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4.7 from 21 votes

Creamy Harissa Pasta

This harissa pasta is creamy, spicy, smoky and so delicious. We serve this vegan pasta dish with some crushed pistachios and finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 538 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Ingredients

  • ¾ cups cashews
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 14 oz spaghetti pasta
  • 1 onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 ½ tablespoon harissa paste
  • Lemon juice from ½ lemon
  • 1 cup vegetable stock or water
  • A handful pistachios
  • 3-4 sun-dried tomatoes preserved in oil
  • A handful fresh oregano

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 400F (200C)
  2. Place the cashews in a small bowl and add some boiling water. Leave soaking for about 20 minutes. Drain, rinse and set aside.
  3. While the cashews are soaking, wash the red pepper, place it on a small casserole or baking dish, make some small holes with a knife or fork, and bake for about 30 minutes or until the skin is charred.
  4. Leave to cool and remove the skin and seeds.
  5. While the red pepper is roasting and the cashews are soaking, you can cook the pasta following the package instructions. Use salted water to cook the pasta al-dente and before draining the pasta, save some pasta water for later.
  6. Drain the pasta, add some olive oil so it doesn't stick easily, and reserve.
  7. Heat some olive oil in a small pan over medium heat, and add the onion finely chopped.
  8. Stir and cook until it softens. Then add the garlic, finely sliced, cook for another 3-4 minutes, and turn the heat off.
  9. Add to a blender jug the soaked cashews, the roasted red pepper, sautéed garlic and onion, harissa paste, lemon juice, and vegetable stock or water.
  10. Blend until the cashews are perfectly blended and you have a smooth sauce.
  11. Combine in a pan the pasta and sauce, and add crushed pistachios, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh oregano or parsley.
  12. Mix well, add some reserved pasta water if needed, and serve.

Notes

  • We like using some of the pasta water if we need to reheat the dish after a few hours of making it to get that creamy sauce again.
  • We like using some of the pasta water if we need to reheat the dish after a few hours of making it to get that creamy sauce again.
  • To make this dish milder, use half of the Harissa paste listed. If you want the dish to be spicier, add more Harissa paste.
  • Serve with some crusty bread, a fresh salad, or some roasted veggies.

Nutrition Information

Calories 538kcal (27%) Carbohydrates 90g (30%) Protein 19g (38%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Sodium 141mg (6%) Potassium 578mg (17%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 1009IU (20%) Vitamin C 43mg (48%) Calcium 46mg (5%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 538

% Daily Value*

Calories 538kcal 27%
Carbohydrates 90g 30%
Protein 19g 38%
Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Sodium 141mg 6%
Potassium 578mg 12%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 1009IU 20%
Vitamin C 43mg 48%
Calcium 46mg 5%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.