Harissa Veggie Tray Bake

Tray bakes are the ultimate answer when you’re craving a fuss-free meal that still packs a punch and this Harissa Veggie Tray Bake does just that. It takes minimal effort but delivers big, bold flavours that everyone will love. The combination of roasted sweet potatoes, chickpeas, peppers, tenderstem broccoli, and onions tossed in rose harissa, garlic, and lemon zest makes for a delightful meal that is both satisfying and nourishing.

Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe will soon become a go-to in your kitchen. With its vibrant colours, tantalising aroma, and robust taste, the Harissa Veggie Tray Bake makes healthy eating easy. Whether you follow a vegan diet or just want to enjoy a plant-based meal, this tray bake is a winner. It’s quick to prepare and even easier to enjoy!

Taste of Contents

• Ingredient Breakdown
• Rose Harissa: A Flavour Powerhouse
• The Beauty in Simplicity
• Customising Your Harissa Veggie Tray Bake
• Tips for the Best Harissa Veggie Tray Bake
• More Tray Bake Recipes

Ingredient Breakdown

• Sweet potato: A naturally sweet and earthy vegetable that becomes wonderfully tender when roasted.
• Chickpeas: These provide a hearty, plant-based protein and a slight nuttiness that complements the other ingredients.
• Extra-virgin olive oil: Adds richness and helps to coat the vegetables for even roasting.
• Sweet pointed peppers: Their natural sweetness balances out the savoury elements in the dish.
• Tenderstem broccoli: Tender and slightly crispy when roasted, it adds a fresh, slightly bitter contrast to the sweet vegetables.
• Onion: A savoury, caramelised addition that brings depth to the dish.
• Rose harissa paste: This spicy, smoky paste adds a kick of heat and complexity to the tray bake.
• Lemon zest: Brightens the dish with its fresh citrus flavour, enhancing the other ingredients.
• Garlic: Adds depth and fragrance, bringing the whole dish together.

Rose Harissa: A Flavour Powerhouse

When it comes to adding depth and complexity to dishes, rose harissa is an essential ingredient. Traditional harissa paste is a staple in many North African and Middle Eastern kitchens. The rose variety, however, introduces a unique twist. The inclusion of rose petals in the paste not only imparts a subtle floral sweetness but also softens the heat of the chillies. The result is a more balanced and rounded flavour. This makes it an ideal addition to a veggie tray bake, where the spices can enhance rather than overpower the natural sweetness of the vegetables.

The beauty of rose harissa is its versatility. It’s not only suitable for vegetarian or vegan dishes, but it can also be paired with meats, grains, and even dairy products. A spoonful of this paste can elevate simple meals like roasted vegetables, soups, or even pasta. The deep, smoky flavour combined with the gentle heat makes it perfect for anyone looking to experiment with new and exciting flavours. Whether you’re drizzling it over salads, mixing it into dips, or using it as a marinade, rose harissa will quickly become a pantry staple in your kitchen.

The Beauty in Simplicity

The beauty of a tray bake lies in its simplicity. You start by placing the sweet potato cubes and chickpeas on a baking tray. Then drizzle them with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper. Roasting them for just 20 minutes brings out the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes and crisps up the chickpeas, creating a satisfying texture. The process is incredibly straightforward, yet the flavours begin to meld together beautifully in the oven.

Once the sweet potatoes and chickpeas have had their first round in the oven, the next step is to add the remaining vegetables and seasoning. The sweet pointed peppers, tenderstem broccoli, and onions are tossed into the tray with the rose harissa paste, garlic, and lemon zest. The harissa paste introduces a smoky, spicy kick that infuses every vegetable with deep, complex flavours. The garlic and lemon zest balance out the richness with their freshness and sharpness. With just a few more minutes in the oven, the dish is ready to serve.

Customising Your Harissa Veggie Tray Bake

One of the best things about a recipe like the Harissa Veggie Tray Bake is that it’s easily customisable. While the original recipe is delicious, there are countless ways you can adapt it to suit your personal preferences or dietary needs. For instance, if you’re not a fan of chickpeas, you can swap them for another type of bean, such as cannellini or kidney beans, or even roasted lentils for a different texture.

Feel free to experiment with the vegetables, too. If you don’t have tenderstem broccoli, regular broccoli or cauliflower would work just as well. You could even add some root vegetables like parsnips or carrots for a heartier version. Additionally, the flavour profile of the dish can be adjusted by playing with the spices. Adding cumin, coriander, or paprika can complement the rose harissa. A handful of fresh herbs like coriander or mint can bring a burst of freshness once the tray bake is done.

For those who want to add a protein, the beauty of a tray bake is that it can easily be transformed into a complete meal. For example, you can add pieces of chicken, lamb, or fish to the tray before roasting. These proteins will absorb the flavours of the harissa paste, creating a wonderfully cohesive dish. The key is to ensure that the cooking times of all the ingredients align so everything cooks perfectly.

You can also try serving it with a dollop of yoghurt or a sprinkle of feta for an added touch of creaminess that contrasts the heat of the harissa.

Tips for the Best Harissa Veggie Tray Bake

• Use good-quality harissa paste: Not all harissa is created equal. Look for a rose harissa paste with a rich, balanced flavour. This will have a big impact on the taste of the dish.
• Don’t overcrowd the tray: For the best results, arrange the vegetables in a single layer on the tray. This ensures that they roast evenly and become crispy rather than steaming.
• Adjust the spice level: If you prefer a milder flavour, use less harissa or opt for a different type of chilli paste. Alternatively, add more harissa for an extra kick.
• Make it ahead: This tray bake makes for great leftovers. You can prepare it in advance and store it in the fridge for a couple of days. Reheat it in the oven for a quick, easy meal later in the week.

More Tray Bake Recipes

There’s something so satisfying about making a meal in just one tray (not to mention it saves on the washing up!). So if you enjoyed this Harissa Veggie Tray Bake, I have some more recipes just like it for you to try:

• Harissa Chicken Tray Bake: Tender chicken marinated in spicy harissa atop a bed of roasted veg. Perfect for a quick midweek meal that packs a punch every time.
• Smoky Chicken and Chorizo Tray Bake: This Spanish-inspired tray bake combines the delicious smoky flavours of chorizo with smoked paprika, garlic, chicken, potatoes, peppers and onions.
• Peri Peri Salmon Tray Bake: Succulent salmon. Golden brown, crispy potatoes. Slightly charred tenderstem broccoli. Perfectly seasoned with a tasty 5-ingredient homemade peri peri spice mix.
• Puttanesca Tray Bake: Versatile, effortless, and packed with bold Mediterranean flavours. This tray bake comes together in the oven to create a deeply savoury, jammy sauce that clings beautifully to pasta.

See how I make these recipes and more over on my Instagram!