Quick Hummus Pasta with Veggies

Why We Love This Recipe

• Naturally vegan: Because of the creaminess of the hummus, the hummus pasta sauce in this recipe mimics an alfredo-type sauce, without any of the dairy. Best of all, it still tastes great and has that amazing creamy texture. We love a creamy pasta sauce, like our Tahini Pasta, Creamy Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Pasta, or our Vegan Mushroom Alfredo, but this hummus pasta is the easiest of all!
• Balanced recipe: This easy and quick hummus pasta has plenty of vegetables, fiber, plant-based protein and carbohydrates for a balanced lunch or dinner. You can also easily add more protein with a topping.
• You can cook the veggies, set them aside, and then cook the pasta in the same pot. Making this recipe in one pot helps to cut down on dishes and simplifies the cooking process.
• Customizable: We included vegetables and pine nuts to make this hummus pasta a bit more filling, but you can make your pasta however you like. You could try using zucchini noodles, nutritional yeast, cheese, some extra lemon juice, or even red pepper hummus.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this hummus pasta:

Ingredient Notes

• Hummus: You can use your favorite hummus here. Regular hummus, roasted red pepper hummus, sun dried tomato hummus, or garlic hummus would all work in this recipe. Just be sure to taste as you go along to make sure the flavors are balanced. Just note that hummus contains tahini, so if you're looking to make this sesame free, you can try this recipe to make your own sesame-free hummus. (Side note: if you absolutely love tahini, learn how to make it here!)
• Za'atar: Za'atar is a spice mixture popular in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. It traditionally consists of toasted sesame seeds, sumac, dried oregano, dried thyme, dried marjoram and often salt. Za'atar has a nutty, toasted, herbal, lemony taste that takes this hummus pasta to the next level. However, if you don't have any, feel free to leave it out.
• If you're making this completely nut free, leave out the pine nuts.
• You can substitute the shallots for any onion variety.
• Choice of pasta: You can really use whatever you have on hand. Spaghetti, penne, farfalle, and most other common pasta varieties will all work here. For extra protein and fiber, consider using a legume-based pasta (like Banza). You can also use gluten free pasta if needed.
• Vegetables: We added mushrooms, spinach, and broccoli, but you can leave those out for a simpler pasta or add in whatever you like. We think sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, squash, or peppers would all taste great!

Step-by-step Instructions

PREP: Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. You'll need to reserve at least 1+ cup of the pasta water for the sauce, so don't drain it completely!

(1) Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes, until softened. Add garlic and continue cooking for another minute. 

(2) Add in mushrooms and broccoli and continue cooking for 8-10 minutes, until softened.

(3) Add in spinach and parsley and continue cooking until spinach is wilted. Season with ½ teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of za'atar and stir well. 

(4) In a mixing bowl, whisk together hummus, remaining ½ teaspoon of salt and za'atar, red pepper flakes, 1 cup of reserved pasta water and lemon juice until smooth. 

(5) Pour the sauce over the vegetables to coat, then stir in cooked pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add in another 1-2 tablespoons of reserved pasta water. 

Optional: top with toasted pine nuts and serve warm. 

Expert Tips and FAQs

• Be sure to salt your pasta water. As a general rule of thumb, use 1-1 ½ tablespoons of kosher salt per pound of pasta. Don't worry if that sounds like a lot – almost all of it gets drained out, but it's the best way to add flavor to your pasta.
• Reserve your pasta water after cooking the pasta! This is a key step that helps to create a super creamy hummus sauce that will evenly coat your pasta. It's important to use the reserved pasta water and not regular water because it contains the starch from the pasta, which makes for a creamier pasta sauce.
• Use a good quality hummus. Whether that's store bought or homemade, using a more flavorful hummus will take your pasta to the next level.
• Customization ideas:
  • Add nutritional yeast for extra cheesy flavor. (Or, stir in vegan or regular cheese of choice!)
  • Serve chilled as a pasta salad.
  • Add extra red pepper flakes for more spice.
  • Use gluten-free pasta or try zucchini noodles instead!
  • Top with a protein, like baked tofu, lentils, or if you're not vegan, chicken.
• Make ahead: This recipe only takes about 20 minutes, but if you want to make it ahead of time, you can make the vegetables, pasta, and sauce, and set them aside. When you're ready to eat, just combine them all in a pan to reheat.
• Storage: Store in an airtight container in your refrigerator. It should last for 2-4 days.
• Reheating: Add everything to a pot or a pan over medium low heat until warmed through. If the sauce looks too thick, add some vegetable broth or water to loosen it up.

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