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    Home » Recipes » 30 Minute Meals

    Easy Tahini Pasta

    Published: May 1, 2023 · Modified: Jun 9, 2025 by Jo Keohane · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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    If you love tahini, have you tried Easy Tahini Pasta? Flavored with creamy tahini lemon sauce, it's a perfect fast meal for busy weeknights. Ready in minutes and a great alternative to traditional pasta sauces, it's also vegan and dairy free. 

    a pink bowl filled with spaghetti coated in a creamy tahini pasta sauce and garnished with freshly chopped parsley

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    I'm always on the look out for recipes with tahini sauce, and this 5 ingredient creamy tahini sauce really fits the bill. It's a great way to use up leftover tahini. 

    In fact the recipe came about when I was thinking "what can I do with a jar of leftover tahini?" It resulted in this delicious lemon tahini pasta sauce.

    If you haven't tried this easy meal yet, you won't be disappointed. The tahini pasta sauce is unbelievably creamy with a subtle nutty flavor, zesty lemon, and a burst of freshly chopped parsley to serve!

    The recipe is super healthy - almost reminiscent of al Fredo or carbonara but without the cream. This makes this vegan tahini pasta ideal for anyone following a dairy and/or plant based diet.

    Why You'll Love This Tahini Pasta

    • The 5 ingredient pasta sauce is a great way of using up a jar of leftover tahini paste.
    • Prep time is minimal, it uses only simple ingredients and you can have a delicious bowl of lemon tahini pasta on the table in less than 20 minutes on busy nights. 
    • The creamy vegan pasta sauce is a hit with kids and adults alike.
    • It has a wonderful rich texture and a great umami flavor. 
    • Vegan tahini pasta is suitable for anyone following a dairy free diet.
    • Try some of my favorite easy pasta recipes:
      • Lemon Ricotta Pasta
      • Spicy Harissa and Italian Sausage Pasta
      • Pancetta & Mushroom Pasta
      • Pancetta, Pea & Mint Pasta
      • Smoked Salmon Creme Fraiche Pasta
      • Baked Feta Pasta
      • Creamy Mushroom Pasta
    close up image of cooked spaghetti coated in a tahini pasta sauce

    Tahini Pasta Ingredients

    Find the full list and quantities in the recipe card below.

    Pasta - I've used spaghetti, but you can use any other type of pasta noodle. 

    Tahini - I've used a light tahini paste to make the tahini pasta sauce. If you prefer a more intense sesame seed flavor then you can use dark tahini. 

    Garlic - I use fresh garlic, but you can use garlic puree in a pinch. 

    Lemon - for flavor I prefer to use freshly squeezed lemon juice, but you can use bottled lemon juice. 

    How to Make this Creamy Tahini Pasta Recipe - Step-By-Step

    Find the full printable recipe below. 

    Cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions in lots of well salted water.

    Meanwhile mix together the tahini, garlic, fresh lemon juice and salt in a large bowl.

    white bowl filled with lemon tahini pasta sauce

    Carefully remove 1 cup of the pasta water and add to the tahini until the tahini sauce forms a creamy paste.

    Drain the pasta, reserving another ½ cup of the cooking water.

    Stir the pasta into the sauce. Add a splash or two of the reserved cooking water if needed to loosen the sauce.

    white bowl filled with cooked pasta and lemon tahini pasta sauce poured over

    Taste and season as needed. Scatter with chopped fresh parsley (if using).

    Serve immediately.

    a pink bowl filled with spaghetti coated in a creamy tahini pasta sauce and garnished with freshly chopped parsley

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is tahini?

    Tahini is a paste made from toasted ground sesame seeds that is both vegan and gluten free. Tahini is a popular ingredient used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking.

    You can get both light and dark tahini paste. Light has the husks removed from the seeds, whereas dark tahini paste contains the husk too.

    Where can you buy tahini?

    Most supermarkets and stores now carry tahini, but you can find it in specialty stores, health food stores, and delicatessens too.

    Which brands of tahini do you recommend?

    Trader Joe has an excellent and inexpensive tahini if you're lucky enough to have one nearby. Joyva is another popular and good quality brand.

    If you are in the UK, Belazi, Meridian and Sunita produce good quality tahini at a reasonable price.

    How should I store tahini?

    Tahini is best stored in a cool dry place, ideally a store cupboard or pantry. If you like your tahini a little thicker, you can store it in the refrigerator once opened. It will store longer in the refrigerator - for around 5-6 months after opening.

    Can you freeze tahini?

    Yes, you can freeze tahini in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 12 months.

    close up image spaghetti coated in a creamy tahini pasta sauce and garnished with freshly chopped parsley

    Variations & Substitutions for This Easy Weeknight Dinner

    • I've used spaghetti, but you can use any variety of pasta noodle.
    • For a more intense sesame flavor, swap light tahini paste, for dark tahini.
    • Add extra veggies, stir through some fresh spinach or kale, or a handful of frozen green peas.
    • Sautéed veggies like chopped up zucchini and broccoli are also a good option.
    • Cherry tomatoes, bell peppers and fresh basil all go wonderfully with this Mediterranean dish. 
    • Ramp up the heat with some red pepper flakes.

    Can you make this easy recipe Gluten Free?

    Yes, it's easy to make a gluten free tahini pasta. There are lots of gluten-free pasta options out there. Lentil pasta, chickpea pasta or quinoa pasta are great alternatives.

    Tips & Tricks For Making Tahini Pasta

    • This creamy pasta does need careful seasoning, so taste the tahini pasta sauce before serving and if necessary, adjust the seasoning. It really won't taste right without enough salt.
    • Make sure your tahini is at room temperature before you start cooking this recipe. It hardens a lot in the fridge, which will make it harder to get a creamy texture. 
    • Make sure to use your reserved starchy pasta water, which is the key to this recipe. It will thicken the sauce and gives it a wonderful silky texture, as well as helping to coat the pasta in the sauce.

    How To Serve Creamy Lemon Tahini Pasta

    This is a light, creamy and zesty bowl of pasta, so I like to keep any sides dishes simple too, so as not to overpower the dish.

    A dressed arugula salad or some sautéed green beans are my usual go-to options. You can also add some garlic or crusty bread with a drizzle of olive oil if you are especially hungry.

    Pin This Easy Tahini Pasta Recipe For Later

    a pinnable image with recipe title and a pink bowl filled with spaghetti coated in a creamy tahini pasta sauce and garnished with freshly chopped parsley

    What Do You Think?!

    I'd love to know what you think about this recipe! I'd be so grateful if you scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave a star rating and comment.

    Don't forget to go over to Facebook and Instagram and make sure you're following me so you can join in the chat. And remember to save this recipe to your Pinterest too!

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    More Easy Under 30 Minute Recipe Ideas

    • Easy Chicken Alexander Recipe with Mushrooms & Bell Peppers
    • Easy Marry Me Chicken Pasta
    • Easy Harissa Pasta with Italian Sausage
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    Printable Recipe

    Easy Tahini Pasta

    If you love tahini, have you tried Easy Tahini Pasta? Flavored with creamy tahini lemon sauce, it's a perfect fast meal for busy weeknights. Ready in minutes and a great alternative to traditional pasta sauces, it's also vegan and dairy free. 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Share Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 781 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 lb Spaghetti - or other pasta of your choice
    • 1 cup Tahini
    • 1 clove Garlic - finely grated
    • ½ Lemon - juice only
    • 1 tsp Sea Salt
    • 1½ cup Reserved Pasta Cooking Water
    • 1 tbsp Chopped Parsley - optional

    Instructions
     

    • Bring a large pot of water to the boil, salt generously and add the spaghetti. Cook the pasta until al dente according to packet instructions.
    • Whilst the pasta cooks, mix together the tahini, garlic, fresh lemon juice and salt in a large bowl.
    • Carefully remove 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and add to the tahini until the tahini sauce forms a creamy paste.
    • Drain the pasta, reserving another ½ cup of the cooking water.
    • Stir the pasta into the sauce. Add a splash or two of the reserved cooking water if needed to loosen the sauce.
    • Taste and season as needed. Scatter with chopped fresh parsley (if using)
    • Serve immediately.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 781kcalCarbohydrates: 99gProtein: 25gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 15gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gSodium: 610mgPotassium: 556mgFiber: 7gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 127IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 115mgIron: 4mg
    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be taken as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and the Family Food Kitchen can't guarantee the accuracy of this information.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jane Jackson says

      October 12, 2023 at 12:14 pm

      5 stars
      Really straightforward to make and delicious.

      Reply
      • Jo Keohane says

        October 16, 2023 at 9:01 am

        Thanks Jane! So happy you found this one easy and good.

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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