Description
Creamy Tahini Pasta is a simple and delicious Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring al dente pasta tossed in a rich, smooth tahini sauce with garlic, lemon, and Parmesan. Enhanced with fresh baby spinach and parsley, this vegetarian main course offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, ideal for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces pasta of choice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup reserved pasta water, plus more as needed
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Vegetables and Garnish
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Prepare Tahini Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together tahini, fresh lemon juice, grated Parmesan, salt, black pepper, and 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta water until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sautéed garlic. Pour in the tahini sauce and toss well to coat the pasta evenly. Add more reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a loose, creamy consistency.
- Add Spinach: Stir in the baby spinach and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the spinach wilts but remains vibrant green.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and garnish the pasta with chopped fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- For extra protein, add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu to the dish.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free if desired.
- The tahini sauce thickens as it sits; stir in a splash of warm water to loosen the sauce when reheating leftovers.
