Chickpea Cordon Bleu Skillet

Introducing chickpea cordon bleu: the cheesy, high-protein vegetarian casserole that’s about to be your new weeknight go-to. Packed with hearty chickpeas and creamy layers baked to golden, bubbly perfection, this is pure comfort food bliss, folks. (Bonus: it’s ready in under 45 minutes!)

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Who else grew up on those frozen chicken cordon bleu dinners? Well, friends, this vegetarian casserole version is here to give you all the nostalgic feels (minus the meat!).

Packed with tender chickpeas and creamy layers of sauce, it’s basically the ultimate comfort food. Whether you’re a full-time vegetarian or just dabbling in meatless meals, chickpea cordon bleu has you covered!

Who Needs Chicken?

• Big on Protein: Chickpeas bring a hearty punch, making this high-protein vegetarian casserole dish equally as filling as the original.
• Gooey Deliciousness: Layers of melty cheese will take you to cozy, creamy food heaven.
• Ridiculously Easy: With 10 ingredients and minimal hands-on effort, this cheesy chickpea bake tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen (spoiler: you didn’t!).

Here’s what goes into this

This chickpea cordon bleu calls for super easy-to-find ingredients (seriously, you probably have most of them)! Jump to the recipe card for exact measurements.

• Roux: We’ll use butter and flour to create a roux, which thickens the sauce to creamy perfection. Opt for unsalted butter for better flavor control.
• Milk: Forms the sauce’s liquid portion. Feel free to use 2%, whole, or even plant-based milk (like almond or oat) for a dairy-free option.
• Sauce Flavors: Parmesan gives the sauce an ultra-rich, nutty flavor (freshly grated is best for meltability, but pre-grated works in a pinch). And Dijon mustard adds a tangy kick to balance the richness of the cheese.
• Chickpeas: Since they’re packed with protein and fiber, chickpeas make this dish hearty and filling. (You can use canned chickpeas for convenience, or try cooking your own chickpeas for a creamier texture!)
• Vegan Ham Slices: Add a smoky flavor (reminiscent of classic cordon bleu). Brands like Simple Truth, Lightlife, or Tofurky are great options here.
• Swiss Cheese: To complete the dish, we’ll tear this creamy, melty cheese into pieces and add it on top before baking.
• Crispy Topping: We’ll use more melted butter, panko, and black pepper to give the topping that classic golden, crispy finish.

Chickpea Tip

Canned chickpeas are a total time-saver and perfect for this recipe, but don’t just drain them—give them a good rinse! Rinsing canned beans removes excess sodium and helps them absorb the sauce better.

It goes like this

Can you believe this easy chickpea dinner idea comes together in under 45 minutes? For the full printable recipe, jump to the recipe card.

1. Make the sauce by whisking warm milk, melted butter, all-purpose flour, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan in a skillet until thick and melty.
2. Add the fillings (chickpeas and vegan ham-style slices).
3. Top it with Swiss cheese pieces, then the crispy topping.
4. Bake until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly
5. Serve warm!

Make It Ahead

If you want to prep your chickpea cordon bleu in advance, just assemble the casserole in the pan without adding the breadcrumbs, then cover and refrigerate it.

When you’re ready, sprinkle on the breadcrumbs and bake just before serving. The unbaked casserole stays fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days, making it a stress-free option for busy weeknights or last-minute dinner parties!

Pairs Well With

Every great casserole deserves a sidekick! Here are a few flavor-packed ideas.

• Boursin Mashed Potatoes: Creamy, garlicky mashed potatoes and all that cheesy, saucy goodness = a match made in comfort-food heaven!
• Kale Chickpea Salad: The perfect way to use up leftover chickpeas while making this meal feel a little lighter and healthier.

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Chickpea Cordon Bleu Skillet (Vegetarian)

5 from 9 ratings

By: Sarah Bond

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Cook: 40 minutes minutes

Total: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Introducing chickpea cordon bleu: the cheesy, high-protein vegetarian casserole that's about to be your new weeknight go-to. Packed with hearty chickpeas and creamy layers baked to golden, bubbly perfection, this is pure comfort food bliss, folks. (Bonus: it's ready in under 45 minutes!)

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

Filling

• ▢ 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, 28 g
• ▢ 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour, 20 g
• ▢ 2 cups milk, 2%, whole, or plant-based, warmed, 475 mL
• ▢ 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard, 30 g
• ▢ ½ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese, 50 g
• ▢ 2 15-oz cans chickpeas, drained, 425 g cans
• ▢ 1 5.5 oz package vegan ham-style slices, chopped, some brands to look for include Simple Truth, Lightlife, and Tofurky, 155 g
• ▢ 3 slices Swiss cheese, torn into large pieces

Crispy Topping

• ▢ 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted, 14 g
• ▢ 1 cup panko, 50 g
• ▢ ½ tsp ground black pepper

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Instructions 

• Sauce: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Warm 2 cups milk in the microwave (or on the stove) just until lukewarm. Melt 2 Tbsp unsalted butter in an oven-safe skillet, then whisk in 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour. Drizzle in the milk while whisking, then whick in 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard and ½ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese.
  
• Fillings: Remove pan from heat, and stir in 2 15-oz cans chickpeas (drained) and 1 5.5 oz package vegan ham-style slices (chopped).
  
• Top It: Tear the 3 slices Swiss cheese into pieces and top pan with them.

  Melt 1 Tbsp unsalted butter (in the microwave or on the stove), and mix it with 1 cup panko and ½ tsp ground black pepper. Sprinkle mixture over the cheese.
  
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until top is golden brown and filling is bubbling at the edges. Serve warm!
  

Notes

If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, prepare the sauce and fillings in any pan. Then, transfer everything to a baking dish and top with cheese and breadcrumbs.

To make a vegan chickpea cordon bleu, use plant-based butter, non-dairy milk, vegan Parmesan, and vegan Swiss cheese (or a similar option).

For a gluten-free option, swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend, and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs for the topping.

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For the crispiest topping, reheat individual portions in the oven at 375°F (190°C) to keep that golden crunch.

This vegetarian cordon bleu also freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, then wrap it in foil or transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 28.7g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 233mg | Fiber: 2.6g | Calcium: 284mg | Iron: 1.4mg

Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.

did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!