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Looking for a new and simple pasta dish to try? This easy tahini pasta recipe is ready in just 20 minutes! Creamy, tangy, nutty goodness – the flavorful tahini sauce on this pasta is SO GOOD!
Hey there, pasta lovers! Have you ever tried tahini pasta? If not, give this easy-to-make pasta recipe a try! Tahini pasta is made by combining a delicious tahini sauce with your favorite type of pasta. Serve it as a main or a side dish!
Some of the tahini pasta sauces that I have tried have tasted kind of bland and lacking in flavor. Not this one! This tahini sauce is so addictive – I could eat it by the spoonful! It’s creamy, tangy and gets a flavor boost from the addition of umami rich ingredients like nutritional yeast and tamari as well as spices.
Here’s Why You’ll Love It
- Ready in just 20 minutes! Perfect for busy nights or a cozy night in.
- Creamy, nutty, tangy and flavorful!
- This tahini pasta sauce is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free (if using tamari) and vegan. A great alternative to cream based sauces.
- Super customizable! Check out the “Customize It” section for loads of ideas.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s get started! Here’s what you’ll need to make this tahini pasta recipe:
- Pasta: Any size, shape or type of pasta that you like will work for this recipe.
- Tahini: Choose a creamy, silky smooth tahini that isn’t too bitter. This is the base of the sauce so you want to use a tasty one.
- Nutritional Yeast: Nutritional yeast gives the sauce a savory boost of umami goodness. Make sure not to accidentally use a different type of yeast!
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon to brighten up the sauce.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds some tanginess to the sauce. You can also substitute for additional lemon juice if you prefer.
- Olive Oil or Avocado Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil for a neutral tasting alternative.
- Tamari or Soy Sauce: Tamari (or soy sauce) adds some depth and a boost of umami flavor.
- Maple Syrup: Just a touch to round out the flavors. This is optional.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: For flavor.
- Water: To achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Salt & Pepper: To taste.
- Garnishes: I like to add chopped fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, sesame seeds or pine nuts and lemon zest.
Detailed ingredient list and directions located in the recipe card below.
How To Make Tahini Pasta
This quick and simple pasta dish is ready in about the time it takes to cook your pasta. Let’s make some!
STEP 1: Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Make sure to reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
Tip: Don’t forget to scoop out about 1 cup of the pasta water right before draining it. Adding a bit of starchy pasta water when mixing the cooked pasta with the tahini sauce is the secret to a creamy luscious sauce.
STEP 2: Make the tahini pasta sauce. While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the tahini sauce ingredients in a bowl until smooth and creamy (or use a blender or food processor to combine).
Tip: Make a double batch of the tahini sauce! It stores well in the fridge for a couple weeks and is also delicious drizzled over grilled or roasted veggies, salad, nourish bowls, rice bowls or used as a spread on sandwiches and wraps.
STEP 3: Combine it all together. Toss the drained pasta together with the tahini sauce to evenly coat. Add some of the reserved pasta water until you have a creamy, silky sauce coating the pasta.
STEP 4: Garnish and enjoy! Serve the pasta immediately (the sauce will thicken as it cools). Garnish and enjoy! Some garnish ideas include: chopped fresh parsley or basil, red pepper flakes or chili crisp, sesame seeds or pine nuts and lemon zest.
Customize It
There are so many ways to customize this tahini pasta recipe. Use it as the base and add to it as you like. Here are a few ideas:
- Add veggies: Add some roasted, grilled or sauteed veggies like mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, asparagus, broccoli, green beans, red bell pepper, cauliflower, etc. Sun dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers or artichoke hearts would also be a delicious addition.
- Add a protein: Serve the tahini pasta as a side dish with your favorite protein or add it directly to the pasta. To keep it vegan/vegetarian, add tofu or tempeh. Otherwise, chicken, salmon and shrimp also pair well.
- Garnish it: Not only do garnishes make things pretty but they also add additional flavor, color and texture to the pasta. A few ideas include: chopped herbs, toasted sesame seeds, toasted pine nuts, lemon zest, chili flakes, chili crisp, dukkah, a finishing salt or seasoning blend (like a sprinkle of this homemade bouillon powder).
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- To Reheat: Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat with a little water, stirring until it’s warm and creamy again.
- Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing this tahini pasta. However, the tahini sauce freezes wells and can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw before using.
- Meal Prep: This pasta tastes best when served immediately. However the sauce can be prepped ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a couple weeks.
FAQ
Tahini is a smooth, creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds. For best results, choose a creamy, silky smooth tahini (not dry or super thick) that isn’t too bitter.
It can be served as a main or as a side dish. You can serve with some additional protein (tofu or tempeh to keep it vegan/vegetarian or chicken, salmon or shrimp). Also pairs well with grilled, roasted or sauteed veggies or a simple salad, chopped salad or this cucumber yogurt salad.
Absolutely! The tahini sauce will last in the fridge for a couple weeks or in the freezer for 3 months.
I highly recommend making a double batch of this sauce since it can be used in so many ways. It’s delicious drizzled over grilled or roasted veggies, rice bowls or nourish bowls. Also makes a great salad dressing or spread for sandwiches and wraps.
More Simple Vegetarian Dinner Ideas
Did you make this tahini pasta recipe? I would love to hear about it! Leave me a comment below.
Tahini Pasta
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 4–6 (as a main) 1x
- Category: Main Course, Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean Inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This easy tahini pasta recipe is ready in just 20 minutes! Creamy, tangy, nutty goodness – the flavorful tahini sauce on this pasta is SO GOOD!
Ingredients
For the pasta:
- 1 (1 pound/500 g) package of pasta, any shape or variety you like
- Garnish: chopped fresh parsley or basil, red pepper flakes or chili crisp, toasted sesame seeds or pine nuts, lemon zest, etc.
For the tahini sauce:
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about juice of 1 lemon)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup water (quantity will depend on how thick tahini is)
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Make sure to reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Make tahini sauce: While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the tahini sauce ingredients in a bowl until smooth and creamy (or use a blender or food processor). Add just enough of the water to form a smooth and creamy sauce (amount will depend on thickness of tahini used).
- Combine: Toss the drained pasta together with the tahini sauce to evenly coat. Gradually add some of the reserved pasta water until you have a creamy, silky sauce coating the pasta.
- Garnish and enjoy: Serve the pasta immediately (the sauce will thicken as it cools). Garnish and enjoy!
Notes
- Tahini: Tahini is a smooth creamy paste made from ground sesame seeds. Choose one with a creamy, silky smooth texture (not dry or thick) that isn’t too bitter. This is the base of the sauce so you want to use a tasty one.
- Reserve some pasta water: Don’t forget to scoop out about 1 cup of the pasta water right before draining it. Adding a bit of starchy pasta water when mixing the cooked pasta with the tahini sauce is the secret to a creamy luscious sauce.
- Customize it: Use this recipe as a base and add to it as you like. A few ideas include adding roasted, grilled or sauteed veggies, adding sun dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers or artichoke hearts, adding a protein (tofu or tempeh to keep it vegan/vegetarian, otherwise chicken, salmon or shrimp also pair well) or getting creative with garnishes. Serve it as a main or a side dish.
- Make a double batch of the tahini sauce! It stores well in the fridge for a couple weeks and is also delicious drizzled over grilled or roasted veggies, rice bowls or nourish bowls. Can also be used as a salad dressing or sandwich/wrap spread.
⬇ PIN it for later! ⬇
You are so right, the key to success with this recipe is the right tahini! Once I found the right one it was so easy to make and so tasty that we ate the whole pot.
A delicious, creamy, mild flavored tahini is so key! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
This tahini pasta was so good with some asparagus added. I used gluten-free pasta and it turned out perfect. Thanks for this recipe!
Yum! Asparagus is a fabulous addition!
This sounds like a new horizon for me, tahini I’m always a bit scared of it because of its strength but somehow, with the tahini and lemon sounds dreamy. Plus, your pasta are looking so fun, what are they called? Mama Fusilli? A definite must-try!
The key is to find a good tahini that is smooth and creamy with a milder taste. I used to think that I didn’t like it because I had tried a really bitter one. I think the pasta is Trottole (I picked it up in a local Italian shop and don’t have another bag on hand to double check). However, you can use any shape of pasta for this recipe. I just thought this one looked fun when I saw it so I couldn’t resist!
OMG this was fabulous! Love how quickly it came together and love that it is healthy too!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
tasty tahini pasta recipe. I enjoyed the lemon zest you added to it . it really brightened and made this recipe pop!
I loved making this pasta. I think using tahini in pasta is a genius take. Loved the freshness from the vinegar. Great balance of flavors here.
I’m so glad that you enjoyed it!
This is such an easy recipe. Love the description you have mentioned of creamy, tangy and nutty. Thanks for a reminder.
What incredible flavors in this creamy and flavorful tahini pasta. I can’t wait to try it out.
Vanessa, you always see to outdo yourself. This was absolutely delicious that even my pickiest eaters asked for seconds!
I’m so happy to hear that!
Love this tahini pasta recipe!!! it looks delicious and fresh. Definitely will make it for dinner soon. Thanks for sharing 🙂