeling that comes from a rustic, one-pan meal that is bursting with flavor and wholesome ingredients. This Mediterranean Chickpea Casserole is a true celebration of simple, beautiful food. It’s a dish that proves that vegetarian cooking can be hearty, exciting, and deeply fulfilling. I hope it becomes a staple in your kitchen. Enjoy!
