Creamy Harissa Tahini Pasta

Want to save this post?

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I’ll send you budget recipes and money-saving tips every week!

❤️ Why you’ll love it

I absolutely love how this harissa tahini pasta is both creamy and rich, thanks to the tahini and harissa paste. The combination of these two ingredients not only creates a lusciously smooth sauce but also adds a mildly spicy and incredibly flavorful element to the dish.

What makes this recipe even better is that it is quick and easy to make. The simple process of boiling the pasta while preparing the sauce and sautéeing the vegetables makes it a perfect option for a busy weeknight.

The best part is that the result is a restaurant-quality dish that is not only delicious but also completely vegan. The flavors are truly irresistible.

🧾 Key ingredients

This harissa tahini pasta is a fusion of flavors, and the ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store. You may even have some of them in your pantry already.

Harissa is a key ingredient in this recipe. It adds a spicy, smoky flavor that is characteristic of North African cuisine. When combined with the creamy tahini, it creates a rich and flavorful sauce.

Fresh lemon juice and zest are important in this recipe. They add a bright, citrusy flavor that balances the richness of the sauce. The zest is optional, but I highly recommend it for an extra pop of flavor.

Asparagus and spinach add a pop of color and a fresh, crisp texture that complements the creamy pasta.

🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

🥘 Equipment

To make this harissa tahini pasta, the most important piece of equipment you will need is a good quality cast-iron skillet. Its ability to distribute heat evenly ensures that the vegetables are perfectly cooked and that the pasta is well coated with the delicious harissa tahini sauce.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Preparing the ingredients

STEP 1
Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it according to the instructions on the packet. Reserve some of the pasta water for later use.

STEP 2
While the pasta is cooking, wash the spinach leaves. If you are using baby spinach leaves, they do not need to be chopped. However, if you are using larger spinach leaves, chop them into smaller pieces.

STEP 3
Rinse the asparagus and snap off the tough, woody ends. If the ends still feel too thick after snapping, peel the bottom inch or two with a vegetable peeler. Cut the asparagus into pieces that are about two inches long.

STEP 4
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the spicy harissa paste, tahini, lemon juice, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder to make the harissa tahini sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little water to reach the desired consistency. It should be more like a sauce and not a paste.

Making the harissa tahini pasta

STEP 1
Heat a cast-iron skillet on the stove to medium heat and add some oil. Add the asparagus pieces to the skillet, sprinkle them with a bit of salt and black pepper, and cook them for about ten minutes.

STEP 2
Lower the heat and add the spinach to the skillet. Stir well to combine the spinach with the asparagus and cook for an additional one to two minutes, or until the spinach leaves have wilt.

STEP 3
Remove the skillet from the heat and add the cooked pasta to the vegetables. Stir well to combine.

STEP 4
Now add the harissa tahini sauce to the skillet and mix it well with the pasta and vegetables. If the sauce is too thick, you can loosen it with a couple of tablespoons of the reserved pasta water. Your harissa tahini pasta is now ready to enjoy.

💡 Expert tip

For the best flavors, make sure not to overcook the sauce. Before adding the sauce to the pasta and the fried veggies, remove the skillet from the heat. Tahini as well as other types of nut butter tend to thicken when they are heated.

🔄 Variations

For a protein-packed pasta, consider adding chickpeas or edamame to the dish. They will not only provide a good source of plant-based protein but also add a nice texture and flavor contrast to the pasta.

If you are a fan of heat, why not spice things up even more? You can add a teaspoon of chili flakes to the harissa tahini sauce. This will give your dish an extra kick without overpowering the other flavors.

You can also add other veggies such as broccoli, bell peppers, or any other vegetable you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly to make sure they are cooked to your liking.

🥣 Serving ideas

This harissa tahini pasta is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It is a perfect main course for a family dinner or a casual lunch with friends.

You can also serve it as a side dish alongside your favorite main course. It goes particularly well with grilled vegetables, tofu, or tempeh.

It is also a great option for a potluck or picnic. It can be served cold or at room temperature, making it a convenient and delicious option for outdoor dining.

You can also customize this dish with your favorite toppings. Lightly roasted cherry tomatoes, red peppers, sautéed mushrooms, or even vegan bacon bites are all excellent options.

❄️ Storing tips

Storing and reheating this harissa tahini pasta is a simple process that can help maintain its delicious flavors.

To store, allow the pasta to cool completely. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for about 1-2 days. Keep in mind that the pasta will continue to absorb the sauce as it sits, which will make it drier by day 2.

I do not recommend freezing this dish. The creamy nature of the tahini-based sauce may not hold up well to freezing and thawing, resulting in a less-than-desirable texture upon reheating.

You can reheat pasta on the stovetop. Add a splash of water or plant-based milk to the pan to help reconstitute, and then gently heat the pasta, stirring regularly, until it is heated through.

🤔 FAQs

More vegan pasta recipes

You can browse through our vegan sauce recipes that can be used on any type of pasta or try one of these recipes below:

THANK YOU so much for visiting our website. Please comment below if you have tried this recipe. We LOVE hearing from you! If you loved the recipe, please don’t forget to give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ RATING. We appreciate all of our readers.