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Creamy Tahini Pasta with Lemon and Garlic Recipe

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4.3 from 3 reviews

This Creamy Tahini Pasta with Lemon and Garlic combines tender fettuccine with a rich, velvety tahini sauce infused with garlic, lemon, and nutritional yeast, topped with sautéed kale and an optional crispy tofu for added texture and protein. It’s a quick, flavorful, and vegan-friendly pasta dish perfect for a wholesome weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • ½ lb fettuccine (half a standard package, or pasta of choice)

Sauce & Vegetables

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 9 large cloves of garlic, minced (about ⅓ cup)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1-1 ½ cups)
  • 2 cups chopped kale (Tuscan or lacinato varieties recommended)
  • 1 tsp fine salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • ½ cup tahini paste
  • 1-2 tbsp pure maple syrup (to taste, or substitute agave nectar)
  • Juice and zest of ½ a lemon (to taste)
  • 1-2 cups reserved pasta water
  • 1-2 pinches red pepper flakes (highly recommended)
  • Salt (to taste)

Optional Protein

  • 1 recipe Thank You Berry Much’s Flavorful Crispy Tofu (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Tofu: Follow the Thank You Berry Much’s Flavorful Crispy Tofu recipe instructions to prepare the crispy tofu if using as a protein topping.
  2. Cook Pasta: Cook the fettuccine according to the package instructions. When draining, reserve about 2 cups of pasta water to use in the sauce.
  3. Prevent Sticking: If the pasta finishes before the sauce, toss it with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent it from sticking together.
  4. Sauté Aromatics: Heat a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the olive oil, diced onions, and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions become mostly translucent and fragrant.
  5. Add Kale: Stir in the chopped kale and cook until wilted and tender.
  6. Create Sauce: Add salt, black pepper, nutritional yeast, tahini paste, maple syrup, and lemon juice to the pot. Stir thoroughly until the tahini evenly coats the kale and forms a creamy mixture.
  7. Deglaze & Loosen Sauce: Pour in 1 cup of the reserved pasta water to deglaze the pot and loosen the tahini sauce, allowing it to become silky and smooth.
  8. Combine Pasta & Sauce: Reduce heat to low and add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Stir to coat the pasta thoroughly. Add more reserved pasta water as needed to achieve your preferred sauce consistency.
  9. Season & Serve: Finish by topping with red pepper flakes, additional salt to taste, and the crispy tofu if desired. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

  • Use kale varieties like Tuscan or lacinato for best texture and flavor.
  • Adjust maple syrup for sweetness according to taste preference.
  • Reserved pasta water helps to thin the sauce naturally and makes it silky.
  • Crispy tofu is optional but adds protein and a delightful crunch.
  • Red pepper flakes add a nice subtle heat, but adjust to your tolerance.

Find it online: https://yumntasty.com/creamy-tahini-pasta-with-lemon-and-garlic-recipe/