Easy, Creamy & Spicy Harissa Pasta

This Easy Creamy & Spicy Harissa Pasta with onions, rose harissa and cream is delicious, spicy and ready to eat in 20 minutes making it a great weeknight meal/recipe. If you are a fan of all things Pasta, why not try Gigi Hadid Pasta without Vodka, Butter Chicken Pasta or Rigatoni Al Forno with Béchamel Sauce.

 

Easy, Creamy & Spicy Harissa Pasta

In this recipe the Pasta is smothered in the most delicious, lusciously creamy sauce that is lightly spiced and packed full of flavour from the Rose Harissa. It is then topped with Cheese making for the most indulgent and divine bowl of Pasta ever.

Ingredients and Substitutions

For the most part, this recipe uses simple ingredients that are easy to find. Here is what you will need. I have suggested alternatives where possible:

Pasta

Use whatever Pasta shape you like in this recipe. I like to use Rigatoni but Fusilli, Penne, Spaghetti and any medium sized Pasta shape will work well.

Olive Oil

A good quality robust Olive Oil is best here.

The difference between extra virgin olive oil and olive oil is that olive oil is heated to extract the oil and is refined while extra virgin olive oil is cold-pressed and left unrefined.

Extra virgin olive oil is usually stronger in flavor and darker in colour than regular olive oil.

It is usually used for dressings and dips rather then for cooking as it has a very low smoke point.

You can also use any other oil such as Sunflower Oil, Avocado Oil, Rapeseed Oil.

Onion

White, Yellow Onion or Red Onion can be used in this recipe.

Garlic

You can use sliced, minced or crushed fresh Garlic or Garlic Granules/Powder.

Harissa paste

The best options are Smoked Harissa or Rose Harissa but you can use any store brought Harissa.

The amount of Harissa Paste used here is 2 ½ tbsp. You can add more or less accordion to your preference.

Pureed Plum Tomatoes

Or pureed Plum/Cherry Tomatoes. You can also add Tomato Paste whisked into water/stock instead.

You may need to add an additional pinch of sugar to the dish towards the end if the tomatoes are a little sour.

Double Cream

You can use Single Cream instead.

Chicken Stock

Or Vegetable Stock.

Red Chilli Flakes

Or Red Pepper Flakes, Red Chilli Powder or Cayenne Pepper.

Salt, Pepper and Sugar

To add and balance flavour.

Cheese

Use your favourite cheese. I use Cheddar, Mozzarella or Red Leicester. You can also use Parmesan Cheese, Grana Padana, Spiced Cheddar - whatever you like really.

What is Harissa Paste?

Harissa paste is a North African paste made up of sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, chilli paste, spices, herbs, olive oil and garlic.

Harissa comes from the Arabic root 'harasa' (هرس) which means - ‘to pound, to break into pieces', referring to pounding chilis.

It is used throughout Africa and the Middle East in a variety if recipes including Soups and Stews and on Vegetables and Meat.

How to make Harissa Pasta

For detailed instructions, please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page:

Add Olive Oil to a pan/pot over medium high heat.

Once hot add Garlic and Onions and cook till golden brown - about 5 minutes. 

In the meantime, boil the pasta in a large pot of boiling water with a teaspoon of salt,  according to the package instructions until al dente and reserve a ladleful of the pasta water.

Stir the harissa paste and tomato into the onions.

Mix the Stock with the reserved pasta water and add to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes over medium low heat. 

Add a pinch of sugar, chilli flakes and salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil, then cook for 2 - 3 minutes over low heat

Stir in the cooked, drained Pasta, pour in the double cream and mix through.

Add the Cheese and cook over medium heat for a minute. Serve in shallow bowls and enjoy!

Type of pasta 

You can use any medium Pasta shape or Spaghetti. Here are some great options:

Orecchiette

Orzo

Conchiglie

Whole wheat Pasta

Chickpea Pasta

Spaghetti or Linguine

Farfalle

Fusilli  

All of the above work well and they hold more of that creamy sauce because of their shape. 

Ravioli or Tortellini also work well with creamy sauces.

Top Tips and FAQs 

Boil the Pasta less then the pack suggests

I like to boil the pasta for 2 minutes less as it will continue to cook in the sauce.

Grate Cheese 

Pre grated Cheeses usually have a coating on them which stops them from clumping together in the bag but it also stops them from melting as effectively. 

Use Pasta Water 

Pasta Water helps the sauce to emulsify which makes it cling to the pasta better.

I only use a ladleful of reserved pasta water and not a cup of pasta cooking water in this recipe.

Cheese 

Use your favourite hard Cheese here.

What can I use if I don’t have Harissa?

You can use any Spicy Pepper Paste, Tomato paste, Gochuchang, Chipotle Paste, Sambal Olek, Sun-dried tomato paste or Roast Red Pepper Paste.

The difference between normal Harissa and Rose Harissa

Rose Harissa container Rose Petals.

It does not taste like Rose essence or extract and isn’t in any way overpowering. It has a subtle aroma and is so delicious!

What to do with leftover Harissa Paste?

Harissa Paste can be added to a number of recipes in place of tomato puree. You can also add it to Shakshuka, Menemen with Feta - Turkish Scrambled Eggs or Gigli pasta with Chickpeas.

Is Rose Harissa Paste Gluten Free?

Yes Rose Harissa is gluten free.

Serving Suggestions

This divine spicy and creamy harissa pasta is  a complete meal in itself but can be served with sides. 

It makes for an ideal weeknight dinner, or a quick sunday night meal. 

Why not try it with crusty bread, garlic bread a green salad or a salad with Kalamata olives scattered throughout.

Variations

Onions - You can use diced Shallots, White or Red Onions.

Nuts - Add a couple of tablespoon of toasted nuts like Pine Nuts.

Cumin Seeds - Add a pinch of Cumin Seeds at the beginning and saute with the onions to add another layer of flavour.

Harissa Paste - You can use Rose Harissa, Smoked Harissa or a standard Harissa. You can also use any hot chili paste, sundried tomato paste, You can also use a Harissa Powder instead. If you do that, reduce the quantity by ½.

Pasta Shapes – You can use any shape Pasta that you like – See options above. 

Make Harissa Pasta Bake – Layer the Pasta and Cheese into a dish and bake with more cheese added on top. 

Add Protein – Stir in your favourite cooked protein at the end, such as Chicken, Ground Beef or Lamb, Prawns.

Veggies – Add Red Bell Peppers, Aubergines, Courgettes, Mushrooms, Sweetcorn, Broccoli or Leafy Greens such as Spinach, Chard or Kale.

Fresh Herbs - Serve with some fresh Basil or Thyme.

Seeds and Nuts – Feel free to stir in toasted seeds/nuts.

Seasonings – Add spices or seasonings of your choice.

Sauces – Stir in some Hot Sauce or Chilli Oil at the end.

Lemon –  Add Lemon Juice or the zest of a Lemon.

Make it Gluten Free - Use Gluten free pasta such as Pea Pasta or Chickpea Pasta.

Make it Vegan - To make Vegan Harissa Pasta, use a Vegan Cream or Cashew Cream by soaking and blending cashews.

Cream - Use 2 tablespoon creme fraiche instead to give it a slightly sour tang. You can also use creamy Mascarpone instead or a spoonful of Greek Yoghurt. If using Yoghurt or Creme Fraiche, stir them in at the very end.

Oil - You can reduce the quantity of oil if you prefer.

Easy, Creamy & Spicy Harissa Pasta - Make Ahead

It is a good idea to make Harissa pasta ahead as it stores well. It can be made up to 5 days ahead and enjoyed throughout the week.

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Pasta keeps well in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for 5 days.

To reheat, add a splash of water before reheating on the hob or in the microwave.

How to freeze 

Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. 

Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat gently in the microwave or stove top.

more recipes you may enjoy:

Korean Garlic Bread

Lemon and Herb Chicken Salad

Tiktok Pasta

Masala Pasta with Chicken and Cheese

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