Harissa Chickpea Pasta Dish (Printer-friendly)

Spicy chickpeas simmered in harissa-tomato sauce, mixed with pasta and fresh herbs.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

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

→ Chickpeas & Sauce

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons harissa paste (adjust to taste)
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes
10 - 28 ounces 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 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
15 - Optional: crumbled feta cheese, to serve

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in minced garlic, harissa paste, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add diced tomatoes, drained chickpeas, and vegetable broth. Season with salt and pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
05 - Cover skillet 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 as needed to loosen sauce.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped herbs. Adjust seasoning to taste.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with additional herbs and optional crumbled feta cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than takeout and tastes infinitely better than anything delivery could bring.
  • The harissa gives you that Mediterranean warmth without requiring obscure ingredients or complicated technique.
  • Chickpeas make it protein-rich enough to feel like a complete meal without any fuss or meat.
02 -
  • Don't skip the pasta water—that starchy liquid is what lets you adjust the sauce texture and makes everything come together instead of sitting separately in the bowl.
  • The lemon really matters and it's the last thing that goes in; it transforms the whole dish from good to memorable in seconds.
03 -
  • If you like more heat, add extra harissa or a pinch of chili flakes, but remember you can always add more and never take it back.
  • White beans work beautifully here if you don't have chickpeas, and roasted vegetables stirred in at the end make it even more special without any real extra work.
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