Harissa Chickpea Pasta (Printable version)

Hearty pasta tossed in a spicy harissa tomato sauce with chickpeas and fresh herbs.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
02 - Salt, for pasta water

→ Chickpeas & Sauce

03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 2 tbsp harissa paste
07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
10 - 28 oz canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
11 - 1/2 cup vegetable broth or water
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ To Finish

13 - Zest and juice of 1 lemon
14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
15 - Optional: crumbled feta cheese, to serve

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in garlic, harissa paste, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add diced tomatoes, chickpeas, and vegetable broth. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
05 - Cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and flavors meld.
06 - Add cooked pasta to skillet and toss to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water if sauce requires loosening.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped herbs. Adjust seasoning to taste.
08 - Plate the pasta and garnish with extra herbs and optional crumbled feta cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce clings to every piece of pasta like its known it for years
  • It tastes like you spent hours simmering but comes together in under 40 minutes
02 -
  • Harissa brands vary wildly in heat intensity always taste before adding the full amount
  • The sauce will continue thickening off the heat so dont reduce it too far on the stove
03 -
  • Grate the lemon zest before juicing so you dont accidentally squeeze the peel into your sauce
  • If your sauce tastes too acidic add a pinch of sugar to balance without making it sweet
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