20-Minute Creamy Tahini Pasta
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
5 mins
-
Cook Time
12 mins
-
Total Time
17 mins
-
Servings
4 to 6
-
Calories
817 kcal
-
Cuisine
Mediterranean
20-Minute Creamy Tahini Pasta
Description
The 20-Minute Creamy Tahini Pasta brings together tahini, garlic powder, dry minced onion, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper to build a flavorful sauce with a hint of smoky warmth. Cherry tomatoes add bright acidity and a touch of freshness, while lemon juice and zest bring brightness and balance to the rich sauce. Cooking pasta al dente allows the noodles to retain a pleasant bite once tossed with the sauce. The addition of fresh basil or parsley adds herbal notes that complete the dish.
The sauce is made by sautéing the spices and aromatics, then combining tahini and reserved starchy pasta water, which creates a silky and clingy texture. This pasta is best served immediately as the sauce thickens over time, but a splash of water can thin it if reheated. Garnishing with lemon zest and extra herbs provides an appealing, fresh finish. Optional crushed red pepper can add a mild heat to suit your preference.
This pasta works as a satisfying vegetarian main or side and can be customized by adding chickpeas or fried tofu cubes for protein. The recipe offers flexibility to add various vegetables according to your taste or seasonality. It is a rich yet straightforward sauce that differs from typical cream-based pasta sauces by incorporating tahini’s unique flavor and texture.
Choose a high-quality tahini with mild bitterness for the best sauce flavor.Reserve pasta water carefully to ensure sauce consistency.Season the sauce before adding pasta to adjust flavors precisely.Serve immediately or add water to loosen sauce if reheating leftovers.Feel free to supplement with vegetables or protein like chickpeas or tofu for heartier meals.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta
- 2 cups water reserved pasta water
- 1 cup tahini
- lemon juice of one
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon minced onion dry or onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, crushed
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup basil roughly chopped, or parsley
- lemon for garnish, zest
- crushed red pepper for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot with a lid, cook pasta according to package instructions and save 2 cups of pasta water.
- While the pasta is cooking, in a large pan over medium heat, add some oil, garlic powder, dry minced onion, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix well and cook for one minute.
- Then add tomatoes, mix well, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the tahini, pasta water and mix well.
- Add in the pasta and mix well.
- Add the chopped herbs and mix.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of lemon zest, more herbs, and crushed red peppers.
- Add more hot water if needed.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- Add vegetables or protein such as chickpeas or fried tofu cubes to enrich the meal.
- Consume immediately; the sauce thickens when left and can be thinned with added water when reheating.
- Use a high-quality tahini brand to avoid bitterness and enhance flavor.
- Cook the pasta al dente to maintain a pleasing texture after mixing with the sauce.
- Reserve and use the pasta water to achieve a creamy, clingy sauce texture.
- Taste and adjust seasonings before combining pasta and sauce.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4to 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories 817 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 817kcal | 41% |
| Carbohydrates | 107g | 36% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 34g | 52% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 15g | 88% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Sodium | 64mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 877mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 8g | 32% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1075IU | 22% |
| Vitamin C | 45mg | 50% |
| Calcium | 144mg | 14% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
