Harissa Spiced Pork Meatball Pasta

Name: Harissa Spiced Pork Meatball Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: North African
Ingredients: 0.5 pound ground pork; 1 tablespoon harissa paste; 0.25 teaspoon ground cumin; 0.25 cup breadcrumbs; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 clove garlic (minced); 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes; 0.25 teaspoon dried mint; 4 ounce spaghetti; 0.75 teaspoon salt; 0.25 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground); 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro (chopped)

Pan-fried harissa-spiced ground pork meatballs served with a speedy tomato sauce over pasta, delivering a bold and zesty North African flavor profile.

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 20 min
Total: 30 min
Servings: 2
Cuisine: North African
Difficulty: Easy

Dietary

Dairy-Free
Nut-Free
Soy-Free
Egg-Free
High-Protein

Ingredients

0.5 pound ground pork
1 tablespoon harissa paste
0.25 teaspoon ground cumin
0.25 cup breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic (minced)
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
0.25 teaspoon dried mint
4 ounce spaghetti
0.75 teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
2 tablespoon fresh cilantro (chopped)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 pound ground pork, 1 tablespoon harissa paste, 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1/4 cup breadcrumbs. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix until just combined and form into small, bite-sized meatballs (about 12-16).
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil for the spaghetti.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove meatballs from skillet and set aside.
Add 1 clove minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes and 1/4 teaspoon dried mint. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Return meatballs to the sauce and simmer gently for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook 4 ounces spaghetti according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta.
Serve the harissa spiced pork meatballs and sauce over the cooked spaghetti. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

Adjust the amount of harissa paste to control the spice level. You can use any short pasta shape instead of spaghetti if preferred.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 600
Protein: 34 g
Carbohydrates: 65 g
Fat: 25 g
Fiber: 6 g
Sodium: 750 mg
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Sugar: 7 g
Cholesterol: 70 mg