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?
Yum!!!
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?
Not gonna lie, I used pre-cooked shrimp (because I’m lazy) and it turned out weird and mushy. I think cook time matters a lot here.
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.
This is such a punchy weeknight meal. The harissa + lemon combo is 🔥—mine turned out beautifully spicy, and the garlic aroma filled the kitchen.