Jennifer Garner Pasta: 20-Minute Recipe

• Jennifer Garner debuted “Naptime Cook Club” with a quick pasta e ceci recipe.
• The chickpea-based dish is rich in fiber, protein and heart-healthy ingredients.
• The flexible recipe works for busy families and even busier weeknights.

Jennifer Garner has a solution for those hectic weeknights: a comforting pasta dish that’s quick to prepare and surprisingly nutritious. The actor recently launched “Naptime Cook Club,” a new segment within her popular #PretendCookingShow series on Instagram, and the debut recipe is already winning fans.

“Welcome to my Pretend Cooking Show,” Garner says in the reel. “This is Naptime Cook Club… When my kids were little, my dream was to have dinner made during part of their nap and have a little bit of nap time left.” This simple dinner is a go-to for Garner when time is short.

The recipe, pasta e ceci, originates from food blogger Smitten Kitchen. This classic Italian dish combines pasta, chickpeas, and chicken in a hearty and flavorful meal. Garner playfully describes her version as “gourmet Spaghetti-Os” that are “oh-so delicious.”

The ingredients list is refreshingly straightforward: olive oil, chicken, garlic, tomato paste, chickpeas, and ditalini pasta (or any small pasta shape). Salt and pepper round out the essentials.

“We’re gonna start by poaching some chicken,” Garner explains. “While the water is still room temperature, we’re adding these chicken breasts. There’s nothing to this.”

As the chicken poaches, Garner heats olive oil in a saucepan until it shimmers, then adds garlic cloves, cooking them until browned and fragrant. She then stirs in tomato paste, salt, and pepper, allowing the mixture to brown for about 30 seconds.

Next, she adds the chickpeas, pasta, and boiling water to the pot, stirring everything together and simmering for 15-20 minutes, until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the pasta is cooked through. Garner enhances her pasta e ceci with shredded, poached chicken and steamed broccoli, though the original Smitten Kitchen recipe also features an herbaceous finishing oil.

“Steam this broccoli, dinner is done,” Garner says, adding the final touches to her dish. She also notes that the dish is suitable for baby-led weaning, as the bean and pasta mixture can be easily mashed for little ones.

Garner’s quick and easy meal, reminiscent of elevated Spaghetti-Os, also boasts impressive nutritional benefits. Chickpeas are a great source of fiber and potassium, and incorporating beans into weekly meal plans is a budget-friendly move. Add chicken for protein and a side of steamed broccoli, and you have a delicious and healthy dinner—even without a naptime time crunch.