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Cream/ Date Night Dinners/ Pasta/ Pork/ Spice

Sausage Harissa Pasta

July 3, 2023 (Last Updated: July 4, 2023) by Chris Collins

This sausage harissa pasta is creamy, indulgent, spicy and packed with flavour!

When I tell you this recipe is pure comfort food through and through, I truly mean it. Grab your eating pants because things are about to get real tasty real quick! Follow me…

close up shot of harissa sausage pasta in pan garnished with parmesan and parsley

Harissa Sausage Pasta

I was actually kind of late to the harissa train, but now I’m fully on board and I can’t get enough of the stuff! Mainly because I love anything with a kick of spice, but harissa paste has such a unique and delicious flavour.

What is Harissa Paste?

It has a base of roasted red peppers & Baklouti peppers and is packed with various different spices. It’s essentially a hot chilli paste!

Sausage Pasta

I originally tested this recipe without meat, and just as a creamy spicy pasta kind of dish. Something was missing though, and whilst chicken would have worked, I found that adding sausage just took things through the roof. It takes on the gorgeously rich and spicy flavours of the dish so well.

Process shots: fry onion and garlic (photo 1), fry sausage (photo 2), fry harissa paste and tomato puree (photo 3), add stock and cream (photo 4), stir in parmesan, parsley and sun dried tomatoes (photo 5), toss in pasta (photo 6).

6 step by step photos showing how to make sausage harissa pasta

Sausage Harissa Pasta FAQ

Where can I find Harissa Paste?

You’ll find it in small jars in most supermarkets, often near the seasoning section. I like rose harissa, but you can use regular if you’d prefer. Belazu is a pretty solid brand if you’re looking for recommendations.

What kind of sausage should I use?

If you’re in the UK I recommend grabbing a pack of plain sausage meat. Failing that, just squeeze the meat from some pork sausages. US – if you can get plain sausage meat use that, if not I imagine mild Italian sausage could work!

How spicy is this pasta?

It’s got a kick, but certainly nothing over the top. I’ve tried a range of different harissa paste brands and whilst they do vary in spice, I’ve never found any overbearing.

What sort of pasta should I use?

Here I use Bucatini. I love the thick texture and find it works really well in this dish. In reality though any long-cut pasta will do the trick.

close up shot of fork twirling into pan of sausage harissa pasta

Serving Sausage Harissa Pasta

I like to finish with an extra pinch of parmesan and parsley, but that’s completely optional. This is a pretty hearty dish that will comfortably feed 2 without sides!

Alright, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this sausage harissa pasta shall we?!

close up shot of harissa pasta with sausage in large white bowl

How to make a Harissa Sausage Pasta (Full Recipe & Video)

close up shot of fork twirling into pan of sausage harissa pasta

Sausage Harissa Pasta

This sausage harissa pasta is creamy, indulgent, spicy and packed with flavour!
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Servings (click & slide): 2
Course: Dinner / Main Course
Cuisine: Italian / North African
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Calories per serving: 1252kcal
Cost per serving: £4 / $5

Equipment:

  • Large Pan & Wooden Spoon
  • Large Pot & Tongs
  • Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
  • Jug (for stock)
  • Fine Cheese Grater

Ingredients (check list):

  • 1 small White Onion, finely diced
  • 2 - 3 cloves of Garlic, finely diced
  • 250g / 9oz Sausage Meat (see notes)
  • 200g / 7oz Long-Cut Pasta (here I use Bucatini)
  • 2 tbsp Harissa Paste (see notes)
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Puree (Tomato Paste in US)
  • 120ml / 1/2 cup Chicken Stock
  • 160ml / 2/3 cup Double/Heavy Cream, at room temp
  • 20g / 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more to serve if desired
  • 2 tbsp finely diced Fresh Parsley, plus more to serve if desired
  • 60g / 2oz Sun Dried Tomatoes, finely diced
  • Olive Oil, as needed
  • Salt & Pepper, as needed

Instructions:

  • Add a drizzle of oil to a large pan over medium heat, then add in the onion. Fry until it begins to soften, then add in the garlic and fry for 30 seconds or so longer. Add in the sausage and fry until golden brown, using your wooden spoon to crumble it as you go.
  • Meanwhile, add the pasta to salted boiling water and cook until al dente. Don't drain.
  • Stir the tomato puree and harissa paste into the sausage and fry for a minute or so. Pour in the chicken stock and cream, then stir in the parmesan, sun dried tomatoes and parsley. Simmer and stir for a few mins until the sauce thickens. Check for seasoning then turn the heat to low.
  • Use tongs to transfer the pasta straight from the pot into the pan. Toss until the sauce thickens around and clings to the pasta. If the sauce dries out just toss in more starchy pasta water a splash at a time.
  • Serve with more parsley and parmesan (optional) then tuck in and enjoy!

Quick 1 min demo!

Notes:

a) Harissa Paste - You'll find this in small jars in most supermarkets, often near the seasoning section. I've tried a range of different brands and they vary in spice, but I've never found any overbearing. I like rose harissa, but you can use regular if you'd prefer. Belazu is a pretty solid brand if you're looking for recommendations.
b) Sausage - If you're in the UK I recommend grabbing a pack of plain sausage meat. Failing that, just squeeze the meat from some pork sausages. US - if you can get plain sausage meat use that, if not I imagine mild Italian sausage could work!
c) Calories - Whole recipe divided by 2 assuming 1/2 tbsp olive oil and no extra parmesan.

Your Private Notes:

Nutrition:

Nutrition Facts
Sausage Harissa Pasta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1252 Calories from Fat 701
% Daily Value*
Fat 77.84g120%
Saturated Fat 34.827g174%
Trans Fat 0.089g
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.939g
Monounsaturated Fat 30.308g
Cholesterol 212mg71%
Sodium 1217mg51%
Potassium 2016mg58%
Carbohydrates 109.59g37%
Fiber 16.3g65%
Sugar 17.73g20%
Protein 35.59g71%
Vitamin A 2021IU40%
Vitamin C 23.9mg29%
Calcium 221mg22%
Iron 6.13mg34%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.
Tried this recipe?Show me how you got on by tagging @dontgobaconmyheart_ on IG and #dontgobaconmyheart
Looking for more?You'll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook 'Comfy'

For more spicy pasta recipes check out my Spicy Chicken Pasta and Spicy Rigatoni!

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