Tahini Pasta
User Reviews
5.0
213 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4 as a main
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Calories
338 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Tahini Pasta
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Crafted with ease and taste in mind, this recipe is a great choice.
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces (227g) medium-sized ridged pasta, such as cavatappi, fusilli, penne rigate, or casarecce
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- 10 ounces (285g) of broccoli
- 1/3 (75g) cup tahini, well-stirred*
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large lemon
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup or agave nectar
- Ice water to thin
- 2 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large shallot, thinly sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- ½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (½ teaspoon is mild)
Topping
- 1 cup (16g) fresh basil leaves, slivered
- Reserved lemon zest
- Heaping ¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Use a peeler to shave the outer fibrous layer of the broccoli stalks. Slice off the bottom inch or so of the stalk that is very tough. Then thinly slice the stalks into coins and set aside. Cut the crowns into florets (not too big or too small).
- Cook the pasta. Bring 8 cups (2.1L)** of water in a saucepan to a boil. Once the water is nearly boiling, add a tablespoon of kosher salt. Add the pasta, and once it returns to a boil, start the timer and cook according to the package’s minimum time for al dente pasta, stirring occasionally.
- About 3 minutes before the pasta timer is done, add broccoli florets (not the stems). Cook until the pasta is barely al dente (a little undercooked is okay) and florets are crisp-tender and bright green. Scoop out 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and broccoli (do not rinse).
- While the pasta water is heating up or pasta is cooking, make the sauce***. Zest the lemon with a microplane or citrus zester, then juice the lemon. In a small or medium bowl, whisk together the tahini, olive oil, 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice, maple syrup, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and a generous amount of pepper. Add a pinch of the lemon zest but save the rest for topping. Whisk until the sauce is well-combined and thick. Stream in ice water and keep whisking until creamy but pourable (about 4 tablespoons).
- Meanwhile, make the topping: combine the slivered basil with the reserved lemon zest and the flaky sea salt.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the 2 ½ tablespoons of olive oil in a deep sauté pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the broccoli stems with a few pinches of salt. Cook for 2 minutes, then add the shallots and garlic, and cook for another 2 to 4 minutes, until broccoli stems have some color and shallots are golden. Add the red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds.
- Assemble the pasta. Add the hot cooked pasta and broccoli to the shallot-broccoli stem mixture, along with the tahini sauce and ¾ cup (180 mL) pasta water. Keep the pan over medium-high heat and use tongs to vigorously toss everything together, until the sauce is emulsified and clings to the pasta, and the pasta is al dente, about 2 minutes. If needed, add a bit more pasta water to bring everything together.****
- Take the pasta off the heat. Stir in most of the basil topping and toss to coat. Taste, adding more salt or pepper to season and a bit of the remaining lemon juice, if desired. Just before serving, garnish with remaining topping.
Notes
- * It’s important for the tahini to be smooth and runny (don’t use the bottom of the jar). My recommended tahini brands are Soom Foods, Baron’s, Beirut Tahini Sesame Paste, and Seed & Mill.
- ***If using a bulkier pasta shape like rigatoni, you’ll want to use a bit more water, about 10 cups (2.3 L).
- *** You can also make the tahini sauce 3 to 4 days in advance and store in the fridge.
- ***If adding a can of chickpeas or white beans, add them along with the broccoli-shallot mixture.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
338kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
51g
(17%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
Sodium
33mg
(1%)
Potassium
428mg
(12%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
836IU
(17%)
Vitamin C
73mg
(81%)
Calcium
69mg
(7%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4as a main
Amount Per Serving
Calories 338 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 338kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 51g | 17% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Sodium | 33mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 428mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 836IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 73mg | 81% |
| Calcium | 69mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
213 reviews
Excellent
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