This creamy harissa pasta recipe is quick and easy to make with four simple ingredients. It takes less than 30 minutes and is full of flavor. Perfect for a weeknight meal!
Spice up your pasta night with this harissa pasta! It's naturally vegan, vegetarian, dairy free, and allergy friendly. Make it gluten free by using gluten free pasta.
What is the flavor of harissa?
Harissa is a North African red chili paste made of chiles, garlic, olive oil, citrus, and warm spices. It tastes slightly sweet, smoky, with a little kick. A couple tablespoons isn't too spicy, but use less if you're sensitive to heat.
Ingredients
- Pasta: Any shape or size works with this recipe!
- Oil: Olive oil or avocado oil works great here.
- Harissa paste: Add more or less spice depending on your personal preference! See spicy scale below.
- Coconut milk: Canned coconut milk is ultra creamy, thick, and flavorful.
Choose your spice level
This meal is spicier than your average pasta dish, but it's not over the top spicy! Use this spice scale to determine how much harissa paste to use.
- Mild: Reduce the amount of harissa paste to about 2 tablespoons.
- Medium: Stick with the recommended 4 tablespoons.
- Hot: Kick up the heat with 5+ tablespoons.
How to make harissa pasta
In a stockpot, cook pasta according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain, reserving at least a ½ cup of pasta water.
As the water comes to a boil, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Stir in harissa paste, coconut milk, salt, and garlic powder. Bring to a simmer then lower heat, stirring occasionally.
Once the pasta is cooked, add to the skillet with the harissa sauce, and stir to fully coat. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cooks. If it gets too thick for your liking, add a splash of pasta water or extra dairy free milk to loosen the sauce.
What to serve with harissa pasta
This recipe makes a great main dish! Serve with a side of grilled vegetables or protein of choice.
Amp it up with cherry tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, chopped onion, chickpeas (pictured), a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or fresh basil.
How to store leftovers
Store leftover spicy harissa pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. To reheat, warm in the microwave until heated through.
Related recipes
Try these pasta recipes next:
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- Make a dairy-free version of Ina Garten's lemon capellini with just 4 ingredients in 15 minutes.
- My vegan mac and cheese without cashews recipe is quick and easy to make. This hidden veggie mac and cheese is ready in 30 minute
- This creamy, rich, and hearty vegan mushroom stroganoff is the perfect cozy winter meal! Easy and ready in just 30 minutes.
- Vegan rasta pasta combines bell peppers and green onions in a creamy coconut sauce infused with spicy jerk seasoning for a flavorful meatless meal.
- This vegan roasted red pepper pasta comes together with red bell peppers, chickpeas, red onion, garlic, and dairy free milk. It's easy to make, ultra creamy, and great for a quick dinner or meal prep.
- This vegan puttanesca recipe is a flavorful Italian pasta dish with a homemade, savory sauce containing tomatoes, olives, capers, and garlic. It's ready in under 30 minutes, for a comforting meal with big flavor!
- Homemade dairy-free fettuccine alfredo is perfect for pasta night! It's vegan, plant-based, oil-free, non-dairy, egg-free, and gluten-free.
Harissa Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pasta
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ cup harissa paste
- 1 can (13.5-ounces) coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, cook pasta according to package directions. Once cooked, drain, reserving at least a ½ cup of pasta water.
- As the pasta cooks, warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in 2-4 tablespoons harissa paste, coconut milk, salt, and garlic powder. Bring to a simmer then reduce heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once the pasta is cooked, add to the skillet, and gently stir until well-combined and fully coated with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Serve warm and enjoy immediately! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. To reheat, warm in the microwave until heated through.
Nutrition
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