🌶️ Hot Honey Halloumi Pasta
If you’re craving a vegetarian dish packed with bold flavors and a perfect balance of sweetness and heat, look no further than this Hot Honey Halloumi Pasta! The crispy, golden halloumi cheese is coated in a sweet and spicy honey sauce, and combined with a creamy, luscious sauce made from cream cheese and pasta water. It’s an easy and quick dish that’s perfect for any weeknight dinner or an impressive meal to share with friends!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 405.33 kcal per serving
📝 Ingredients:
225g halloumi, sliced
1 ½ tbsp honey
1 tsp dried chili flakes
120g extra light cream cheese
Pinch of sea salt and black pepper
½ tsp smoked paprika
1 vegetable stock cube, crumbled
250g dried pasta (your choice, but spaghetti or penne works great)
👩🍳 Directions:
1️⃣ Prepare the Honey-Chili Mixture
In a small bowl, combine the honey and dried chili flakes. Stir until well combined. This will be the sauce for the halloumi.
2️⃣ Boil the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Be sure to reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. Set the pasta and water aside.
3️⃣ Fry the Halloumi
While the pasta is cooking, slice the halloumi into thick slices. Heat a dry non-stick pan over medium heat. Fry the halloumi slices for about 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Remove the halloumi from the pan and set it aside.
4️⃣ Add the Hot Honey Sauce
In the same pan, add the honey-chili mixture and cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the halloumi to be fully coated in the spicy honey sauce. Once coated, set the halloumi aside.
5️⃣ Make the Creamy Sauce
In the same pan, add the cream cheese and let it melt over medium heat. Stir to create a smooth sauce. Add a pinch of sea salt and black pepper, followed by the smoked paprika and crumbled vegetable stock cube. Stir to combine.
6️⃣ Make the Sauce Creamy
Gradually add the reserved pasta water to the pan, stirring continuously until you achieve a glossy, creamy sauce. Add more pasta water if necessary to get the consistency you desire.
7️⃣ Combine the Pasta and Halloumi
Add the cooked pasta to the creamy sauce and toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Stir in half of the hot honey halloumi slices, and toss to combine everything.
8️⃣ Serve and Garnish
Transfer the pasta to plates and top with the remaining hot honey halloumi slices. Garnish with extra chili flakes, fresh herbs, or a sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.
🍴 Serving Suggestions:
This pasta is perfect as a standalone dish, but you can serve it with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. If you like it extra spicy, drizzle with more hot honey before serving!
📌 Tips:
Halloumi can be tricky to fry, so make sure your pan is heated well before adding the slices, and avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure a crispy texture.
Adjust the amount of chili flakes based on your spice tolerance. Add more for extra heat or skip them if you prefer a milder dish.
Pasta water is essential for creating a smooth and velvety sauce, so don’t skip this step!