Harissa Couscous

Elevate your weeknight dinners with this vibrant and flavorful Harissa Couscous recipe, a one-pan wonder that bursts with North African-inspired zest! Tender, fluffy couscous is infused with the smoky heat of harissa paste and mingles with sautéed zucchini, cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers, and hearty chickpeas for a colorful medley of textures. Aromatic spices like cumin and paprika deepen the flavor, while fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon add a refreshing finish. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy couscous dish can effortlessly serve as a satisfying vegetarian main or a bold, spicy side dish packed with wholesome ingredients. Perfect for meal prep or a quick dinner, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between healthy and delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• 1.25 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1.5 tablespoons harissa paste
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 small zucchini
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 0.5 cup canned chickpeas
• 2 cloves garlic
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 1 medium lemon
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring 1.25 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 0.5 teaspoons of salt. Remove from heat, stir in the couscous, and cover. Let it sit for 5 minutes to absorb the liquid, then fluff with a fork.

Step 2

While the couscous is resting, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Mince the garlic cloves. Dice the zucchini and red bell pepper into small cubes. Halve the cherry tomatoes.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the zucchini, red bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.

Step 5

Stir in the chickpeas, harissa paste, ground cumin, and paprika. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 6

Transfer the fluffed couscous to the skillet and toss to combine with the vegetables and spices. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper, as needed.

Step 7

Chop the fresh parsley and juice the lemon. Sprinkle the parsley over the couscous and squeeze fresh lemon juice on top for brightness.

Step 8

Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy it as a light, standalone meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1125.7 grams (1125.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	733

Total Fat 34.80g	45%
Saturated Fat 5.40g	27%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.90g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3572mg	155%
Total Carbohydrate 90.40g	33%
Dietary Fiber 15.70g	56%
Total Sugars 24.90g
Protein 18.20g	36%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 186mg	14%
Iron 6mg	34%
Potassium 1518mg	32%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.9%

Protein: 9.7%

Carbs: 48.4%