Craving a pasta dish that's creamy, nutritious, and bursting with flavor? Get ready to revolutionize your weeknight dinner with this mind-blowing Creamy Tahini Broccoli Pasta that'll make your taste buds dance and your body thank you! In just 25 minutes, you'll transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal that's both incredibly delicious and surprisingly easy to prepare. Whether you're a busy professional, a health-conscious foodie, or just someone who loves a quick and satisfying meal, this recipe is about to become your new obsession.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cloves garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the 8 oz of pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the broccoli. Rinse the 2 cups of broccoli florets under cold water and chop them into bite-sized pieces if they are large.
- In the last 3-4 minutes of the pasta cooking time, add the broccoli florets to the pot. This will blanch the broccoli, cooking it just enough to become tender but still vibrant in color.
- Once the pasta and broccoli are cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander.
- In a medium bowl, combine the 1/4 cup of tahini and 1/4 cup of water. Whisk together until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, you can add more water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Next, mince the 2 cloves of garlic and add them to the tahini mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If you enjoy a bit of heat, feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes at this stage.
- In the same pot used for cooking the pasta, return the drained pasta and broccoli. Pour the tahini sauce over the pasta and broccoli, tossing everything together until well combined. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta cooking water until the sauce reaches your desired creaminess.
- Once everything is well mixed, taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired.
- Serve the creamy tahini broccoli pasta warm, garnished with extra red pepper flakes or a drizzle of olive oil if desired. Enjoy your meal!
Tips
- Pasta Perfection: Always salt your pasta water generously - it's the secret to flavorful pasta from the inside out.
- Broccoli Timing: Adding broccoli during the last 3-4 minutes of pasta cooking ensures it stays bright green and retains its nutrients and crisp texture.
- Tahini Sauce Consistency: If your tahini sauce is too thick, don't panic! Gradually add reserved pasta water to achieve that dreamy, silky consistency.
- Garlic Hack: For a milder garlic flavor, briefly sauté the minced garlic in a little olive oil before mixing into the tahini sauce.
- Customization Options: - Add protein by mixing in grilled chicken or tofu - Sprinkle with nutritional yeast for a cheesy vegan twist - Top with toasted pine nuts or sesame seeds for extra crunch
- Make-Ahead Tip: This pasta tastes great even the next day, so don't be afraid to make extra for quick lunches!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
