North African-inspired

Creamy Harissa Cottage Cheese Pasta with Chickpeas

A high-protein harissa cottage cheese pasta with crispy chickpeas, spinach, lemon, parsley, and Parmesan.

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Creamy Harissa Cottage Cheese Pasta with Chickpeas

I keep coming back to cottage cheese as a sauce base because it brings protein and creaminess without needing much heavy cream.

Blending it with harissa gives the pasta heat, color, and a savory edge.

Crispy chickpeas make the dish more interesting than a smooth bowl of pasta.

I like the way they add fiber and texture while keeping the sauce from feeling too rich.

I blend the sauce until smooth and toss it off the heat.

Gentle handling keeps the cottage cheese creamy instead of grainy.

For another recipe in this seed collection, try Cottage Cheese Green Enchilada Chicken Bake or Harissa Roasted Chickpea Sweet Potato Bowls.

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Directions

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
  2. Pat chickpeas dry and cook them in olive oil for 8 to 10 minutes, until crisp at the edges.
  3. Blend cottage cheese, harissa, lemon juice, 1/4 cup pasta water, and Parmesan until smooth.
  4. Add spinach to the hot pasta pot and let it wilt for 30 seconds.
  5. Off the heat, toss pasta and spinach with the harissa cottage cheese sauce.
  6. Loosen with more pasta water until glossy.
  7. Top with crispy chickpeas, lemon zest, parsley, and black pepper.

Nutrition

Nutrition Information

Estimated per serving: 590 calories, 34 g protein, 76 g carbohydrates, 17 g fat.

Variations

Recipe Variations

- Use whole-wheat pasta for more fiber.
- Add roasted cauliflower or zucchini.
- Swap harissa for Calabrian chili paste.

Notes

  • Blend the sauce fully before it touches the hot pasta.
  • Keep the pan off the heat when adding the sauce to prevent graininess.
  • Harissa varies by brand, so start with less if yours is very spicy.

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