Harissa Chickpea and Spinach Pasta with Lemon Zest

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-23 · Updated 2026-03-23

A vibrant Mediterranean pasta dish combining chickpeas, spinach, and a zesty harissa-lime sauce. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs Pasta, Chickpeas, Spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz Pasta
• 1 can Chickpeas
• 2 cups Spinach
• 1 tbsp Harissa paste
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice
• 2 tbsp Olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Tip: Use the reserved water later to adjust sauce consistency.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed) and sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until they begin to brown and release their oils. Tip: Don’t stir too frequently—this helps develop flavor.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp harissa paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 2 cups spinach and 2 tbsp lemon juice, then cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and turns a vibrant emerald green. Tip: Add spinach in one batch to ensure even cooking.
4. Step 4: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, along with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta in the harissa-chickpea mixture, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the pasta.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice and the zest of 1 lemon (grated finely over the top). Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or additional harissa if needed. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with crumbled parmesan or chopped parsley.