TAHINI-PARMESAN PASTA SALAD
Many traditional pasta salad recipes call for a heavy mayonnaise-based dressing, but this one combines tahini and Parmesan for a lighter, umami-packed dressing that can be used on noodles, salad greens, asparagus, grilled chicken or grains. Tahini and Parmesan may be a surprising duo, but they naturally work well together because tahini, which is made from sesame seeds, amplifies the cheese's rich, nutty flavor. To add even more complexity, cherry tomatoes are blistered in a skillet to concentrate their sweetness and acidity. As with any good pasta salad, this one benefits from adding fresh scallions and mint right before serving, plus toasted sesame seeds and shards of Parmesan.
Provided by Ali Slagle
Categories dinner, lunch, weekday, pastas, main course, side dish
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When the water's boiling, add the pasta and cook according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high. Add the tomatoes, season with salt, and cook, shaking occasionally, until charred and wrinkly, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl to cool.
- In a liquid measuring cup, stir together the tahini and grated Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. (Mixture will be thick.) When the pasta is drained, add 1/2 cup pasta water to the dressing and stir until smooth. Add the pasta to the bowl with the tomatoes, then stir in enough dressing to coat. (You won't use all of it just yet.) Let cool for 15 minutes or up to 3 hours at room temperature.
- When ready to eat, stir the rest of the dressing into the pasta. Stir in water (reserved pasta water or tap) as needed until the pasta is glossy and creamy. Stir in the mint, scallions, sesame seeds and chopped Parmesan, reserving a little for garnish if desired. Season to taste with salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.
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Isiphile Magaqa
[email protected]This salad is delicious! The tahini dressing is creamy and flavorful, and the parmesan adds a nice salty touch. The grilled vegetables are a great addition, and they give the salad a smoky flavor. I will definitely be making this salad again!
Varatha Thas
[email protected]This salad is perfect for a summer party or potluck. It's easy to make ahead of time, and it travels well. I also love that it's a healthier alternative to traditional pasta salads. The tahini dressing is much lighter than mayonnaise-based dressings,
khalil baloch
[email protected]This salad is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables. The grilled zucchini and corn are packed with nutrients, and the tahini dressing is a healthy alternative to mayonnaise-based dressings. This salad is a great option for a light lunch or
Hasam Ali
[email protected]This salad is delicious! The tahini dressing is creamy and flavorful, and the parmesan adds a nice salty touch. The grilled vegetables are a great addition, and they give the salad a smoky flavor. I will definitely be making this salad again!
Richard Hoorniet
[email protected]This salad is a great way to use up leftover pasta. I had some cooked penne on hand, and it worked perfectly in this salad. The tahini dressing is also very versatile. I used a little extra olive oil and lemon juice, and it turned out great. This sal
Butter Fly
[email protected]This salad is not for the faint of heart. The tahini dressing is bold and flavorful, and the parmesan adds a sharp salty touch. The grilled vegetables are a nice addition, but they don't do much to mellow out the flavors of the dressing and cheese. I
siddik hussain
[email protected]This salad is perfect for a summer party or potluck. It's easy to make ahead of time, and it travels well. I also love that it's a healthier alternative to traditional pasta salads. The tahini dressing is much lighter than mayonnaise-based dressings,
ranjit magar
[email protected]This salad is a great way to use up leftover grilled vegetables. I had some grilled zucchini and corn on hand, and they worked perfectly in this salad. The tahini dressing is also very versatile. I used a little extra lemon juice and garlic, and it t
Rehab Ali
[email protected]I'm not usually a fan of tahini, but I decided to give this recipe a try, and I'm so glad I did! The tahini dressing is surprisingly light and refreshing, and it pairs perfectly with the salty parmesan. The grilled vegetables add a nice crunch and fl
Kjw Force
[email protected]This is the best pasta salad I've ever had! The tahini dressing is creamy and flavorful, and the parmesan adds a nice salty touch. The grilled vegetables are a great addition, and they give the salad a smoky flavor. I will definitely be making this s
Jenieldo Slory
[email protected]I was skeptical about this recipe at first, but I'm so glad I tried it. The tahini and parmesan are a surprisingly delicious combination, and the salad is packed with fresh, summery flavors. I especially love the addition of the grilled corn and zucc
Chidimma Innocent
[email protected]This tahini parmesan pasta salad is a game-changer! It's so refreshing and flavorful, and the combination of tahini and parmesan is absolutely divine. I love that it's a no-cook recipe, so it's perfect for busy weeknights or hot summer days. I'll def