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Pasta with harissa sauce in a shallow bowl with a fork.

Tomato and Harissa Pasta with Kale

  • Author: Jessie
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4-6 1x
  • Category: Pasta
  • Cuisine: Italian and North African Inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This easy, creamy pasta uses an easy tomato and harissa pasta sauce and plenty of fresh kale.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (we used rigatoni)
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 shallot, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup harissa
  • 6 ounces tomato paste (1 small can)
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 3 heaping cups kale, stems removed and roughly chopped
  • ½ cup pasta water (see recipe below)
  • kosher salt and pepper to taste

Instructions


Notes

Substitutions. Swap the kale for fresh spinach. Use gochujang or diced calabrian chili peppers in place of harissa if you can't find any (both are similar in that they're spicy condiments with a pepper base, but the spice level and flavor will be a bit different). Swap the heavy cream for a few scoops of cauliflower purée if you'd like a lighter, dairy-free sauce. Use a regular onion instead of the shallot.

Additions. Add protein (chicken, ground beef, Italian sausage, or shrimp are good here) or extra veggies (peas, broccoli, cauliflower). Top this pasta with fresh basil, parsley, or parmesan cheese if you like. Add a splash of chicken stock or parmesan broth for a thinner, more complex sauce.

What kind of harissa should I use? We tested this recipe with Mina Harissa's Spicy Harissa and Mild Harissa. Both were excellent! For more notes on harissa varieties, be sure to read the full article above.

Adjust the harissa as needed. Harissa can vary wildly in spice level, texture, and complexity between brands and recipes. Adjust the amount of harissa here to suit your palate! 

Keywords: pasta, comfort food, spicy