Description
A flavorful and spicy Harissa Pasta with succulent prawns, tossed in a rich harissa tomato sauce and finished with crumbled feta and fresh parsley. Ready in just 30 minutes, this vibrant dish combines North African-inspired heat with Mediterranean freshness for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 3 tbsp harissa paste
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 14 oz can of chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (optional)
- ¾ cup chicken or vegetable stock
- ½ lemon, juice and zest
Pasta & Protein
- 14 oz dried spaghetti, linguine, or tagliatelle
- 150 g shrimp/prawns, peeled and deveined
Finishing Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
- A handful of chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Fry the onion: Place a large frying pan over medium heat, add olive oil, and fry the finely chopped onion until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic: Stir in the crushed garlic cloves and cook for one minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Incorporate harissa and broth: Add the harissa paste to the pan, then pour in the chicken broth if using. Let the mixture simmer gently for a few minutes to meld the flavors.
- Add tomatoes and simmer: Pour in the chopped tomatoes, add balsamic vinegar if desired, then pour on the remaining stock. Allow the sauce to simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reduces slightly and thickens.
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil and cook your choice of pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or tagliatelle) until al dente, following package instructions.
- Cook the prawns: Add the peeled and deveined prawns to the simmering sauce and cook for a few minutes until they turn opaque and are cooked through.
- Drain pasta: Drain the pasta, reserving a few tablespoons of the starchy pasta water.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in the lemon zest and juice into the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Toss with feta: Remove the sauce pan from heat, fold in the crumbled feta cheese, then toss the cooked pasta in the sauce until well combined.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency—it helps the sauce stick better to the pasta.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute shrimp with chickpeas or additional vegetables and use vegetable stock.
- Adjust harissa quantity to control the spiciness of the dish.
- Feta adds creaminess and tang; substitute with a vegan cheese for a vegan adaptation.
- You can use either chicken or vegetable broth depending on dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean/North African fusion
