Tahini Pasta Salad
Updated May 17, 2026
This pasta salad is different than the usual mayo-packed ones. The tahini dressing adds so much flavor and puts a twist on a classic.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Jump to Section
Mediterranean-Style Pasta Salad
I love making all kinds of pasta salads, like Italian Pasta Salad and Chicken Pasta Salad, during the summer; and this Tahini Pasta Salad is a new one I’ve added to my rotation, and I think you should too! It’s fresh and creamy and full of flavor without feeling heavy from a mayo-based dressing. I make the tahini pasta salad with any short cut pasta, lost of fresh crunchy veggies, chickpeas and a tahini dressing that really makes the salad so unique!
Happy Cooking!
– Yumna
This recipe was part of our Monthly Cooking Challenge for June 2024!
Tahini Pasta Salad Ingredients
- Pasta: Rotini is great here because the spirals hold onto the thick tahini dressing well. Farfalle, penne, or elbows all work too. You can also use your favorite whole wheat or high protein pasta.
- Chickpeas: Use one 15-ounce can or if you’re using dried chickpeas, see how to cook chickpeas and use about 1¾ cups cooked chickpeas
- Vegetables: You can use your favorite vegetables here. I like making the tahini pasta salad with Persian cucumbers, green bell pepper, grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and fresh parsley.
- Tahini dressing: Tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, water, plain Greek yogurt, sumac, salt, and pepper. Make sure you use tahini that is only made from ground sesame seeds and doesn’t have any other ingredients. If you don’t have sumac, swap it with lemon zest or a pinch of lemon pepper.
How to Make Tahini Pasta Salad
Tahini Pasta Salad
Packed with fresh veggies, chickpeas, and healthy fats, this tahini pasta salad is delicious, filling, and easy to make!
Video
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas rinsed and drained
- 2 Persian cucumbers chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup pitted Kalamata olives roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
For the Dressing
- ¼ cup tahini
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 3 tablespoons water
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with salt and add pasta. Cook according to the package directions, then drain and set aside in a large bowl.
- Meanwhile in a small bowl or jar, make the dressing by whisking the tahini, lemon juice, and garlic until well combined. Gradually add water to the mixture until well blended. Stir in the greek yogurt, sumac, salt, and pepper, and continue to whisk until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Add the dressing to the cooked pasta, then top with the chickpeas, cucumbers, bell pepper, tomatoes, olives, and parsley. Toss until everything is combined and evenly coated in the dressing.
- Chill for 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to develop.
Equipment
Notes
Storage: Leftover tahini pasta salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to three days in the refrigerator, but it tastes best when it’s eaten the day you made it or the day after.
My Top Tip: Don’t rinse the pasta after draining. Unlike most cold pasta salads, skipping the rinse here is intentional, the starch on the surface helps the tahini dressing cling to the pasta.
Nutrition
Serving: 2cups, Calories: 178kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 0.3mg, Sodium: 222mg, Potassium: 309mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 669IU, Vitamin C: 24mg, Calcium: 38mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Recipe Variations
- Add grilled chicken. Slice 1 to 2 cooked grilled lemon chicken breasts and toss it with the tahini pasta salad to turn this into a full meal.
- Add artichoke hearts. Roughly chop ½ cup of marinated artichoke hearts and toss them in, they go well with the tahini dressing and add a tangy, meaty element.
- Swap the vegetables by season. Lightly steamed asparagus and diced red pepper work well in spring; roasted butternut squash and shredded kale make a good fall version.
Recipe Tips
- Salt the pasta water generously. This is the only chance to season the pasta itself. Under-seasoned pasta will taste flat even with a well-made dressing.
- Don’t rinse the pasta after draining. Unlike most cold pasta salads, skipping the rinse here is intentional, the starch on the surface helps the tahini dressing cling to the rotini.
- Whisk the dressing in stages. Mix the tahini, lemon juice, and garlic first, then add the water gradually. Tahini can seize up if the water is added all at once, so take it slow and whisk until smooth before adding the yogurt.
- Chill before serving. Give the salad at least an hour in the fridge. The dressing absorbs into the pasta and the flavors come together much better once it’s had time to sit.
- Make ahead with the dressing separate. If making more than a day ahead, store the dressing separately and toss it with the salad a few hours before serving for the best texture.
Serving Ideas
- Chicken: This salad works well alongside grilled or roasted chicken. Try Parmesan Almond-Crusted Chicken or Grilled Lemon Chicken.
- Vegetarian protein:Air Fryer Falafel or Air Fryer Tofu both pair naturally with the tahini dressing.
- Bread: Homemade Pita Bread on the side makes it feel more like a full Mediterranean spread.
Comments
I just LOVED this recipe! It is an unexpected flavor for pasta, but totally worth it. I switched bell peppers for artichokes, and it worked out perfectly. Will be making it again!!
Yay, so glad you liked it!! Love the artichoke swap—that sounds so good! Thank you so much, Sandra!
I love it!!! It’s a perfect pasta salad. I did it for my grilled chicken, is super delicious, fresh & balanced flavors!
Yay! So happy you liked it, Dolly!
It looks so yummy and filling at the same time!
Thanks, Alice! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
This is an an incredible pasta salad. The tahini recipe cannot be beat. The flavors are balanced and I crave it when I’ve eaten it all! I’m wanting to add artichoke hearts but not sure if it would throw off the balance of salt.
Oooh yum, I think artichoke hearts would be so good in this salad! I would mix them in before adding salt and then see if it needs more. Let me know how it turns out!!
This recipe is truly divine! Perfect for the Summer!
Yay, I’m so happy you think so! Thanks, Chloe!!
Obsessed with this
Yay, I’m so glad!
I just tried this recipe any my whole family loved it!
Yay, so happy your family enjoyed!!
I love this salad! I add some feta and onions! It’s a hit in our family!
Yum, love the addition of feta and onions! So glad it’s a hit!!
I just tried this recipe. It honestly tastes like heaven!
Aww so glad you liked it, Perla! Thank you!!
Love this pasta salad! So nice to have something new and different and the dressing really is delicious!
Yay, I’m so happy you liked it!!
What an easy salad to make. And very tasty too. Light, lots of veggie and fruit (tomatoes I guess). Next time I make it I will probably do a bit more lemon or adjust the sauce a little bit to taste. I like a little more kick in seasoning. Just a personal preference.
Thanks for the feedback, Angie! I’m glad you liked the pasta salad and hope you’ll make it again with your tweaks, they sound great!
Another pasta/salad that was a hit! Tahini and sumac combo were delicious together! I enjoyed it so much, kept me full through the day!
Yay, that’s amazing!! So happy you liked it!
Made it for dinner tonight. Skipped the chickpeas and my husband and I loved the salad.
So glad you and your husband loved it!
Delicious and easy to make!! Love that it’s heart healthy too!
Yay, me too!! Thanks, Sarah!
This recipe did not disappoint! I love Mediterranean flavors and this pasta salad was the perfect balance of freshness and richness from the tahini. I’ll definitely be making this on repeat!
Aww, so glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks, Ashley!
This pasta salad was delicious!! So flavorful and full of veggies! The dressing is super creamy and is the perfect finishing touch for the salad too! I love having pasta salads for lunch in the summer and this one was definitely one of my favorites!
Yay, so glad you liked it! I love pasta salads as summer lunches too!
I’ll be adding this to the summer salad rotation. It’s so simple to make and the dressing is delicious. I think it would work great on its own for a veggie and pita chip dip!
So happy you liked the pasta salad, Heidi! Oooh, I love the idea of using the dressing as a dip. I will have to try that myself, thank you for the idea!!
Made this today! It is hot here (Florida) and we needed a refreshing side for bbq meals. I’m elated to have a way to make pasta salad without mayo. My store didn’t have sumac so I used coriander. Skipped the olives, added matchstick carrots and a smidge of feta cheese.
Thanks for this!
Yay, so glad you liked it!! It’s the perfect cold side salad for hot summer days. Love the tweaks you made!
I was looking for a new summer pasta salad recipe and this is it! I used yellow pepper and multi colored tomatoes because it’s what I had on hand. I love the dressing! Can’t wait to make it again.
Oooh yum, sounds so fresh and colorful!! So glad you liked it—thanks, Kristi!
I prepared this delightful tahini pasta salad! The entire family loved it. I particularly enjoyed the tahini sauce. Many thanks to Yumna! 🌟
Yay, so happy you and your family loved it!! I love the tahini dressing too—thanks, Shadi!
So light and refreshing. The dressing mixed with the veggies and pasta really mesh well together! This will definitely be on the list for dishes this summer!
Thanks, Rana! I hope you enjoy this pasta salad all summer long!!
Yumna, it’s a hit!!! I made your tahini pasta salad! I shared my pictures and people are yelling at me to share your recipe! I thought it was supposed to chill for a bit but honestly I couldn’t put it away. Lol I kept tasting it to see if it got better yet!!🥰💋💕 Forever grateful, Jan
Awww, I’m so happy to hear that!! Thanks so much, Jan!
This was so delicious! I didn’t have sumac so I substitute ground coriander and it was still so good! I’ll have to try it again with sumac. The veggies gave a nice crunch and the sauce was super creamy. It was my first time using tahini as well and I was pleasantly surprised. This was a refreshing alternative to the run-of-the-mill pasta salads I’m so used to. I can’t wait to try more recipes!
Aww, thank you! So happy you liked this pasta salad and I love that it was your first time trying tahini! I have so many tahini recipes on the site, I hope you’ll try some out!!
Love a good pasta salad and this one sure screams summer! Love the dressing and I shared it with others who all asked for the recipe. 10/10 recommend
Yes, it does!! I love this pasta salad in the summer, it really hits the spot! Thanks, Patricia—so happy you and your friends liked the recipe!!
I love a cold pasta salad and this tahini pasta salad hit the spot!!! I swapped out basil for parsley and added artichokes. Yum!
Thanks, Noreen! Yum, love the tweaks you made—sounds so good!!
I absolutely loved the dressing! The sumac made it so flavorful.
Yay, I’m so happy to hear you liked it!! Thanks, Rochelle!
This was an amazing pasta and I love the way the tahini sauce complements the vegetables. I absolutely love this recipe and I will make it over and over again.
Aww, thank you! So happy to hear you liked it!!
Delicious! Made this for a late mother’s day lunch and everyone loved it. I didn’t have sumac but had all the other ingredients and still tasted great! I love tahini so always looking for new ways to use it. I’ll definitely be making this again (great for a potluck)! So easy to make and packed with flavour.
Yay, so happy you enjoyed it!! This pasta salad is perfect for a Mother’s Day lunch. Thanks for sharing, Stephanie!
This dressing is so good! (I wonder what other recipes I could use it in…) The tahini and the sumac, which I wouldn’t have thought to use, work so well together. The rest of the ingredients work really well together too, and this dish is just the thing for picnic season. The recipe made so much food that I’ll be able to use it for a picnic if I’d like to. The only thing missing was some heat, so I solved that by adding a ton of Aleppo pepper flakes! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!
Thanks, Alina! I agree, the tahini and sumac work beautifully together in this dressing. Pepper flakes are perfect for adding some heat too—sounds delicious!!
Delicious dressing with tahini adding the tasty creamy quality without using mayonnaise. Orzo pasta is what I used and loved it!
Yum, orzo pasta sounds so good! So happy you enjoyed it, Kathy!!
I found the perfect recipe for a lazy Saturday! This Tahini Pasta Salad its a must try, the best part? It’s incredibly easy to make and customize to your taste. I added some corn instead of the Chickpeas. The recipe is also very versatile, so feel free to get creative with your favorite ingredients!
Overall, this Tahini Pasta Salad is a must-try for anyone looking for a healthy, delicious, and satisfying meal. 5 stars and a big thumbs up from me!
Yay, so happy you enjoyed it!! I agree—it’s so versatile and easy to throw together with whatever you have available in your kitchen. Thanks so much, Alma!!
This salad is amazing! My kids purchased your book for my Mother’s Day present but due to a trip and an illness, I haven’t yet received it. I made this today to bridge the gap and I’m so glad I did.
The vegetables are crisp and fresh. The dressing is both tangy and earthy and so good! I can’t wait to try more!
Aww, what a sweet present from your kids!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this salad and am so excited for you to try out the recipes from my cookbook. Thanks, Laura!!
Don’t care for chickpeas,is there a substitute you can recommend.
You could swap for any bean you prefer.
Any thought on How can you make this dairy free?
Hi Carol! Sure, you can just omit the yogurt. Hope you enjoy it!