Tahini Pasta

This easy Tahini Pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknight dinners but also special enough to make for company. So delicious!

I've always loved tahini in hummus, and in various restaurant dishes when we dine out. Recently, I started making my own tahini from scratch, and I've had the best time discovering all of the delicious ways you can use tahini!

As a pasta lover, you know I had to create a tahini pasta recipe. This tahini pasta is a delicious, creamy, and savory dish that offers a delightful twist on traditional pasta recipes.

The rich, nutty flavor of tahini perfectly coats each strand of pasta, creating a dish that’s both comforting and bold. With its creamy texture and subtle hints of garlic and lemon, tahini pasta brings Mediterranean flavors to the table in a quick and easy recipe.

So whether you’re looking for a vegan-friendly meal that's a quick weeknight dinner, tahini pasta is a satisfying option that feels both indulgent and wholesome. You're gonna love it!

What is tahini?

First, let's start with what the main ingredient is all about: tahini.

Tahini, very simply, is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. It has roots in the Middle East and North Africa.

It's a key ingredient in dishes like hummus and baba ghanoush, but as you'll see with this tahini pasta recipe, it also makes a fantastic base for sauces!

The slight bitterness and earthy flavor of tahini combine beautifully with acidic ingredients like lemon and garlic, offering a balance of richness and freshness in pasta dishes.

You can find tahini at most local grocery stores, but it's easy to make your own homemade tahini from scratch!

🌟 Why this recipe works

This tahini pasta recipe is:

• Easy: The steps are so simple: cook the pasta, make the sauce, combine the ingredients, and serve! I've included step-by-step photos below to help you cook this recipe.
• Vegan: See the ingredient notes below to keep this vegan. It's one of my personal favorite vegan pasta recipes!
• Versatile: You can also add your choice of veggies to this pasta, like cherry tomatoes, spinach, or mushrooms. Or add proteins to this dish if you don't need it to be vegan.
• Full of flavor: The tahini adds a rich flavor to the sauce, and the fresh basil and parsley brighten it all up. There's so much big umami flavors in every bite of this tasty pasta!

🛒 Ingredient notes

• Tahini: Try our recipe for homemade tahini from scratch -- it's so easy to make! If using store-bought tahini, look for a smooth, creamy tahini made from 100% sesame seeds. Some tahini can be bitter, so taste it before adding it to the sauce.
• Lemon juice and lemon zest: Fresh lemon juice and lemon zest add acidity and brightness, balancing the richness of the tahini.
• Garlic: Finely minced garlic brings a savory depth of flavor to the sauce.
• Olive oil: High-quality extra-virgin olive oil enhances the sauce’s texture and flavor.
• Pasta: Use any pasta shape you prefer, although I find that spaghetti or linguine works particularly well in this recipe.
• Herbs: Fresh parsley and basil leaves add a bright, herbaceous flavor the every bite.
• Pepper flakes: Chili pepper flakes or red pepper flakes add a touch of heat, balancing out the richness and creaminess of this dish. You can always decrease the amount or simply leave it out if you don't want any heat in this dish. It's just as delicious when made mild.
• Salt and pepper: kosher salt and ground black pepper (not pictured above) balances out the creaminess in the pasta sauce.

Optional: add dairy free shredded cheese (pictured but not labeled in the ingredient photo above) or nutritional yeast for a nutty, cheesy flavor while keeping this vegan. If you don't need to keep it vegan, add grated parmesan cheese before serving.

✅ Step-by-step instructions

You'll find a full list of ingredients with measurements, as well as more detailed instructions, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are step-by-step photos and basic cooking instructions to help you make this amazing tahini pasta.

1. Cook the pasta:  Boil pasta in a large pot of water according to package instructions dente. Reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water before draining.
2. Make the sauce: Add olive oil to a large pan and cook the garlic for 1 minute.
3. Add the tahini.

4. Then add the red pepper flakes and salt.

5. Add the lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Slowly and gradually add in the reserved hot starchy pasta water, stirring to combine with the sauce.

6. Add just enough of the reserved pasta water to achieve your preferred level of thickness and creaminess for the tahini pasta sauce.

7. Add the cooked pasta to the pan and gently toss to combine and coat the pasta with the sauce.

8. Sprinkle in the basil, lemon zest, and half of the parsley. Toss to combine.

Serve immediately, with additional parsley as garnish as needed.

🍽 Serving ideas

This tahini pasta makes an amazing weeknight meal. It's also great to serve when you have company over.

Some side dishes that go well with tahini pasta include:

• Vegetables: Air fryer broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or roasted asparagus all complement the creamy pasta with their slightly charred flavor.
• Salad: A fresh arugula salad adds a refreshing, light contrast.
• Garlic Bread: For a heartier meal, serve with a side of garlic bread or pesto bread (pictured above) to soak up the sauce.

🍷 🥂 Wine pairings

I definitely recommend pairing tahini pasta with a crispy white wine. Here are my top two wine pairing suggestions:

• Sauvignon Blanc: The bright acidity and citrus notes of Sauvignon Blanc pair beautifully with the creamy, tangy tahini sauce.
• Chardonnay: An unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay complements the richness of the tahini, while still offering a refreshing balance with its fruit-forward flavors.

🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment

Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you'll need:

• Large skillet or saucepan - I use my Lodge enameled cast iron casserole skillet for this recipe in the photos.
• Large pot for cooking the pasta

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Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!