When you are craving a creamy, dreamy pasta dish, this easy 15-minute Sesame Tahini Pasta is perfect! It makes an easy weeknight meal, and leftovers are perfect for lunch. Give this recipe a try, and it is sure to make a regular appearance on your menu.
This easy sesame tahini pasta is perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
The no-cook sauce comes together while the pasta cooks, making this an easy 15-minute meal.
You are going to love the delicious flavors. One bite, and you will be hooked.
Ingredients for Making Sesame Noodles with Tahini
- Pasta: You can use any type of pasta for this recipe, including vermicelli, linguine, or rice noodles. You can use gluten-free pasta if you like.
- Tahini: You can find tahini in the international aisle of most grocery stores or near the nut butters.
- Soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari): Soy sauce adds an umami flavor to this dish. If you don't eat soy, coconut aminos are a good alternative.
- Hoisin sauce: Hoisin sauce is a sweet and savory sauce made from soybeans, garlic, chiles, and sugar. It's often used as a dipping sauce or marinade, adding a delicious flavor to this dish.
- Sesame oil: Sesame oil is made from toasted sesame seeds. It has a nutty flavor and is often used in Asian cooking. Here we use 2 tablespoons, which packs a lot of flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds a touch of acidity to this dish. You can also use rice vinegar or white wine vinegar.
- Fresh ginger: Ginger adds a slightly sweet and spicy flavor.
- Minced garlic: Garlic has a strong flavor, so start with one teaspoon and add more to taste. I love the punch garlic flavor, but you can adjust it to your liking.
- Hot sauce: We like to use Sriracha, but you can use any type of hot sauce you want.
- Sea salt and black pepper: We recommend using sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Scallions: Scallions are also known as green onions. They have a mild onion flavor and are an excellent garnish for this dish.
Tips & Tricks
- When cooking pasta, always save a bit of cooking water. It is a great way to adjust the consistency of your sauce.
- Tahini typically separates in the jar. Make sure you give it a good stir before measuring. If you buy the kind that comes in a packet, you can knead the packet before using it.
- You can use ½ teaspoon of ground ginger if you don't have fresh ginger. (But I urge you to use fresh ginger if you can.)
- If you want a little more heat, add an extra teaspoon (or three) of hot sauce.
- If you are making this ahead of time, a little olive oil will help keep the creamy tahini pasta moist.
- Feel free to add veggies to this Tahini Pasta Recipe. Broccoli and red pepper are great options.
- I typically whisk the sauce in a bowl, but you can blend it in a blender.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is delicious on its own, but you can also add your favorite protein.
Try serving it with grilled chicken (or chick’n), shrimp, roasted garbanzos, or tofu.
It's also great with a simple green salad or steamed veggies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tahini?
Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. It's a key ingredient in many Middle Eastern dishes, including hummus and baba ganoush.
Where is Tahini in the Grocery Store?
You can find it in the international aisle of most grocery stores. In some grocery stores, it is next to the nut butters.
What Type of Pasta is Good in This Recipe?
You can use any type of pasta for this recipe, including vermicelli, linguine, or rice noodles.
Alternative pastas also work great in this vegan pasta recipe. Some great options include lentil pasta, chickpea pasta, and quinoa pasta.
Storage
Store leftover creamy vegan tahini pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
You can serve leftovers cold, at room temperature (my favorite way), or warm.
Reheating
You can reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop. If reheating on the stovetop, add a little water or broth to thin out the sauce.
How to Make Tahini Noodles
First, start by cooking your pasta according to packing instructions.
Drain it, and reserve about ¼ cup of the cooking water. (I like to set a bowl in the sink under my strainer, so I don't forget.)
Then, whisk together all of the ingredients for the sauce: tahini, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, apple cider vinegar, ginger, garlic, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
Toss the pasta with the sauce until evenly coated. Add half of the scallions and toss again.
Serve warm or cold, topped with the remaining scallions. You can also sprinkle with sesame seeds and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
Sesame seeds also make a great garnish. Enjoy!
More Vegan Recipes to Try
- Looking for a side dish that everyone will love? It doesn’t get any better than this Instant Pot Potato Salad.
- Pumpkin Chia Pudding is a fabulous way to start the day and makes a filling snack.
- Chickpea Salad Sandwiches are crazy good - you will find yourself turing to this recipe again and again.
15-Minute Sesame Tahini Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces vermicelli linguine, or rice noodles
- ⅓ cup tahini
- ¼ cup soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic about 3 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 bunches scallions chopped
- For finishing: lemon zest lemon juice, Thai fresh basil, crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, and reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water. Transfer to a large bowl or return to the pot.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the tahini, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, apple cider vinegar, ginger, garlic, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Toss the tahini sauce with the pasta. Add half of the scallions and toss again.
- Serve warm or cold with the remaining scallions on top.
- Finish with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice, Thai basil, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
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