Hummus Pasta

Introduction & Inspiration

I’m always looking for quick, easy, and flavorful weeknight dinner recipes, and this Hummus Pasta immediately caught my attention! The idea of using hummus as a pasta sauce seemed both innovative and incredibly convenient. It promised a creamy, flavorful, and protein-packed meal with minimal effort.

My inspiration came from a love of both hummus and pasta, and a desire to find a new and interesting way to combine them. I envisioned a dish that would be both satisfying and relatively healthy, perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a casual gathering.

My goal was to explore a recipe that was both simple and delicious, utilizing pantry staples and requiring minimal cooking time. This Hummus Pasta seemed to fit the bill perfectly: a short ingredient list, a straightforward cooking process, and the potential for endless variations with different types of pasta, vegetables, and toppings.

This recipe could be perfect for a quick lunch.

Nostalgic Appeal

While Hummus Pasta might seem like a modern culinary creation, it taps into some familiar and comforting elements. Pasta, of course, is a universally beloved food, often associated with family meals, comforting dishes, and simple, satisfying meals.

Hummus, while traditionally a Middle Eastern dip, has become a widely popular and familiar food in many parts of the world, often associated with healthy snacking and Mediterranean cuisine.

The combination of pasta and a creamy sauce, even with the unique twist of hummus, evokes memories of classic pasta dishes like mac and cheese or pasta Alfredo, offering a sense of comfort and familiarity.

And the act of cooking pasta, sautéing mushrooms, and tossing everything together in a flavorful sauce is a basic cooking technique that connects us to generations of home cooks.

Homemade Focus

This Hummus Pasta recipe strikes a perfect balance between convenience and homemade goodness. While it utilizes store-bought hummus for ease and speed, the overall feeling is still very much homemade, as you’re preparing the mushrooms, cooking the pasta, and creating the sauce from scratch.

I appreciate recipes that allow for quick and easy meal preparation without sacrificing flavor or freshness, and this one certainly delivers. You’re using a few key ingredients – pasta, mushrooms, hummus, and seasonings – to create a surprisingly flavorful and satisfying dish.

The act of sautéing the mushrooms with garlic and parsley adds a homemade touch, enhancing their flavor and creating a delicious base for the sauce.

And the simple technique of using pasta water to create a creamy sauce with the hummus is a clever and efficient way to achieve a restaurant-quality result with minimal effort.

Flavor Goal

The primary flavor goal of this Hummus Pasta is a creamy, savory, and slightly tangy flavor with earthy notes from the mushrooms and a bright, herbaceous finish from the parsley. It’s a dish that’s both comforting and surprisingly complex, given its simplicity.

The hummus provides the creamy base for the sauce, offering its signature flavor – a blend of chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic – which is both savory and slightly tangy.

The sautéed mushrooms add an earthy, umami-rich flavor and a pleasant, slightly chewy texture.

The garlic and parsley contribute aromatic notes that enhance the overall flavor profile.

The pasta water, added to the hummus, helps create a smooth and creamy sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.

The salt and pepper enhance the flavors and balance the richness of the hummus.

And the optional garnish of fresh parsley, freshly cracked pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil adds a final touch of freshness and visual appeal.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients.

Pasta (any, we use rigatoni): This provides the base of our dish.

Mushrooms: These add an earthy, umami-rich flavor and a meaty texture.

Extra virgin olive oil:

Salt and black pepper:

Garlic, grated:

Parsley, chopped:

Chickpea hummus: This is the star ingredient, providing the creamy base for our sauce.

This list is short and simple.

Essential Equipment

You won’t need any specialized equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:

A large pot: For cooking the pasta.

A large skillet: For sautéing the mushrooms and creating the sauce.

A cutting board and knife: For slicing the mushrooms and chopping the parsley.

A colander: For draining the pasta.

Measuring cups and measuring spoons.

This is a very short list.

List of Ingredients with Measurements

Here’s the complete list of ingredients, with precise measurements:

• 12 ounces pasta (any, we use rigatoni)
• 1 pound mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 1 heaping cup chickpea hummus

This a short and efficient list.

Prepare and gather all the ingredients.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s break down the process into easy-to-follow steps.

Step 1: Cook the Pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 2 cups of pasta water before draining.

Step 2: Sauté Mushrooms. Clean and slice the mushrooms into thin slices (about 4mm or ⅙ inch). Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 12-15 minutes, until browned.

Step 3: Add Garlic and Parsley. Stir in the grated garlic and chopped parsley, cooking for 1 more minute until fragrant.

Step 4: Create Hummus Sauce. Reduce the heat to low and add the hummus and 1 cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir until the sauce becomes creamy. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet and toss until coated in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add more pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

Step 6: Serve. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of parsley, freshly cracked pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Optional: top with grated Parmesan or vegan Parmesan.

These steps are very easy.

Troubleshooting

Let’s address some potential issues, and how to solve them:

Problem: My sauce is too thick. Solution: Add more of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. The starchy pasta water will help create a creamy, emulsified sauce.

Problem: My sauce is too thin. Solution: Let the sauce simmer for a few more minutes, uncovered, to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. You can also add a little more hummus to thicken it.

Problem: My mushrooms are watery. Solution: Make sure you cooked the mushrooms long enough for them to release their moisture and brown properly. This will concentrate their flavor and prevent them from making the sauce watery.

Problem: The sauce is too bland. Solution: Adjust seasoning.

These solutions will help you to obtain a perfect result.

Tips and Variations

Here are some tips and variations:

Tip: Use your favorite type of hummus for the sauce – plain, roasted red pepper, garlic, etc.

Variation: Add other vegetables to the dish, such as spinach, kale, zucchini, or bell peppers. Sauté them along with the mushrooms.

Tip: For a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.

Variation: Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the sauce for extra brightness and acidity.

Tip: Toast some pine nuts or chopped walnuts and sprinkle them on top for added texture and flavor.

Variation: Use different types of pasta, such as penne, rotini, or fettuccine.

This recipe offers different options.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

This Hummus Pasta is a versatile and satisfying dish. Here are some serving and pairing ideas:

Serving: Serve the pasta hot, as a main course or a side dish.

Pairing:

• Enjoy it on its own as a quick and easy weeknight meal.
• Serve it with a side salad and garlic bread for a more complete meal.
• Pair it with a glass of white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, or a light-bodied red wine. Drink with moderation

It is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information is approximate due to variations in specific ingredients and serving sizes. A serving (assuming the recipe makes about 4 servings) may contain:

• Calories: 400-500 (depending on the type of pasta and hummus used)
• Fat: 15-20 grams
• Saturated Fat: 2-4 grams
• Cholesterol: 0-10 mg (depending on pasta type and if Parmesan is used)
• Sodium: 400-600mg
• Total Carbs: 60-70 grams
• Dietary Fiber: 5-8 grams
• Sugars: 5-8 grams
• Protein: 15-20 grams

This Hummus Pasta is a relatively healthy and nutritious dish, providing a good source of protein and fiber from the hummus and pasta.

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Recipe Summary and Q&A

Let’s conclude with a summary of the recipe and answers to some frequently asked questions:

Recipe Summary:

Hummus Pasta is a quick, easy, and flavorful dish made with cooked pasta tossed in a creamy sauce made from hummus, sautéed mushrooms, garlic, parsley, and pasta water. It’s a versatile and satisfying meal that can be customized with different types of pasta, vegetables, and toppings.

Q&A:

Q: Can I make this ahead of time? A: You can sauté the mushrooms and make the hummus sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, cook the pasta and combine everything.

Q: How long will leftovers keep in the refrigerator? A: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Q: Can I freeze this dish? A: It’s best to freeze the sauce separately from the pasta. Cooked pasta can become mushy when frozen and thawed.

Q: I don’t have chickpea hummus. Can I use a different type of hummus? A: Yes, you can use any flavor of hummus you like, such as roasted red pepper, garlic, or even a spicy hummus.

Q: Is it a vegan recipe? A: Yes.