Baked pasta with merguez and harissa is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and flavorful meal. This hearty and comforting dish combines the smoky flavor of merguez sausage, the spicy kick of harissa, and the creamy texture of cheese, all enveloped in a bed of tender pasta. Whether you're looking for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing party dish, this baked pasta recipe is sure to hit the spot.
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BAKED PASTA WITH MERGUEZ AND HARISSA-SPIKED SAUCE
We stole your nonna's ziti and took it on a self-discovery tour of Middle Eastern flavors. Sorry-it doesn't want to come home.
Provided by Chris Morocco
Categories Pasta Tomato Bake Kid-Friendly Quick & Easy Feta Sausage Bon Appétit Small Plates
Yield 4 Servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Grind caraway and cumin in a spice mill or a mortar and pestle; set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Cook sausage until browned all over but still pink in the center, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly. Slice into 1" pieces.
- Add onion to same skillet and cook, stirring often, until soft, 6-8 minutes. Add garlic and reserved spices. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, crushing, and juices, then harissa. Cook until sauce thickens slightly, 6-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until very al dente (about 3 minutes less than package directions; it will be firm in the center). Drain, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid.
- Add sausage, pasta, and cooking liquid to skillet; toss to coat. Transfer to a 3-quart baking dish, top with feta, and bake until top is browned and juices are bubbling, 18-22 minutes.
HOMEMADE MERGUEZ
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, main course
Time 15m
Yield About 1 pound of sausages
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a small skillet over medium-low heat, toast cumin, coriander and fennel seeds until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer warm spices to a spice grinder and grind well, or use a mortar and pestle and pound seeds.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Form lamb mixture into desired shape (1-inch-thick by 5-inch-long cigars make nice merguez, but fatter cylinders or patties will also work). Chill for up to 5 days, freeze for up to 3 months, or use immediately.
- Brush sausages with oil and grill or broil them until browned and cooked through. Or fry them in a little oil until well browned all over. Serve with more cilantro and harissa on the side, if desired.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 228, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 19 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 13 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 185 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams
ONE-PAN PASTA WITH HARISSA BOLOGNESE
This Bolognese is made from start to finish in one roasting pan - including the pasta, which cooks directly in the sauce. It may seem counterintuitive to chop apart dried manicotti or cannelloni, but there is a method to the madness: It's nearly impossible to break the dried pasta in half exactly, so you end up with some shards, which become lovely and crisp, and some tubes, which hold the sauce very nicely. The kick and thick consistency of the Tunisian harissa brand Le Phare du Cap Bon is especially nice, but any kind will work - just note that the spice level and texture of the final dish will reflect the harissa you choose. Sprinkle this dish with additional cheese before serving, if you'd like.
Provided by Yotam Ottolenghi
Categories dinner, casseroles, pastas, main course
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Heat oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit/245 degrees Celsius. Add the first 7 ingredients to a large roasting pan (roasting tin) about 15 by 10 inches/38 by 23 centimeters in size, along with 3 tablespoons oil, 2/3rds Parmesan and Pecorino Romano, 1 3/4 teaspoons salt and plenty of pepper.
- Add the carrot, onion, tomatoes and garlic to a food processor and blitz until finely chopped. Add to the roasting pan and mix to combine. Transfer to the oven and bake until browned on top and sizzling, about 25 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit/190 degrees Celsius.
- Use a fork to break the meat apart thoroughly, stirring it into the liquid that has been produced. Pour the chicken stock and cream on top, then add the pasta. Stir the pasta into the sauce until thoroughly coated; you want to get all of the pasta wet so it doesn't burn. Push as much of the pasta under the surface of the sauce as possible (you won't be able to submerge it all).
- Bake until pasta is tender, about 25 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking.
- Remove from the oven, stir in the 1/4 cup parsley, sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan and Pecorino Romano and drizzle with the remaining oil. Bake until the top is crisp in parts and beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle over some additional parsley and let cool for 10 minutes, so the excess liquid soaks in, before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1043, UnsaturatedFat 37 grams, Carbohydrate 45 grams, Fat 71 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 56 grams, SaturatedFat 28 grams, Sodium 1183 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams, TransFat 1 gram
Tips:
- When roasting the tomatoes, place them cut side up to caramelize and concentrate their flavor.
- For the best flavor, use high-quality merguez sausages. If you can't find merguez, you can substitute another spicy sausage, such as chorizo or kielbasa.
- To make the harissa paste, roast the peppers until they are slightly charred. This will give the paste a smoky flavor.
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta. It should be al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
- Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
Conclusion:
This baked pasta with merguez and harissa is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The combination of spicy merguez sausage, roasted tomatoes, and creamy harissa sauce is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a new pasta recipe, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed!
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