On busy weeknights, nothing beats easy back-pocket recipes that use mostly pantry ingredients but don’t skimp on vegetables.
This 30-minute tahini pasta is a perfect example.
The lemon tahini sauce is richly creamy thanks to just three ingredients—tahini, pasta water, and a bit of olive oil—and it sings with nutty richness balanced by the brightness of fresh lemon.
But don’t let the simplicity fool you because this is a seriously satisfying and impressive bowl of pasta. Sautéed shallots and garlic give it savory depth, fresh basil adds a pop of flavor, and you get a ton of broccoli in here (florets and stems!) so it’s as nourishing as it is comforting.
Make it once and it’ll earn a permanent spot in your back pocket, too.
In this post:
Ingredient notes
Medium-sized ridged pasta. The tahini sauce is the star of this recipe, which is why you want to use short to medium-sized ridged pasta. The ridges scoop up the sauce in every nook and cranny, ensuring you get a burst of the nutty and lemony flavors in every bite. Cavatappi, fusilli, penne rigate, or casarecce are all great options.
Broccoli. Both the broccoli florets and the stalk add substance to this recipe. Yes, broccoli stalks are just as delicious as the florets! Please don’t toss them. Just be sure to shave the outside of the broccoli stalk first, as the skin can be quite woody.
Tahini. This is a smooth, luxurious seed butter made from ground sesame seeds. It’s a must-have ingredient in homemade hummus and this lemon tahini dressing, turns decadent brownies into healthy treats, and gives dressings for potato salad and roasted vegetables a creamy texture and complex flavors.
You can find tahini at most grocery stores these days, as well as online and Middle Eastern grocery shops.
Make sure you use (1) a brand of tahini that’s creamy, smooth, and nutty in taste, and (2) that you like the taste of the tahini!
Avoid using (1) bottom-of-the-jar crusty bits of tahini and (2) refrigerated tahini, as it can become very thick and is much harder to whisk.
Maple syrup. Just a touch will add balance to the nutty and tart tahini lemon sauce. Agave nectar will work just as well.
Lemon. The acidity of the lemon juice and zest cut through the subtle bitter flavors of the tahini. Without it, the sauce would be unbalanced and not as complex. In other words, don’t skip the lemon!
Shallot and garlic. Sautéed shallots and garlic give this pasta a savory depth of flavor, as well as a little extra texture.
Basil. Adds so much lovely fresh flavor! If basil isn’t in season, use a mixture of flat-leaf parsley and dill.
Step-by-step instructions
Prepare the broccoli stalks by shaving and discarding the outer layer. Slice the stems into coins and set them aside. Cut the crowns into florets, not too big or small.
Cook the pasta and broccoli florets. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package’s minimum time for al dente.
When the pasta is 3 minutes away from being done, add the broccoli florets. Cook until the pasta is barely al dente (tender with a slight chew) and the florets are bright green. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
Make the tahini sauce. Whisk the tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, lemon zest, salt, and pepper together until thick. Stream in ice water until the sauce is creamy, yet pourable.
Heat some olive oil in a deep skillet and add the broccoli stems. Cook for 2 minutes, then add the shallots and garlic. The shallots should be golden and the stems bright green when they’re done. Finish with the red pepper flakes.
To assemble the pasta, add the drained pasta and broccoli to the skillet with the broccoli stem-shallot mixture. Pour in the tahini sauce and some of the reserved pasta water.
Toss the pasta, broccoli, and sauce until everything is well coated. Finish by stirring in the basil topping. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste, then serve.
Tips for making this recipe
Use the tahini at the top or middle of the jar.
The tahini at the top or middle will be smooth, runny, and easier to work with overall. The stuff at the bottom of the jar will be stiff and crusty, making it harder to whisk and emulsify into a pasta sauce.
Tahini Storage Tips
Store jars of tahini upside down (seal the jar tightly, of course). This usually keeps the tahini well-mixed.
If your tahini has separated (dry thick part on bottom, oil on top), just add it to a food processor and blend until it returns to a creamy and uniform consistency.
Don’t add the ice water all at once.
Instead, add 1 tablespoon into the sauce at a time to achieve a perfectly pourable consistency. The amount of water needed will depend on your brand of tahini.
Always save your pasta water!
Scoop out about 1 cup of pasta water right before you drain it. Write this tip down on a post-it and keep it in a safe place in your kitchen! It’s easy to forget.
Pasta water is the starchy secret behind creamy and smooth pasta sauces. Pouring a little into the skillet with the pasta and tahini will (1) distribute the sauce more evenly; (2) help the pasta absorb the sauce; and (3) add more flavor.
Customize the mix-ins.
Not a broccoli fan? Swap it for asparagus or green beans (cut into 1-inch pieces). Alternatively, add shaved zucchini ribbons or sweet summer tomatoes as you’re assembling the pasta.
To make it a heartier main course, add a can of white beans or chickpeas to the broccoli-shallot mixture and briefly cook. Or, add vegan feta and finely chopped toasted walnuts when it’s time to assemble. All of that plant-based protein and fiber will keep you full for hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
I haven’t tested this recipe with gluten free pasta noodles, but you could use your favorite ridged gluten-free pasta instead. Since gluten-free pasta cooks differently and varies based on the ingredient (e.g., corn, rice), your pasta water may not be as starchy. If so, the pasta water may not be as useful in bringing the sauce together and helping it coat the pasta.
If that’s the case, you may want to thin out the sauce with some vegetable broth before combining it with the pasta. I’ve heard from gluten-free readers that Jovial organic brown rice pasta makes for starchy pasta water.
Yes, you can make the tahini sauce 3 to 4 days ahead of time. Whisk the sauce ingredients together and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge.
The sauce will thicken as it sits, so set it out at room temperature before using and give it another good stir before adding it to the pasta. You may also need to thin it out with a splash of water.
The most important thing is to use a tahini brand you know you already like, as it is a main component in this recipe
In the RPL kitchen, we often use Al Kanater, Beirut sesame paste, and Al Arz.
The leftovers will last for 3 to 5 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. I recommend serving the leftover pasta chilled or at room temperature instead of heating it up.
If you do want to heat it up, add it to a saucepan and drizzle in some hot water or plant-based milk to loosen the texture.
More easy vegan pasta recipes
- Vegan Pasta Salad (but with a makeover)
- Creamy Pantry Pasta (just 10 pantry ingredients and 20ish minutes!)
- Italian White Bean and Pasta Stew (rustic Italian comfort food)
- Caramelized Onion Pasta (just 9 ingredients, and SO much flavor)
If you love this Tahini Pasta as much as we do, please be sure to leave a rating and review below 🙂 And as always, I love seeing your remakes on Instagram!
Introducing
Big Vegan Flavor
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Tahini Pasta
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) broccoli
- 1/3 cup (75g) tahini, well-stirred (See Note 1)
- 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 cloves garlic, 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)(See Note 2) 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 (See Note 3). 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 (See Note 4).
- 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 Al Kanater, Beirut sesame paste, and Al Arz.
- 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this? Leave a rating below!Recipe: Nisha Vora / Rainbow Plant Life | Photography: Rosana Guay
It was DELICIOUS and simple. Thank you for such a simple and healthy meal my whole family enjoyed.
Oh wow! This was absolutely delicious, the nutty flavour of the tahini balances perfectly with the zesty lemon, and it’s ever so creamy and satisfying! Quick and easy enough for a quick weeknight meal too, it’s definitely going into my repertoire.
We’re over the moon to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Cris. Thanks for your kind words!
Awesome, Courtney. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
Made this with yellow onions instead of shallots, added chickpeas in for protein, and added in more garlic and red pepper for an extra kick! People went back for seconds. Huge hit!
We’re so happy that the pasta turned out well for you, Erika. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and for trying out the recipe!
Delicious! I added some leftover mushrooms and that was good as well:) My husband doesn’t like citrus in his food (can you imagine?!) Wondering what I could use for flavor instead of lemon?
Anywho, I loved it as is and he added more salt and pepper flakes.
Your recipes are always so flavorful!
We’re so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Taunya 🙂 And I can’t imagine lol! We always recommend using citrus juice with tahini because the acidity really brightens up the slight bitterness of tahini. But I suppose you could try a mild vinegar like white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar. Use half the amount to start and then add more to taste. Hope that helps!
This was delicious, and even more delicious the next day, I’ll definitely add the beans for more protein next time. Will be adding to my regular rotation.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Gayle! It makes us happy to know that you enjoyed the recipe.
This is dreamy. Added to my meal plan! As a full-time traveler, I need quick n easy dishes that are guaranteed to work..Nisha..you are the Boss of this.
Thanks for the thoughtful review, Rachael! It’s great to hear many of Nisha’s recipes fit well with your lifestyle.
My big mistake: using the wrong kid of pasta. I used one of the new chickpea pastas, and it cooked ver2000000y quickly and turned to much in about seven minutes. Seriously — by the time I was doing final assembly, I was literally working with risotto or loose polenta. Still, I figured, the pasta is not the star of this show, so I forged onward. And I am so glad I did! I will be happily eating leftover gruel for the next three days because the FLAVOR in this dish is so amazing. And I totally forgot to add the feta and toasted walnuts add-in, so it will be even better next time. The recipe is a little confusing in places, and it took much longer than described, which only added to my pasta headache, as it meant that my drained and now-cooled pasta sat in the colander for way too long as I worked to catch up — and I had delayed putting the pasta in the water for a few steps after when the recipe suggests. Still, I bet that if I keep making this on a regular basis, it would be faster and easier. Let’s close on a high note: The flavor of this pasta sauce is amazing, and I can’t wait to make it again!
Hi Sparky, sorry to hear the chickpea pasta was a failure! But we’re glad you enjoyed the flavor of the recipe altogether. Hopefully next time you’ll get it just right! 🙂
Hi Maq, the quality of tahini you use makes a big difference on the final taste of the pasta. The recipe does have a bit of sweetener, but as this is a tahini pasta, if you’re not a big fan of tahini we wouldn’t recommend trying it.
Loved it. Perfect for me, love the textures and the lemony taste, just rich enough sauce. Very nice, going in my rotation
I think the stated nutritional values might be a bit off though! Unless they are for having it as a side? Not sure.
Hi Mazz, we are thrilled you loved the recipe! And the nutrition facts are per serving for 4 servings, but we will look into it again!