Harissa Prawn Linguine with Cherry Tomatoes
Juicy king prawns in a fiery tomato and harissa sauce tossed through linguine, ready in 25 minutes.
Made with Basic tomato sauce and Harissa paste. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.50 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Cook the linguine in a large pan of well salted boiling water according to the packet until al dente. Keep a mugful of the pasta water, then drain.
10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until just fragrant.
0 min 30 s - 3
Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in your ready made harissa paste (see the base recipe) and your ready made tomato sauce (see the base recipe). Simmer for 5 minutes.
5 min - 4
Add the prawns and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until they are pink and opaque all the way through.
3 min 30 s - 5
Tip in the drained linguine with a splash of pasta water and toss over the heat until the sauce coats every strand.
- 6
Finish with the lemon zest, a squeeze of lemon juice and the parsley.
Tips
- Add the prawns last. They need only 3 to 4 minutes and go rubbery if overcooked.
- Use the starchy pasta water to loosen and gloss the sauce. Add a little at a time.
- Frozen prawns work well. Thaw them fully in the fridge, pat dry and cook as above.
Storing and freezing
Cool quickly and keep in the fridge for up to 1 day. Reheat only once, until piping hot all the way through. Do not freeze cooked prawn pasta.
Questions
Can I make this gluten free?
Yes. Swap in gluten free linguine, which is usually made from corn and rice. Cook it according to the packet and rinse lightly, as it can be sticky.
Is this very spicy?
It is medium hot. Use 25 g harissa for a milder sauce, or add a spoonful at the end for more punch.
What fish can I use instead of prawns?
Flaked hot smoked salmon stirred in at the end, or chunks of firm white fish such as cod added for the last 4 minutes, both work. Squid rings also suit this sauce.
More made with basic tomato sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.