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+ servings
Harissa pasta in a bowl

Easy Creamy & Spicy Harissa Pasta

Safira
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.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Lunch
Cuisine African, Italian, Middle Eastern, North African
Servings 4
Calories 889 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g Pasta
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 6 cloves Garlic Sliced
  • ½ Onion Diced
  • 3 tbsp Rose harissa or Plain Harissa
  • 150 g Plum Tomatoes From a tin, Pureed
  • 60 ml Chicken Stock Make with reserved Pasta Water
  • 240 g Double Cream or Mascarpone
  • Pinch Sugar
  • 1 tsp Red Chilli Flakes
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 60 g Cheddar or Mozarella, Grated

Instructions
 

  • 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!

Notes

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 tbsp 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 1/2.
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 tbsp 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.

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 889kcalCarbohydrates: 99gProtein: 22gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 130mgPotassium: 481mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1411IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 164mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Harissa Pasta
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