This spicy harissa ground beef is perfect over sweet carrot spirals for an easy dinner ready in less than 30 minutes. Made with storebought or homemade harissa paste. Or make it with my harissa spice blend if you are short on time.
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I created this harissa beef recipe years ago when I was doing a 30-day clean eating challenge. But we liked it so much it that it became a staple go-to weeknight dinner with enough leftovers for lunch.
You can change it up and serve it over lemon rice or pasta for a different dinner.
📖Why My Recipe Works
- Budget Friendly- Just a few ingredients and minimal cost.
- Sweet and Spicy- Good harissa has a kick to it. But carrots are naturally sweet so they create a delicious combo.
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Harissa Paste- Homemade harissa paste is by far my favorite. But store-bought paste works just fine as well. Or make a paste from my harissa spice blend.
- Onion- I use white onions, but a yellow, sweet, or red onions work fine. You can even use shallots or leeks.
- Tomato Paste- The tomato paste adds just a hint of sweetness to counterbalance the heat of the harissa.
- Carrot Noodles- Not gonna lie... I don't own a spiralizer. I buy all my veggies pre-noodled if you will. Trader Joe's has frozen carrot noodles that I always have on hand. But carrot noodles are also available at our local grocery change, both fresh and frozen. You can also substitute zucchini, squash, or sweet potato noodles.
- Fresh Parsley- This recipe needs a little green, it is rather, umm, orange. You can also use scallions or cilantro for a pop of color.
- Optional Add Ons- Fresh spinach or kale, chopped tomatoes, canned artichokes, sliced olives, or red kidney beans.
⏲️How To Make Harissa Ground Beef
- If your ground beef is less than 15% fat, I recommend adding oil or bacon fat to the pan to prevent excessive sticking.
- Break the meat up with a wooden spoon and cook it, stirring from time to time, until it becomes brown and crispy.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened. The total cook time for the browning and the onions should be about 8 minutes.
- Stir in the harissa paste, tomato paste, and ¼ cup of water. If adding certain optional ingredients like olives or artichokes, you can add them now. Hold off on any leafy greens.
- While the beef is cooking, you are going to start on the carrot noodles. In a saute pan add oil, carrot noodles, and ¼ cup of water. If they are frozen, just break them as best you can, no worries if it is a giant brick of carrots.
- Cover the carrots and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Uncover and stir, cook an additional 3-4 minutes until the water is evaporated and the carrots are soft. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stir in any optional ingredients like spinach or kale into your beef now. Heat until just wilted.
🥘One-Pot Instructions
To make this a one-pot dish add the carrot noodles after stirring in the harissa paste. Increase the water to a half cup. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
Uncover and stir, cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Add the parsley and serve.
🥡Storing Leftovers
Whether you are making this for your weekly meal prep or just have a bit of leftover harissa beef holds up well to reheating.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days. Reheat in a saute pan over medium heat.
Reheat in the microwave with a paper towel covering the bowl. The harissa paste can get a bit splattery.
🥗 More 30 Minute Meals
Did you enjoy making this recipe? Show it some love with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment! Hungry for more? Get more flavorful recipes!
📖 Recipe Card
Harissa Beef with Veggie Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tablespoon harissa paste
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 16 ounces carrot noodles
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup parsley, garnish
Instructions
- Place saute pan over medium heat. Add ground beef (plus 1 tablespoon of olive oil if your beef is less than 15% fat) and salt Break the meat up with a wooden spoon and cook it, stirring from time to time, until it becomes brown and crispy about 8 minutes.1 lb ground beef, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the harissa paste, tomato paste, and ¼ cup of water. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.1 medium onion, diced, 2 tablespoon harissa paste, 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- While the beef is cooking, add olive oil, carrot noodles, and ¼ cup of water to a large saute pan. Cover and place over medium heat. Cook 4 to 5 minutes. Uncover and stir, cook an additional 3-4 minutes until the water is evaporated and the carrots are soft. Season with salt and pepper.16 ounces carrot noodles
- Divide carrot noodles into 4 bowls. Top with harissa beef and garnish with parsley.¼ cup parsley, garnish
Notes
- This makes a great meal prep lunch. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.
- Adjust the amount of harissa paste to your preferred level of spiciness. You can use store bought or homemade harissa paste.
Sallie Rashid says
What are carrot noodles
Jen Wooster says
Also called veggie spirals. They are in the frozen food section. You can use squash, carrot or zucchini.
Jere says
How unique to use carrot noodles, I have to try this. I love the flavors you have put into this recipe.
Jen says
Let us know how it turns out!
Tara says
What a flavorful weeknight meal! It was incredible with the carrot noodles and I absolutely love harissa.
Jen says
We love it too, need to find more ways to use it.
Emily says
Love how delicious this was! The harissa beef was definitely the cherry on top.
Jen says
Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Jesse says
This spiced ground beef with carrot noodles is amazing! Thanks for a great recipe.
Jen says
Warms my heart to hear you enjoyed it. Bon appetit!