Harissa Chickpea Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This Harissa Chickpea Pasta is a flavorful and hearty dish that combines spicy North African harissa with tender chickpeas and pasta. It’s a perfect weeknight meal that’s both comforting and packed with bold, vibrant flavors.

Ingredients

• 12 oz dried short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
• Salt, for boiling water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp harissa paste (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 14 oz can diced tomatoes
• 2 (14 oz) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• ½ cup vegetable broth or water
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
• Optional: crumbled feta cheese, to serve

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until soft and translucent.
3. Step 3: Add the minced garlic, harissa paste, ground cumin, and smoked paprika to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in the diced tomatoes, chickpeas, and vegetable broth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
5. Step 5: Cover the skillet and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together.
6. Step 6: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, loosen it with some of the reserved pasta water.
7. Step 7: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped fresh parsley or cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
8. Step 8: Serve the pasta warm, garnished with additional herbs and, if desired, crumbled feta cheese.

Tips & Variations

• Adjust the amount of harissa paste to suit your heat preference, starting with less if you’re sensitive to spice.
• For added protein, stir in cooked chicken or sausage before serving.
• Swap fresh herbs for basil or mint if preferred for a different flavor profile.
• If you don’t have vegetable broth, use water with a pinch of vegetable bouillon or extra seasoning.
• Leftover sauce can be transformed into a tasty shakshuka base by adding eggs and poaching them in the sauce.

Storage

Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed. This dish does not freeze well due to the lemon and fresh herbs, which lose their brightness after thawing.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any short pasta shape like penne, rigatoni, fusilli, or even farfalle works well with this recipe and will hold the sauce nicely.

Is harissa paste very spicy?

Harissa can range from mild to quite spicy depending on the brand and variety. It’s best to start with less and add more to taste, especially if you’re sensitive to heat.

Harissa Chickpea Pasta Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 76 reviews

A vibrant and flavorful Harissa Chickpea Pasta dish combining al dente pasta with a spicy harissa tomato sauce, fragrant spices, and protein-rich chickpeas. Finished with fresh lemon zest and herbs, this easy-to-make skillet meal is perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 12 oz dried short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
• Salt, for boiling water

Sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp harissa paste (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• 14 oz can diced tomatoes
• 2 (14 oz) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• ½ cup vegetable broth or water
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

Optional

• Crumbled feta cheese, to serve

Instructions

1. Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dried pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. Sauté aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, until the onion is soft and translucent.
3. Incorporate spices and garlic: Add the minced garlic, harissa paste, ground cumin, and smoked paprika to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute while stirring constantly until the spices become fragrant.
4. Simmer sauce: Add the diced tomatoes, drained chickpeas, and vegetable broth to the skillet. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, stir everything to combine, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
5. Cook sauce: Cover the skillet and let the sauce cook over medium-low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the sauce to thicken and for the flavors to meld beautifully.
6. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce feels too thick, loosen it by adding some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
7. Finish with lemon and herbs: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped fresh parsley or cilantro. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
8. Serve: Serve the harissa chickpea pasta warm, garnished with extra fresh herbs and optional crumbled feta cheese if desired for an added creamy texture.

Notes

• Adjust the amount of harissa paste based on your preferred spice level.
• Reserve pasta water is helpful to adjust the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
• Feta cheese is optional but adds a complementary tangy richness to the dish.
• Use fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for brightness and freshness.
• This dish is great for meal prep and tastes even better the next day.

Keywords: harissa pasta, chickpea pasta, vegetarian pasta, spicy pasta, Mediterranean pasta, easy weeknight dinner, one-pan pasta