Tunisian Penne
Transport your taste buds to North Africa with this vibrant and flavorful Tunisian Penne recipe, a delightful fusion of Mediterranean and Tunisian cuisine. This dish features tender penne pasta tossed in a zesty, spice-infused tomato sauce jazzed up with aromatic harissa, cumin, and coriander. The addition of hearty chickpeas, briny kalamata olives, and sweet bell peppers makes this pasta both satisfying and rich in textures. Garnished with fresh parsley and optional crumbled feta cheese, this vegan-friendly (feta optional) pasta creation is perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. Ready in just 40 minutes, this one-pot comfort food is a must-try for those seeking bold, exotic flavors! Keywords: Tunisian Penne, harissa pasta recipe, Mediterranean-inspired pasta, quick weeknight dinner, vegan pasta options.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams penne pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 medium (one red, one yellow, diced) bell peppers
- 400 grams canned diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon harissa paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 can (400 grams, drained and rinsed) chickpeas
- 100 grams (pitted and halved) kalamata olives
- 2 tablespoons (finely chopped, for garnish) parsley
- 1 teaspoon (or to taste) salt
- 0.5 teaspoon (or to taste) black pepper
- 100 grams (crumbled, optional for garnish) feta cheese
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent.
Add the minced garlic and diced bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peppers soften.
Stir in the tomato paste, harissa paste, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, and chili flakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices and deepen their flavors.
Add the canned diced tomatoes and stir to combine. Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Stir in the chickpeas and kalamata olives, cooking for an additional 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Add the cooked penne to the sauce, tossing to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your preferred consistency.
Divide the Tunisian Penne into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley. Optional: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top for an extra layer of flavor.
Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Tunisian-inspired pasta dish!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
571 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 27.5 g | 35% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.0 g | 35% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 24 mg | 8% | |
| Sodium | 1310 mg | 57% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 65.7 g | 24% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.1 g | 47% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.0 g | ||
| Protein | 18.2 g | 36% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 250 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 5.6 mg | 31% | |
| Potassium | 831 mg | 18% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
