Prawn and harissa spaghetti is a bold, vibrant dish that brings heat, richness, and freshness together in a single bowl. With tender prawns, spicy harissa, and perfectly cooked spaghetti, this recipe takes a simple pasta dinner to a whole new level. It’s fast enough for a weeknight yet exciting enough to serve for a special occasion when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
What sets this dish apart is the harissa paste – a North African chili blend made with roasted peppers, garlic, and spices. It delivers a smoky heat that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the prawns. Just a spoonful adds depth and fire, giving the sauce a complex flavor that lingers in the best way.
The base of the dish starts with olive oil, garlic, and maybe a pinch of red pepper flakes if you’re a fan of extra spice. Once the garlic is fragrant, the harissa paste is stirred in, followed by a splash of pasta water or white wine to loosen the sauce and bring everything together. The prawns go in next, cooking quickly until they turn pink and tender, soaking up all the spicy, garlicky flavor.
Cooked spaghetti is tossed straight into the pan, where it’s coated in the fiery sauce and mixed with the prawns. A handful of fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro adds brightness, while a squeeze of lemon over the top lifts the whole dish and balances the heat.
You can easily customize the dish by adding cherry tomatoes, wilted greens, or crumbled feta for a creamy contrast. It’s a flexible recipe that invites creativity while still delivering a big payoff in flavor.
Prawn and harissa spaghetti is a pasta dish with personality – bold, spicy, and totally addictive. It’s a refreshing departure from the usual marinara or Alfredo and a delicious way to bring global flavor to your dinner table. Serve it with a glass of chilled white wine and crusty bread for a meal that feels both relaxed and refined.
Ingredients
- 100 g spaghetti dried
- 150 g prawns peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp harissa paste adjust to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 0.5 tsp salt or to taste
- 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1 tbsp lemon juice fresh
- 2 tbsp parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the prawns to the pan and cook until they start to turn pink, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the harissa paste and cook for another minute, ensuring the prawns are well coated.
- Add the cooked spaghetti, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Toss everything together and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley.
Meh, didn’t impress me. I thought spaghetti was supposed to be with tomato sauce or something. Harissa just kinda weird.
I don’t really know about using harissa. Isn’t it a bit strong for pasta? My kids wouldn’t eat it…
I get what you’re saying! Harissa can be strong, but you can always use less. Just adjust it for your kids’ taste! They might surprise you!
Harissa? That stuff is spicey! I would not feed that to my kids, they prefer plain spaghetti! Sounds fun tho!
This was super easy to make! The flavor was amazing, and my family loved it. Will definitely make again!
So glad you enjoyed it! I love how quick it is to make a meal that’s also impressive. Definitely a keeper!
Really good dish! I added some extra garlic and it made it even better. The prawns were cooked perfectly.
Sounds delicious! I love garlic too! Gonna try it with more garlic next time.
Yum!
I think 2 minutes with spaghetti might be too long depending on how saucy your pan is. Mine dried out a bit. Add oil/pasta water maybe.
This recipe was amazing! The harissa gave it such a great kick. Will definitely make again!
So glad you loved it! Harissa really does add a special flavor, doesn’t it? 🤤
I made this exactly as written and it’s seriously spicy in the best way. The lemon at the end really balances the harissa. Would make again for sure.
This was a total hit! My family loved it. ❤️
The garlic step is key. I rushed it and the garlic got a little too brown, so my whole batch tasted bitter. Lesson learned.
Soo easy! Just a couple ingredients and you got a fancy meal! 💖
Tasty dish! The garlic and lemon combo was delish. I’m gonna try it with shrimp next time 😋
I love shrimp! Should be great with this! Let us know how it goes!
Hmm, shrimp? This was okey but not sure how it’ll be with shrimp. Garlic and lemon is nice tho.
Quick and easy – perfect for a weeknight meal! Not too much prep time. Thanks!
Not a fan. The harissa was way too spicy for me. I added more lemon to tone it down but still…
Pretty good but I thought 2 tbsp harissa was a lot. Next time I’ll start with 1 tbsp and adjust—my kitchen was on fire (emotionally and physically).
Totally get that—harissa can be *strong*. Starting with 1 tbsp and adjusting is the way to go. 😅 Glad you didn’t actually burn the kitchen down!
I was nervous about the amount of harissa, but “adjust to taste” saved me. Next time I’ll add a splash of pasta water for extra sauce-y vibes.
Yum! So flavorful! I added some bell peppers and it was delish! 🍝
Tried it, but my prawns didn’t turn pink. Are they supposed to? Not sure if I did something wrong.
My girlfriend loved it! I ain’t much of a cook, but followed the steps and it turned out great. Can I make it with chicken?
Spicy, garlicky, and surprisingly fast. The harissa really clings to the prawns—mine turned out great after I cooked them just until pink.
For me it needed more salt—0.5 tsp felt low with the harissa. I’ll definitely taste as I go next time.
What is harissa? Can you use something else? I’m not a fan of spicy food.
Harissa is like a spicy paste made from chili peppers and spices. If you don’t like spice, you can try using a mild tomato sauce or just some olive oil and garlic! It’ll still taste good.
I dunno, never heard of harissa… can’t you just skip it? Who needs spicy stuff anyway? Can you use ketchup or something instead?
My family loved it, but I think the garlic was too strong. Next time I’ll use less.
I think garlic is the best part! But I get it, it’s strong! Maybe try to roast it first? That makes it milder.
This was alright, but I think it could’ve used more flavor. Maybe some cheese or something.
I totally agree! It needed a kick, maybe some parmesan on top would help? 🧀
Honestly, the prawns were kinda rubbery. I’ll try it again but maybe adjust the cook time.
Super easy to make! My kids even liked it. Although I used shrimp instead of prawns.
That’s awesome! Kids can be picky eaters, but it sounds like you found a winner. 🥇 What kind of shrimp did you use?
I dunno, shrimp instead of prawns? Isn’t that basically the same? Seems like a small change but okay.
YUM! Super easy to make and perfect for a quick dinner!
Glad you enjoyed it! It’s one of my go-tos for busy nights.
Harissa paste is so strong—mine was almost too much. I adjusted to taste like it says, but I still felt like it took over everything. Not bad though.
Yum! I love prawns! I added some cherry tomatoes and it upped the flavor! This recipe is a keeper.
Spaghetti with prawns? Sounds weird but it actually works. Good recipe!
Boring. Too simple. Needs cheese or something or more sauce. Otherwise just spaghetti with spicy oil.
I get what you mean—it’s pretty straightforward. But the harissa + lemon combo does bring a lot of flavor if you use a good paste. I wouldn’t call it just “spaghetti with spicy oil.”
5 stars, all the way! The kids didn’t like it much but I thought it was great.
Sounds good, but my kids wouldn’t touch that harissa stuff. Is it too spicy?
I can totally relate! My kids are picky eaters too. But hey, more for us, right? 😂
This is one of those recipes that sounds fancy but is actually quick. Garlic fragrant, prawns pink, done. Loved it.
Pretty simple to make but I feel like something’s missing. It was just…okay.
I thought it was yum! Maybe try adding some cream next time? Just a thought!
I totally get you! It feels like a pinch of something like more spices or herbs could elevate it. Did you try adding some chili flakes?
Absolutely loved this recipe! The harissa gave it a nice kick. Will definitely make again!
Thanks for sharing! I can’t wait to try adding harissa to my spaghetti. Sounds delicious!
Loved it too, but my kids thought it was too spicy! Would recommend maybe using less harissa for family cooking.
Too much lemon for my taste. I think I’ll skip it next time.
I loved it! The lemon adds such a fresh zing. Maybe try less but don’t skip it completely!
This was absolutely delicious! The harissa gave it such a nice kick. Definitely making this again!
Nice quick weeknight meal. I used a bit less harissa (cause I’m a wimp) and added extra parsley—still tasted great. 10/10 for using pantry stuff.
Tastes like restaurant food. I used frozen shrimp and it worked fine—just make sure they don’t overcook or they’ll get rubbery.
Yes! That’s exactly it—harissa + lemon really makes it taste like it came from somewhere fancy. I also used frozen shrimp and kept an eye on the timing. Overcook = rubbery city 😅
I tried it but mine didn’t taste “restaurant.” I think I used too much harissa (maybe?). Also my garlic burned a little even though I only did 1 minute… still, it was good. Next time I’ll adjust and not let the shrimp go too long.
Loved the flavor combo, but my spaghetti ended up a bit dry. Could be my timing—next time I’ll toss longer or use more oil.
Turned out delicious! The harissa + lemon combo is perfect—nice kick but still bright. I used a little extra garlic too.
I didn’t really like it. The harissa was too spicy for my taste. Maybe less next time?
“Prawn” is weird lol. Also I used shrimp (obviously) and it was fine. Recipe is solid, will cook again.
Yeah “prawn” always sounds fancy 😂 Shrimp works totally—glad it turned out!
This recipe is delicious! The harissa really packs a punch.
Honestly, I don’t know. Isn’t harissa a bit too spicy for something like spaghetti? Just wondering.
I totally agree! Harissa adds such a unique flavor. This was a hit in my house! 🌟
I wasn’t sure about using harissa, but it turned out great. Not too spicy!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Harissa really adds depth without too much heat. 🤗
Lol, didn’t know what harissa was, but my buddy said it’s just spicy ketchup. Not bad!
It was ok, but I think 2 tbsp of harissa was way too much for me. Next time I’ll use less.
I tried it and… wow. I didn’t have parsley so I used cilantro and it worked. Also added a splash of pasta water and it made the sauce cling better.
I messed up! Thought it was rice instead of spaghetti. Added water, it was a disaster. 😂
Don’t worry, it happens! Just remember to look at the recipe next time. 😂
I found it a bit too spicy for my taste. Can I reduce the harissa?
Not gonna lie, I didn’t have harissa paste so I used chili garlic sauce. It was still good, but yeah… not the same vibe.
Not impressed. I usually make my own pasta. This felt too simple.
Spaghetti and prawns? Not sure about that mix. But my kids ate it, so that’s a win. 🙁
I substituted shrimp for prawns, and it still turned out good! Thanks for the recipe!
The lemon juice at the end is the key. I forgot it once and it tasted kinda flat. With lemon—wow.
100% agree—lemon at the end really wakes it up. I used bottled once and it was meh, like you said.
Harissa paste is strong stuff. I only used 1 tbsp and it was still spicy, so keep that in mind if you’re not into heat.
Totally agree—harissa is no joke. I used about that much and my mouth was on fire too. Maybe even 1 tsp first if you’re heat-sensitive.
I didn’t find it spicy at all 🤷♂️ Maybe my harissa brand is mild? Or I’m just immune? Either way, the lemon helps a lot. Didn’t cook the garlic just 1 min though—mine needed longer.
Prawns are so expensive around here! I used chicken instead, and it turned out fine. Shouldn’t harissa be spicy? It was mediocre.
Harissa spaghetti? Weird name but… actually delicious. 10/10 lol.
Honestly I love harissa with seafood—this sounds punchy and bright. Might steal this idea for dinner tonight 😄
Harissa spaghetti sounds like something from a TikTok ad lol. Also do you add the lemon before or after cooking? I’m confused—still, I’d try it.
I don’t know, seems too easy. Are those prawns cooked enough? I think I need more details next time.
Nah, not for me. I tried it but the harissa was too spicy for my taste buds. 😩
I added a tiny splash of pasta water and it made the sauce feel more glossy. Lemon at the end is a must—brightens everything.
Why do you need lemon in pasta? It just don’t make sense to me.
Lemon adds a brightness to the dish that cuts through the richness of the prawns and harissa. It’s all about balance!
prawns turned pink real fast lol. I’m not great with seafood timing but this recipe was pretty forgiving. Next time I’ll mince garlic smaller.
Haha yeah, once prawns hit that pink stage they don’t take long 😅 Love that it felt forgiving—mincing the garlic finer should make it blend in even better.
This prawn spaghetti is sooo good! I used more harissa for extra kick! Yummy!
I totally agree! The harissa really makes it pop! I love spicy food!
Harissa? Isn’t that too spicy for prawns? I don’t know, I prefer simple flavors.
Eh, it was alright. Didn’t really taste much. Maybe I didn’t add enough salt?
Looks good but I can’t eat prawns. Can I use chicken instead? Anyone tried that?
I think chicken would work just fine! It won’t be the same but it’ll be tasty in its own way. 😊
I dunno, chicken and prawns are different, you sure it’ll taste good?
The garlic step smells amazing, but I think 2-3 minutes for the prawns might depend on size. Mine overcooked slightly—next time I’ll watch closer.
Pretty good, but my prawns got a tad rubbery after 3 minutes. Maybe my pan runs hotter. Flavor is still awesome though.
Maybe cook the prawns less? I think 2 minutes max and then add harissa right away. Also if pan too hot the butter/oil gets chewy… not sure. Anyway flavor sounds great though!
Ah yeah, 3 minutes can definitely push them into “rubbery” territory—prawns are super sensitive. I usually pull them as soon as they’re just pink and then let the pasta finish warming them. Could be your pan runs hotter or the prawns were bigger.
I’m not convinced it needs lemon juice at the end; it made it a bit sour for my liking. Maybe I used the wrong harissa (way hotter).
Yeah, that lemon at the end is doing a lot. I add it gradually—like 1/2 tbsp first—because harissa already brings some tang. Also if your harissa was super hot, that could’ve made the sourness feel even sharper.
Not gonna lie, I didn’t have harissa so I used chili paste + a pinch of paprika. It worked, just different. Still worth making again.
This recipe was AMAZING! The prawns were so flavorful with the harissa. 10/10 would recommend!
This is one of those recipes that’s simple but impressive. The lemon juice at the end makes it taste way lighter than expected.
Yes! I love when a squeeze of lemon at the end totally changes the whole vibe—bright and not heavy at all. 🍋
Next time I might add a little extra parsley too.