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.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and diced bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peppers soften.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Stir in the chickpeas and kalamata olives, cooking for an additional 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

Divide the Tunisian Penne into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley. Optional: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top for an extra layer of flavor.

Step 9

Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Tunisian-inspired pasta dish!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2226.9 grams (2226.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3411

Total Fat 123.40g	158%
Saturated Fat 27.50g	138%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.00g
Cholesterol 97mg	32%
Sodium 5698mg	248%
Total Carbohydrate 477.10g	173%
Dietary Fiber 73.60g	263%
Total Sugars 57.20g
Protein 112.50g	225%

Vitamin D 16IU	80%
Calcium 1063mg	82%
Iron 39mg	218%
Potassium 4623mg	98%

*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: 32.0%

Protein: 13.0%

Carbs: 55.0%