Easy Hummus Pasta

This easy hummus pasta is a delicious and quick recipe that's perfect for lunch or a very light dinner. Ready in just 15 minutes, this hummus spaghetti dish is a must-try for any hummus lover!

Hummus is the best friend of lots of vegans, and it turns out it's not just great as part of a meze. It is, in fact, a versatile ingredient that's super nutritious and delicious at the same time.

Since it has a naturally creamy texture, hummus makes the perfect base for a creamy pasta sauce.

Adding hummus to pasta is a naturally began way of making a creamy sauce without using any artificial plant-based cream or even a cashew-based homemade cream.

Why you'll love this hummus pasta

• The sauce is creamy without the addition of any soy or nut-based cream - the hummus does all the heavy lifting. It's the perfect creamy vegan pasta without nuts!
• It's super easy to make! You can have a creamy bowl of hummus spaghetti in your hands in 15 minutes.
• It's the perfect way to use up any extra hummus you may have in the fridge. It's also super versatile and goes with all kinds of veggies.

Ingredients and substitutions

Olive oil - You only need a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to saute the shallot for the flavour base. If you don't cook with oil, you can saute the onion in a bit of veggie stock.

Shallots - The mellow flavour of shallots is just perfect for this delicate sauce. If you don't mind a more pronounced onion taste, you can use red or brown onion instead.

Garlic - Freshly chopped garlic is best in this type of sauce.

Red chilli flakes - Only add red chilli flakes if you want your pasta with hummus to have a bit of a kick.

Hummus - I used plain hummus to make this sauce, but you can use just about any flavour you like.

Lemon and coriander hummus and Moroccan-style hummus are two excellent ideas. If you make your own hummus at home, this is the perfect sauce to use it up!

Lemon - By adding both lemon juice and zest to this hummus pasta sauce, you'll infuse it with extra flavour and brightness.

Pasta - I love to make hummus pasta with spaghetti as the sauce has the perfect texture for them.

However, you can use any pasta shape you want. If you want to make this recipe as a hummus pasta salad, use a short type of pasta like fusilli or penne.

Basil - A handful of shredded fresh basil adds loads of flavour to the pasta. You can substitute it with fresh parsley if that's what you have on hand.

Cherry tomatoes - This is where you can add your favourite veggies. I opted for plump, ripe cherry tomatoes, but the options are endless.

Ideas include artichokes, red roasted peppers, grilled courgettes (zucchini), aubergines (eggplant), or sundried tomatoes.

How to make hummus pasta sauce

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it generously and cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the package. Reserve at least 250 ml (1 cup) of pasta water before draining.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and cook the shallot for 2-3 minutes over medium heat.

Add the garlic and red chilli flakes and continue to cook for another minute.

Next, stir in the hummus and about half of the reserved pasta water. Stir until you get a creamy sauce, then add the lemon juice and zest.

Transfer the cooked pasta to the pan and turn off the heat. Toss the pasta until well-covered in sauce. Add more pasta water as needed if the sauce looks too thick.

Stir in the fresh basil and cherry tomatoes. Season to taste and serve immediately, topped with extra fresh basil if you like.

Leftovers and storage

• Hummus pasta is great eaten immediately, but it will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
• You can reheat it in the microwave or serve it cold, pasta salad style.
• I don't recommend freezing this pasta because the texture of the sauce won't be the same.

Recipe notes and tips

• You can make hummus pasta gluten-free by swapping the regular pasta with a gluten-free one.
• This is the perfect type of sauce to make a hummus pasta salad. Make the sauce as instructed and use a short type of pasta and your favourite veggies for the perfect summer pasta salad. It's great as a quick lunch or for picnics!
• Depending on the type of hummus you use, the texture of your sauce may vary. Use pasta water as needed until it reaches your preferred consistency.

If you liked this easy hummus pasta, you might also like some of my other easy vegan pasta recipes:

• Creamy Vegan Buffalo Pasta
• Vegan Instant Pot Creamy Pasta
• Creamy Vegan Peanut Pasta
• Vegan Saffron Pasta with Lemon
• Vegan Cashew Pesto Pasta Salad

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