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
Equipment
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.