Tahini Pasta

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. These Souper Cubes are great for freezing sauces in.
• 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

More Simple Vegetarian Dinner Ideas

• Halloumi Stroganoff
• Loaded Veggie Nachos
• Halloumi Fajitas
• Lemon and Pea Risotto

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