Harissa pasta is an easy, weeknight dinner that is ready in less than 30 minutes and full of flavor! It’s also vegan friendly and can be made gluten free! 

For those who are wondering if the harissa paste is spicy, not in this recipe! Which means the entire family can enjoy this easy pasta recipe. However, if you do like more of a kick, feel free to increase the harissa or buy a spicy blend. 

What Exactly is Harissa? 

It’s a chili based sauce or paste that is native to North Africa and the Middle East. Some say it’s almost as common as our ketchup! 

The dried chiles are mixed with a few spices, along with olive oil, and lemon juice to form a flavorful sauce that can also be used as a condiment. 

Even though we are using it for pasta, you can also add it to fish or grilled vegetables. 

Ingredients Needed 

• kosher salt
• spaghetti – any variety will work. For those with sensitives, use gluten-free pasta.
• extra-virgin olive oil
• onion
• Harissa – you can use a store-bought sauce or homemade
• cherry tomatoes
• pitted black olives
• Chiffonade basil, plain Greek yogurt, toasted pine nuts are great for optional toppings.

How to Make Easy Harissa Pasta 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a teaspoon of salt, and the spaghetti. Cook according to the instructions on the packaging. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water. 

Heat the oil in a large skillet and saute the onion with salt until golden brown. 

Add the harissa, tomatoes, and olives. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently until the tomatoes begin to break down. 

Add a ¼ cup of pasta water to the skillet at time. Mix well and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. 

Stir and continue cooking until the sauce reaches desired consistency. 

Add the cooked spaghetti and toss in the harissa sauce. 

Serve with toppings! 

How to Store 

Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add water if needed to thin the sauce. 

To freeze the sauce, allow it to cool and transfer to a freezer safe bag or container. When ready, prepare the pasta according to the directions. Thaw the sauce in the fridge overnight or reheat on the stove top over low heat. 

Tips for Making 

• Use cherry tomatoes for the best results. While you could use chopped or canned tomatoes, they may be a little more mushy by the time the sauce finishes cooking. 
• For a creamier sauce, add heavy cream or coconut milk after you add the pasta water. 

What Can You Substitute For Harissa?

Sometimes people choose to swap harissa for a spicy chili paste or sriracha. However, for this recipe I don’t recommend any substitutions just because the flavor is unique. 

More Easy and Tasty Pasta Recipes:

• Green Pea Pasta
• Tuna Pesto Pasta Salad
• Miso Noodles
• Instant Pot Pasta
• Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Sauce with Penne

Harissa Pasta

Harissa pasta is an easy, weeknight dinner that is ready in less than 30 minutes and full of flavor! It’s also vegan friendly and can be made gluten free!

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Servings: 4

Author: Abbie

Ingredients

• 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt divided
• 8 ounces dry spaghetti or whole wheat spaghetti
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion diced
• ¼ cup Harissa
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
• ¼ cup pitted black olive halved
• Optional: chiffonade basil plain Greek yogurt, toasted pine nuts

Instructions

• Fill a pot with water and place over high heat. Bring to a boil, add 1 teaspoon salt and spaghetti and cook to al dente according to instructions on package. Reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain spaghetti.
• In a large skillet or high-sided saute pan over medium-high heat, add oil. Add onion and remaining ½ teaspoon salt and cook, 3 to 5 minutes till onion is golden brown.
• Add harissa, tomatoes, and olives and cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Tomatoes should start to break down.
• Add ¾ to 1 cup pasta water to the pan, ¼ cup at a time. Mix well and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Remove lid, stir, and cook another 5 minutes until sauce reaches desired consistency.
• Add spaghetti to the pan and toss with harissa sauce.
• Serve with optional toppings of chiffonade basil, plain Greek yogurt, toasted pine nuts.

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