Spanish Chickpea and Spinach Stew

Smoked paprika is what gives this stew its Spanish lean, offering a different smokiness than the chipotle or chili powder I use in my Tex-Mex dishes. Chickpeas and spinach together make this a fully plant-based meal that still feels substantial.

Smoked paprika brings a distinct flavor that's different from anything else in my chickpea recipes, leaning more into a Spanish tapas style than an Indian or Thai curry. Chickpeas hold their shape well through the simmer.

Spinach wilts in quickly at the end, so it doesn't need much cooking time to add its color and nutrients to the stew. This is a simple dish, but the smoked paprika does a lot to make it taste distinct.

The recipe card has the full ingredient list and simmer time for the entire ten-portion batch. Let the stew cool before portioning it into containers, then refrigerate what you'll eat within four days and freeze the rest. This Spanish-style stew is a good change of pace from my other chickpea dishes.

Nutrition note: This is general food information, not individualized medical or nutrition advice.

Spanish Chickpea and Spinach Stew

YIELD

10 portions

ESTIMATED NUTRITION

275 calories • 12g protein • 38g carbs • 9g fat per portion

What I really like about this recipe is how different smoked paprika makes it taste from my other chickpea-based meals.

Ingredients

• 5 cans chickpeas, drained

• 15 cups spinach

• 2 cans diced tomatoes

• 2 1/2 onion, diced

• 4 tbsp olive oil

• 5 tsp smoked paprika

• 6 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tsp cumin

Directions

1. Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until softened, about 6 minutes.

2. Add the tomatoes, chickpeas, smoked paprika, and cumin; simmer 15 minutes.

3. Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted, 3–4 minutes.

4. Let the food cool briefly, then divide it evenly among 10 airtight meal-prep containers.

Meal-prep notes: Refrigerate promptly and use refrigerated portions within 3–4 days; freeze any portions you will not eat in that window. Reheat hot meals until steaming. Nutrition is estimated per portion.