Quick and Easy Harissa Pasta (30-minute meal)

Spicy food lover on a health kick? This harissa pasta is your fiery friend! Made with harissa paste, vibrant baby spinach and a touch of tomato paste, it delivers bold flavors and a rich texture – all without the guilt of heavy cream or cheese. It’s the perfect low-calorie weeknight dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

Harissa pasta in a large pan.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

(You can find the exact measurements and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this page.)

You’ll need basic ingredients for this easy harissa pasta recipe:

Labelled ingredients for harissa pasta.
  • Type of pasta: Linguini or spaghetti is best suited for this pasta recipe. However, you can use any short pasta, if that’s all you have.
  • Harissa paste: (In case you’re not aware, it is a North African spice paste.) You can use either store-bought or homemade harissa paste. I use it in my recipes like harissa yogurt sauce and harissa hummus, too.
  • Dried herbs: You can use Italian seasoning or a mix of dried oregano and thyme.
  • Fresh herbs: Parsley or fresh basil.
  • Stock: Vegetable or chicken stock.
  • Other flavor makers:Fresh garlic, onion, tomato paste and lemon juice.

It is one of the easy pasta recipes you’ll love. Let’s get started.

How to make harissa pasta: step by step

Boil pasta

Boil pasta in a large pot of salted water. Cook al dente and drain.

Reserve some pasta cooking water.

Spaghetti boiling in a pot.

Return the drained pasta back to the pot. Toss with a splash of olive oil and keep covered.

Make harissa pasta sauce

The quantity of harissa for the sauce depends on the spice level you want and the brand of store-bought harissa you’re using.

If you’re making your own harissa paste, it is quite easy to make a spicy version (or less spicy) according to your preference. Here’s a harissa recipe you can try.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Finely chop onions and sauté on medium-low heat.

Onions sauteed in olive oil in a large pan.

​Mince garlic and sauté for a couple of  minutes.

Sauteed onions and minced garlic in a large skillet.

Add harissa paste and tomato paste. Stir for a couple of minutes.

Harissa and tomato paste with sauteed onions and garlic in a large skillet.

Add paprika and dried herbs. Stir for a few minutes until everything comes together.

Spices and dried herbs added to harissa and tomato onion mixture in a large skillet.

Add chicken stock and reserved pasta water. Bring it to a boil.

Let it simmer for 5 minutes on low heat.

Chicken stock being added to harissa and tomato onion mixture in a large skillet.

Add baby spinach and stir until wilted. Remove the pan from heat.

Baby spinach with harissa pasta sauce in a large pan.

Toss

Add the harissa sauce to cooked pasta.

Pasta with harissa sauce in a pot.

Drizzle lemon juice. Stir in fresh grated parmesan and lemon zest.

Pasta with harissa sauce, parmesan and lemon juice and zest in a pot.

Taste and add salt and black pepper (if required). Toss everything until well combined.

Harissa pasta in a pot.

Serve harissa pasta garnished with chopped parsley or fresh basil.

Optional add-ins

  1. Roasted red peppers
  2. ​Roasted cherry tomatoes
  3. Sun-dried tomatoes
  4. Toasted pine nuts

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, if you’re a fan of spice!

Why you’ll love this spicy harissa pasta

  • Bold and spicy flavors
  • Satisfies pasta cravings without the guilt
  • Veggie power
  • Quick and easy weeknight meal
  • Wholesome, nutrient-packed ingredients
  • Customizable
  • Family-friendly
Pasta with harissa sauce on a white plate.

What to serve with harissa pasta

This delicious pasta can be served with a variety of dishes:

Protein

More Pasta Recipes

  1. Silken Tofu Pasta
  2. Butter Chicken Pasta
  3. Mushroom Pesto Pasta

Click here for all the pasta recipes.

Spicy harissa pasta in a large skillet.

Easy Harissa Pasta Recipe

Spicy food lover on a health kick? This harissa pasta is your fiery friend! Made with harissa paste, vibrant baby spinach and a touch of tomato paste, it delivers bold flavors and a rich texture – all without the guilt of heavy cream or cheese. It's the perfect low-calorie weeknight dinner that's ready in under 30 minutes.
Author: Sheeba
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course dinner, LUNCH, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine International
Servings 4
Calories 307.9 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 250 grams (8.8 ounces) linguine or spaghetti
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 3 tablespoons harissa paste
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¾ cup chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 3 tablespoons grated Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 3 tablespoons chopped parsley

STEP BY STEP IMAGES

Scroll back to find detailed recipe photos!

Instructions
 

Boil pasta

  • Boil 250 grams (8.8 ounces) linguine or spaghetti in a large pot of salted water. Cook al dente and drain. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water.
  • Return the drained pasta back to the pot. Toss with a splash of olive oil and keep covered.

Make harissa pasta sauce

  • Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large skillet.
  • Finely chop 1 medium onion and sauté on medium-low heat.
  • Mince 4 cloves garlic and sauté for a couple of  minutes.
  • Add 3 tablespoons harissa paste, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme and ½ teaspoon paprika.
  • Stir for a few minutes until everything comes together.
  • Add ¾ cup chicken stock and reserved pasta water. Bring it to a boil.
  • Let it simmer for 5 minutes on low heat.
  • Add 2 cups baby spinach. Stir on medium heat until wilted.
  • Remove the pan from heat.

Toss

  • Add the sauce to cooked pasta. Drizzle 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
  • Stir in 3 tablespoons grated Parmigiano Reggiano and 2 teaspoons lemon zest.
  • Taste and add salt and black pepper (if required).
  • Garnish with 3 tablespoons chopped parsley and serve.

Video

Notes

  • Stock: Instead of chicken stock + pasta water, you can mix bouillon cubes with 1 cup of pasta water.
  • Salt: Taste and add salt and pepper only if required. There is enough salt and spice in the ingredients.
  • Storing leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This pasta stays fresh for about 4 to 5 days if stored properly.
  • Reheating leftovers: Store some pasta water too. You can sprinkle a little on the pasta when you reheat in the microwave.
  • Making ahead: Harissa pasta sauce can be refrigerated for a week if stored separately. It can be frozen for 2 months.
  • Storing boiled pasta: You can also cook pasta al-dente and freeze it. Store in a large box so that you give it space to expand. Boiled pasta can be frozen for 3 months.
  • Reheating from freezer: Thaw the sauce and pasta completely (overnight in the fridge). Heat the pasta in a pot of boiling water far a minute and quickly drain. Heat the sauce, toss it with the pasta and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Harissa Pasta Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
307.9
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
4.5
g
7
%
Saturated Fat
 
1.2
g
8
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.7
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Cholesterol
 
2.5
mg
1
%
Sodium
 
256.5
mg
11
%
Potassium
 
465.6
mg
13
%
Carbohydrates
 
55.9
g
19
%
Fiber
 
4
g
17
%
Sugar
 
5.3
g
6
%
Protein
 
12.1
g
24
%
Vitamin A
 
2004.5
IU
40
%
Vitamin C
 
18.5
mg
22
%
Calcium
 
109.5
mg
11
%
Iron
 
2.5
mg
14
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

★★★★★Did you try this recipe? Please give a star rating in the comments below ★★★★★

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Author profile photo

Hi! I’m Sheeba, welcome to Go Healthy ever after!

I have a passion for cooking delicious nourishing food that’s easy to cook with fresh natural ingredients free from additives or preservatives. The easy healthy recipes you find here will inspire you to cook with creativity.

2 thoughts on “Quick and Easy Harissa Pasta (30-minute meal)”

  1. 5 stars
    So good to try this out ! I have heard and seen harissa paste. Never knew I will try Harissa Pasta one day . Awesome. My kids liked it . Thats why five stars for you . Haha . So happy to try such new recipes. Thank you Sheeba ! I am officially your fan 😄

5 from 1 vote

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