Can I make this for meal prep?

Yes! Store leftovers in individual small containers to use for on the go lunches. Just note, as the pasta sits in the fridge it will absorb the liquid of the sauce. To loosen up the tahini pasta sauce, just add a splash of water, reheat and give it a good mix before enjoying.

How do I make this higher in protein?

While pasta does contain 8 grams of protein per serving, to make this pasta dish more satisfying, I recommend pairing it with your favorite protein and fiber-rich veggies. You can also sprinkle on some more nutritional yeast or some hemp hearts on top for an extra boost. Another option, use a bean based pasta (chickpea or lentil) to make this dish even higher in protein!

How do you properly store tahini pasta?

Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container. Place the pasta in the fridge and it should last up to 5 days in the fridge . You can loosen up the sauce by adding a splash of water then reheat it.

Can this be made gluten-free?

So many ways to make this gluten-free. Use your favorite gluten-free pasta, which can be rice, corn or quinoa based. I am also a big fan of bean based pastas as they add even more fiber and protein to your meal.

How do I make this soy-free?

The miso paste in this dish is completely optional. It does add some extra umami flavor to help make up for the fact we aren’t using cream or cheese in the sauce. Just adjust the flavor of the sauce to your liking by adding a little extra nutritional yeast or some grated garlic.

Tahini Pasta - Plant Based RD

Name: Tahini Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/3 cup good quality tahini; 2 tbsp nutritional yeast, optional; 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 tsp yellow or white miso paste, optional; Juice and zest of one medium lemon; 1 tsp maple syrup; Salt and Pepper; 1/4 cup ice water to thin; 1 lb pasta, I used rigatoni; 1 shallot, sliced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 bunch of kale, stems removed; 1 cup reserved pasta water; 1/4 cup parsley, minced; 1/4 cup Basil leaves, sliced

Description

This rich and creamy Tahini Pasta combines simple ingredients like garlic, lemon and fresh herbs to make the ultimate comfort meal ready in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Tahini Pasta Sauce

1/3 cup good quality tahini
2 tbsp nutritional yeast, optional
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp yellow or white miso paste, optional
Juice and zest of one medium lemon
1 tsp maple syrup
Salt and Pepper
1/4 cup ice water to thin

Assemble

1 lb pasta, I used rigatoni
1 shallot, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch of kale, stems removed
1 cup reserved pasta water
1/4 cup parsley, minced
1/4 cup Basil leaves, sliced

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Instructions

Tahini Sauce: Mix the tahini, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, nutritional yeast, Italian seasoning, miso paste, lemon, maple syrup, and a good pinch of salt and pepper together until it starts to thicken. Slowly pour in the the iced cold water and whisk until no lumps remain in the sauce.
Pasta: Bring a pot of water to a boil and generously salt it. Once boiling add the pasta and cook according to package. Reserve some pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Assemble: To a large skillet heat the remaining olive oil then sauté your shallots until softened. Stir in the garlic and continue sauteing until fragrant. Add the kale and sauté until it has wilted. To the pan, add in the warm pasta, the tahini sauce and the reserved pasta water. Give the pasta a good mix to coat. Top with some minced parsley, fresh basil leaves, fresh cracked black pepper and salt and extra lemon zest before serving.

Notes

Make sure to use good quality tahini. Can’t emphasize this enough! Use brands you love to prepare your sauce. I love to use Soom Foods because it is beautifully smooth and does not have the strong bitter notes as other tahini brands may have.

Use ice cold water to thin out your sauce. When cold water touches tahini, it causes it to fluff up and become creamier when mixed together.

Slowly add the water. Don’t add it all at once. Spoon it in a tablespoon at a time until the mixture is at the right creaminess. Remember, once you add it in you can’t take it out.

Don’t forget to salt your pasta water. This will infuse more flavor into the pasta and some of the pasta water will be used to thicken and flavor the sauce.

Keywords: tahini pasta, lemon tahini pasta, tahini pasta sauce