This Harissa Beef and Crispy Potatoes recipe is a bold, easy weeknight meal featuring spiced beef mince, golden roasted potatoes and onions, and a flavorful finishing touch of crumbled feta and fresh herbs. Everything is cooked and layered in a single pan, making it a practical and flavor-packed dish that’s ready in under an hour. It’s an effortless way to enjoy hearty comfort food with a North African twist.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• Olive oil (for frying and roasting)

• 600g potatoes, cut into rough chunks

• 2 red onions, cut into wedges

• 400g British lean beef mince

• 400g tin chopped tomatoes

• 4 tsp harissa paste

• 100g feta, crumbled

• 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (parsley, mint, and coriander)

Directions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. Place 2 tbsp oil in a shallow roasting tin and heat in the oven.

2. Roast Vegetables: Add potatoes and onion wedges to the hot oil. Roast for 30 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and crisp.

3. Cook the Beef: While potatoes roast, heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pan. Brown the beef over medium heat, then stir in chopped tomatoes and 150ml water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, then add harissa paste. Simmer gently for 20 minutes.

4. Grill to Finish: Spoon the harissa beef mixture over the roasted potatoes and onions. Sprinkle crumbled feta on top and grill for 5 minutes until the feta begins to brown.

5. Garnish and Serve: Top with chopped herbs before serving.

Nutrients

Per Serving:

• Calories: 427 kcal

• Fat: 5.8g (of which saturated: 6.3g)

• Protein: 29.7g

• Carbohydrates: 38.2g (of which sugars: 10.1g)

• Fibre: 6.1g

• Salt: 1g

A Bold Blend of Flavors

The core flavor of this dish is anchored in harissa, a North African chili paste made with a blend of roasted red peppers, garlic, caraway, coriander, and cumin. While traditional harissa can be fiery, store-bought versions often offer a more balanced heat, letting you adjust the intensity based on personal preference. When combined with juicy beef mince, sweet roasted onions, and bright tomatoes, the harissa lends an irresistible smoky-spicy depth that elevates the dish far beyond basic mince and potatoes.

Topped with crumbly feta, which adds a salty creaminess, and fresh herbs like parsley, mint, and coriander for brightness, this dish becomes a vibrant fusion of Mediterranean warmth and Middle Eastern spice. It’s a compelling take on classic meat-and-potatoes with just the right twist to keep it exciting.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe strikes the perfect balance between hearty and healthy, easy and elevated. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your regular rotation:

• One-pan meal: Everything comes together in the same roasting tin or pan, reducing cleanup time.

• Under an hour: It’s ideal for busy weeknights without sacrificing depth of flavor.

• Customizable spice level: Harissa can be dialed up or down to suit all palates.

• Nutrient-dense: With nearly 30g of protein and 6g of fiber per serving, it’s both filling and nourishing.

• Globally inspired: It introduces bold, exotic flavors in an accessible way, no specialty skills required.

The Beauty of Roasted Potatoes and Onions

Potatoes are a natural partner for any hearty meat dish, and in this recipe, they’re more than a side—they’re the crispy, golden foundation. Roasting them first in olive oil at high heat allows their edges to crisp and caramelize, offering a satisfying crunch that complements the juicy beef topping.

The addition of red onion wedges not only enhances flavor but also provides a visual appeal. As the onions roast, their sugars caramelize, adding sweetness that balances the spicy, tangy beef. This simple technique of layering flavor through roasting is a hallmark of great one-pan meals.

Harissa: The Game-Changer Ingredient

Harissa is the hero of this dish, infusing the beef mixture with layers of complexity. Traditionally made with sun-dried chili peppers, garlic, spices, and olive oil, it’s a pantry staple that packs serious punch. In this recipe:

• It replaces multiple spices in one swoop, making prep faster.

• It brings smokiness, heat, and tang, complementing the beef and tomatoes beautifully.

• Its rich color adds to the dish’s visual impact, giving it a deep red hue that promises flavor.

If you’re new to harissa, start with a small amount and increase to taste—it’s surprisingly versatile and can be added to soups, marinades, or even dressings.

A Balanced Nutritional Profile

Despite being packed with flavor and hearty ingredients, this dish remains surprisingly balanced. Per serving, it offers:

• 427 calories: Moderate for a main course, especially considering its richness.

• 29.7g protein: Thanks to lean beef and feta, it’s satisfying and supports muscle health.

• 38.2g carbs: Mostly from potatoes, providing a solid energy source.

• 6.1g fiber: From potatoes, onions, and tomatoes, aiding digestion and satiety.

• 1g salt: Relatively low, especially considering it includes cheese and seasoning.

This balance makes it great for those looking to enjoy comfort food without overindulging, and it pairs well with a simple salad or green side dish for even more fiber and freshness.

Customizations and Variations

One of the strengths of this recipe is how easily it can be customized:

• Swap the protein: Use ground lamb or turkey for a variation in flavor and fat content.

• Make it vegetarian: Substitute beef with lentils, mushrooms, or chickpeas and increase the tomato quantity for moisture.

• Add greens: Toss in a handful of spinach or kale just before serving for an extra nutrient boost.

• Serve it differently: Instead of a pan bake, you could serve the beef mixture over baked sweet potatoes or wrap it in pita bread with yogurt.

Meal Prep Friendly

This recipe also holds up beautifully as a meal prep option. Simply prepare and store components separately:

• Roast the potatoes and onions and store in an airtight container.

• Make the harissa beef and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

• Reheat together, sprinkle feta and herbs fresh on top before serving.

The flavors even deepen after resting, making leftovers just as—if not more—delicious.

Serving Suggestions

While this dish is satisfying on its own, you can round it out with a few additions:

• A cucumber-yogurt dip (like tzatziki) for a cooling contrast to the spice.

• A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness.

• Warm flatbread or pita to scoop up the beef and potatoes.

• A glass of red wine or mint tea to complement the flavors.

Conclusion

Harissa Beef and Crispy Potatoes is a modern comfort food that doesn’t shy away from flavor. It brings together the rustic satisfaction of roasted potatoes with the spicy-sweet complexity of harissa beef and the creamy tang of feta for a dish that’s both easy to prepare and impressive to serve.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself, feeding your family, or entertaining guests, this one-pan recipe is a winner. It’s comforting yet fresh, bold yet familiar—proof that a few simple ingredients, when thoughtfully combined, can create something truly special.