Lamb & Feta Stuffed Pasta Shells in Spicy Harissa Sauce

Slow comfort meets bold flavour in this North African–inspired dish. Stuffed pasta shells are filled with fragrant lamb and cheese, nestled into a smoky harissa tomato sauce and finished in the air fryer oven for a beautifully golden bake. Serve with a cooling cucumber salad for balance.
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Serves: 4– 6

Prep Time: 45 mins

Cook Time: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

Lamb & Feta Stuffed Pasta Shells in a Spicy Harissa Sauce:

Pasta:

  • 18–20 jumbo pasta shells

Harissa sauce:

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil

  • 1 onion, finely chopped

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 1 tsp thyme leaves

  • 1 tsp dried oregano

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste

  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar

  • ¼ cup harissa paste (adjust to taste)

  • 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes

  • 1 cup chicken stock

Lamb:

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil

  • 1 onion, finely chopped

  • Pinch of salt

  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 1 tsp ground cumin

  • 1 tsp thyme leaves

  • 1 tsp dried oregano

  • 500g lamb mince

  • 1 cup ricotta, drained

  • ½ cup feta, crumbled

  • ¼ cup parmesan, grated

  • 1 tsp lemon zest

  • 1 egg, whisked

  • ¼ cup parsley, chopped

Method

Pasta:
Boil pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Harissa Sauce:

  1. Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and salt; sauté until softened (10 mins).

  2. Stir in garlic and cook 2 mins. Add thyme, oregano, paprika and tomato paste; cook another 2 mins.

  3. Add sugar, harissa, chopped tomatoes and stock. Simmer for 30 mins until thick.

  4. Blend with a stick blender until smooth but slightly chunky. Adjust seasoning.

Lamb Filling:

  1. Preheat air fryer oven to 175°C.

  2. In a pan, sauté onion and salt in olive oil for 10 mins. Add garlic, then cumin, thyme, and oregano.

  3. Increase heat, add mince, and brown. Drain excess fat.

  4. Once cool, divide mince in half. Mix one half with ricotta, feta, parmesan, zest, egg, and parsley. Season to taste.

  5. Combine remaining mince with harissa sauce. Spread this mix in the base of your baking dish.

  6. Fill each shell with the lamb-cheese mixture and nestle into the dish.

  7. Cover and cook in the air fryer oven for 15 mins. Remove lid and bake uncovered for 5–10 mins more until golden.

INGREDIENTS

Cucumber, Mint & Yoghurt Salad:

  • 1 large cucumber

  • 1 cup full-fat plain yoghurt

  • 3 Tbsp mint, finely chopped

  • 2 tsp dill, chopped

  • 1 garlic clove, grated

  • 1 tsp lemon zest

  • ¼ tsp salt

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil

  • Fresh mint sprigs

Method

  • Peel and deseed the cucumber, then cut into cubes.

  • Mix yoghurt, mint, dill, garlic, lemon zest and salt. Fold in the cucumber.

  • Serve in a shallow dish, drizzle with olive oil and top with mint sprigs.

Serve this bold, comforting dish in quality oven-to-table cookware and pair it with simple, flavourful sides. From durable cookware to everyday glassware, make sure your kitchen is prepped for warming winter dinners that hit the spot every time.

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