Hi friends! Boy, it’s been a busy couple weeks around here. One of my best friends from high school got married over the weekend! Last week was full of work, getting ready for the wedding, rehearsal dinners, and late nights. I barely had time to get anything done this past weekend and all I wanted to do was sleep, haha. In fact I slept in until almost noon on Sunday. You gotta catch up when you can!
I am excited to share with you all a new recipe concept that I’m introducing to the blog today– RECIPE FORMULAS! Most often, especially during busy weeks, this is how I cook at home. With simple, sometimes pre-made ingredients (like jarred pesto!), it really helps out when I’m stressed and/or super busy. Don’t get me wrong, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with following a detailed recipe and spending time in the kitchen, but sometimes there isn’t any time! 
I’ve also been trying to be more budget-conscious as we have a lot of stuff to save for in our future (a wedding someday soon + buying a house next year) so I try to make my recipe formulas as cost-effective as possible. Sometimes it is cheaper to make an ingredient yourself, but sometimes it isn’t, and sometimes the time you save is totally worth it.
Today’s recipe for Quick, Cheap & Easy is a Pesto Pasta with Roasted Chickpeas. We make this quite often– and it’s so affordable at only $1.50 per serving! It seriously takes less than 20 minutes for this meal from start to finish. While you’re roasting the chickpeas you can boil the pasta, and once it’s done you can toss it all together. The chickpeas are a great source of protein and fiber to the dish and taste great roasted with garlic and basil.
These are ingredients you probably already have on hand, minus the pesto. Dried pasta, canned beans (low sodium), various herbs and spices, and olive oil are common pantry staples. My favorite jarred pesto is Classico’s– and it’s only $3 at Walmart.
Are you a pesto fan? Do you like roasted chickpeas?
Hi! I’m Emily, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and self-taught intuitive chef. I firmly believe that cooking is the simplest and most important step we can take to improve our minds and bodies and build healthier communities. Join me and let’s bring food back to the kitchen!
I love pesto, it’s a great way to use up leftover herbs!
It really is! I have a basil plant on my balcony that is just about done. I need to use up the rest of it before it dies on me haha!
This is so awesome! Perfect weenight dinner meal :) Pinning!
Thanks Selena! I made this last night in seriously under 20 minutes. So great after a long day at work!
Yum! I always have a jar of Costco’s pesto in the fridge, so I can’t wait to try this!
I haven’t tried Costco’s pesto! I bet it’s really good.
this sounds so tasty! Im in love with pesto :)
Me too! I could eat it every day!
I love pesto! I’m trying to grow my own basil so I can make my own.
I tried growing my own basil, but it always dies on me haha. I live in an apartment with a tiny balcony. I can’t wait to have a big backyard someday where I can make a garden!
I can’t get enough of roasted chickpeas – so crunchy! They took over my snacking there for awhile! This recipe sounds fantastic – love anything pesto this time of year – I have my basil plants just waiting to be picked!!
Pesto is so amazing in the summer months!
Love the graphic! Such a fun way to post an easy recipe like this!
Thanks Jessica! It’s fun and easy to pin.