Tahini Caesar Pasta Salad
This Tahini Caesar Pasta Salad is a bold, creamy, plant-based twist on the classic Caesar. Made with a rich tahini dressing, tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and crunchy roasted chickpeas, it is a healthy and satisfying cold pasta salad perfect for meal prep or entertaining.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 430kcal
Equipment
- large pot
- baking tray
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- colander
- knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 300 g fusilli or penne pasta
- 400 g canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1.5 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp cumin
- 0.33 cup tahini
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 0.5 tsp maple syrup
- warm water (as needed)
- 200 g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.5 English cucumber, sliced
- 2 romaine hearts, chopped
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220°C. Toss dried chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and salt. Roast for 25–30 minutes until crispy, then cool.
- In a bowl, whisk tahini, lemon juice, zest, olive oil, Dijon, garlic, Worcestershire or soy sauce, nutritional yeast, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Add warm water gradually to reach a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool.
- Prepare vegetables by halving tomatoes, slicing cucumber, and chopping romaine.
- Combine pasta, tomatoes, and cucumber in a large bowl. Add most of the dressing and toss well to coat.
- Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
- Before serving, add romaine, remaining dressing, and toss gently. Top with crispy chickpeas and adjust seasoning.
Notes
Always stir tahini thoroughly before using for a smooth dressing. Adjust consistency with warm water as needed. Add crispy chickpeas just before serving to maintain crunch. Store dressing separately if meal prepping for best texture.