Chickpea and Spinach Stew

A Spanish-style stew with chickpeas, frozen spinach, and smoked tomato broth over rice. Very filling, very cheap.

Total Cost $11.12
Per Serving $2.78
Prep 10 min
Cook 30 min
Servings 4
  • vegan
  • gluten-free
  • chickpeas
  • spinach
  • rice
  • high-fiber
  • high-iron

Ingredients

  • 3 cans (540 mL each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed $4.50
  • 1 can (796 mL) diced tomatoes $2.00
  • 300 g frozen spinach $1.87
  • 200 g dry long-grain white rice $0.50
  • 1 large onion, diced $1.23
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced $0.32
  • 1.5 tsp smoked paprika $0.07
  • 1 tsp ground cumin $0.05
  • 0.5 tsp turmeric $0.05
  • 250 mL vegetable broth or water $0.42
  • 1 tbsp olive or vegetable oil $0.06
  • to taste salt and black pepper $0.05
  • Recipe total$11.12

Instructions

  1. Cook the rice according to package directions. Set aside.
  2. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  3. Add onion and cook 5 minutes until softened.
  4. Add garlic, paprika, cumin, and turmeric. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  5. Pour in the diced tomatoes and broth. Stir to combine.
  6. Add the chickpeas. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered 10 minutes.
  7. Add the frozen spinach directly from frozen. Stir and cook 5–6 minutes until fully thawed and heated through.
  8. Use the back of a spoon to lightly mash some of the chickpeas to thicken the stew.
  9. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and paprika.
  10. Serve over rice.

Nutrition per Serving

Estimated values per serving.

559 Calories
24g Protein
92g Carbs
9g Fat
16g Fiber
390mg Sodium
~40% DV Iron~18% DV Calcium~25% DV Vitamin C

Gluten-Free

This recipe is naturally gluten-free.

All ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Verify vegetable broth if using — most are GF, but check labels.

Budget Notes

  • Frozen spinach is much cheaper per kilogram than fresh and works better in stews.
  • Drop to 2 cans of chickpeas to reduce cost to about $9.00 — calories per serving will drop to approximately 455.
  • A can of white beans can substitute for one can of chickpeas if cheaper that week.
  • A squeeze of lemon over each serving adds brightness cheaply.