Description
Simple Tahini Noodles With Savory Garlic Broccoli is a quick and flavorful plant-based dish featuring tender noodles tossed in a creamy tahini sauce enriched with soy sauce and lemon juice. The broccoli is sautéed with garlic to provide a savory and aromatic complement to the rich sauce. This nutritious recipe is perfect for a wholesome weeknight meal and delivers a delicious balance of textures and flavors in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles
- 8 ounces noodles (spaghetti or rice noodles)
Vegetables
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 3-4 cloves garlic (minced)
Sauce & Seasoning
- 1/2 cup tahini (creamy sesame paste)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Noodles: Cook the noodles according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and reserve a cup of pasta water for later use.
- Prepare Broccoli: Rinse the broccoli florets under cold water and cut into bite-sized pieces, ensuring they are uniform for even cooking.
- Sauté Garlic: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook Broccoli: Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and sauté for 5-7 minutes until they are bright green and tender-crisp. Add reserved pasta water if the pan becomes too dry or to help steam the broccoli slightly.
- Prepare Tahini Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together tahini, soy sauce, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add some reserved pasta water incrementally to thin the sauce to a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Toss Noodles with Sauce: Add the drained noodles to the skillet with the broccoli, pour the tahini sauce over the top, and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Heat Through: Cook for an additional minute to heat everything through and allow flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Serve the tahini noodles warm. Optionally garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro, and sprinkle with sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency for a creamier texture.
- Use gluten-free noodles if gluten sensitivity is a concern.
- For added protein, toss in some tofu or chickpeas before serving.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to desired heat level.
- This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the freshness and texture of the broccoli.
