TAHINI-PARMESAN PASTA SALAD

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Tahini-Parmesan Pasta Salad image

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

Kosher salt and black pepper
1 pound ridged or curly pasta, such as fusilli or gemelli
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes (about 1 1/4 pounds)
1/3 cup tahini
3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus 1/4 cup chopped or shaved
1/2 cup packed mint leaves, torn if large
3 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

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.

anime shinobi
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This pasta salad is a great summer dish. It's light and refreshing, and the flavors are perfect for a warm day. I love to make it with fresh tomatoes and basil from my garden.


Kurlus Osman Fan's
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I love this pasta salad! It's so easy to make and it's always a hit. I've made it for potlucks, picnics, and even just for a quick lunch at home. It's always a crowd-pleaser.


Jacinta Wari
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This pasta salad is a great make-ahead dish. I made it the night before a party and it was even better the next day. The flavors had time to meld together and the salad was even more flavorful.


Gaming With Amit
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I made this pasta salad for a potluck and it was a huge success! Everyone loved the unique flavor combination and the creamy dressing. I will definitely be making this salad again for my next potluck.


Melvin Hilliard
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This pasta salad is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. My kids loved the colorful roasted vegetables and the flavorful dressing. I will definitely be making this salad again soon!


Abdullahi Haladu
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I made this pasta salad for a picnic and it was a hit! It was easy to transport and everyone loved the unique flavor combination. I will definitely be making this salad again for my next picnic.


LEYAN A Almkashher
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This pasta salad is a great way to use up leftover chicken. I made it with some leftover roasted chicken and it was delicious. The chicken added a nice protein boost to the salad and it was even more flavorful the next day.


TG_delete
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I'm not a vegetarian, but I love this pasta salad. The roasted vegetables are so flavorful and the tahini dressing is creamy and delicious. I highly recommend this salad, even if you're not a vegetarian.


Sachin Nepali
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This pasta salad is a great summer dish. It's light and refreshing, and the flavors are perfect for a warm day. I love to make it with fresh tomatoes and basil from my garden.


Nathalie Pineiro
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I love this pasta salad! It's so easy to make and it's always a hit. I've made it for potlucks, picnics, and even just for a quick lunch at home. It's always a crowd-pleaser.


Shoaib khalid
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This pasta salad is a great make-ahead dish. I made it the night before a party and it was even better the next day. The flavors had time to meld together and the salad was even more flavorful.


Jp Visser
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I made this pasta salad for a party and it was a huge success! Everyone loved the unique flavor combination and the creamy dressing. I will definitely be making this salad again for my next party.


Hunter Earwood
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This pasta salad is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. My kids loved the colorful roasted vegetables and the flavorful dressing. I will definitely be making this salad again soon!


Lekside Ak
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I'm not usually a fan of tahini, but I really enjoyed this pasta salad. The dressing is creamy and flavorful and the parmesan cheese adds a nice salty touch. I will definitely be making this again!


Sameer Sameer bhatti
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This pasta salad is a great way to use up leftover pasta. I had some leftover spaghetti and decided to try this recipe. It turned out great! The dressing is light and flavorful and the salad is very refreshing.


Ahmed Zuleyhaa
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I've made this pasta salad several times now and it's always a crowd-pleaser. The dressing is so flavorful and the combination of tahini and parmesan cheese is perfect. I highly recommend this recipe!


Rubel gaming
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This is a great recipe for a quick and easy weeknight meal. I used whole wheat pasta and added some grilled chicken to make it a more substantial dish. It was delicious and my family loved it!


Big Lew
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I made this pasta salad for a potluck and it was a hit! Everyone loved the unique flavor combination. I especially liked the addition of roasted red peppers, which added a touch of sweetness and smokiness to the dish.


Salley Sandugu ali
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This tahini parmesan pasta salad is a delightful dish that combines the nutty flavor of tahini with the savory taste of parmesan cheese. The pasta is cooked to al dente perfection and tossed with a dressing made with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and