Print & Share This Recipe!
Creamy za’atar pasta made with Greek yogurt, garlic, and a sprinkle of lemon zest—ready in just 20 minutes! This simple Mediterranean dish is rich, tangy, and endlessly versatile. Add your favorite protein or keep it vegetarian—it’s delicious either way!
Type of Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Prep Time: 5 minutes.
Cook Time: 15 minutes
How Many Servings?
6 servings
Ingredients:
1X
2X
3X
Adjust Servings
| 1 lb pasta (fusilli, penne, or spaghetti) | |
| 4 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil (plus extra for drizzling) | |
| 3 garlic cloves, minced | |
| 1 1/4 plain greek yogurt | |
| 2 tablespoons za’atar (plus more for topping) | |
| 2 tablespoons tainini sauce | |
| 1 lemon zest | |
| 1/4 cup crumbeld feta cheese | |
| 1 tablespoon sumac | |
| salt and pepper to taste |
Preparation
1
Prep & Cook the Pasta
Start by prepping your ingredients—mince the garlic, zest the lemon, and measure everything out for a smoother cooking process. Then, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water to help with the sauce later. Drain and set aside.
Start by prepping your ingredients—mince the garlic, zest the lemon, and measure everything out for a smoother cooking process. Then, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water to help with the sauce later. Drain and set aside.
2
Sauté the Garlic & Za’atar
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, just until fragrant—don’t let it brown. Then stir in the za’atar and cook for another minute to release its aroma and deepen the flavor.
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, just until fragrant—don’t let it brown. Then stir in the za’atar and cook for another minute to release its aroma and deepen the flavor.
3
Make the Sauce
Lower the heat and stir in the yogurt, tahini sauce, za’atar, salt, and pepper. Add a splash of reserved pasta water—start with ½ cup—and stir gently until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Add more water as needed to loosen the consistency without thinning the flavor.
Lower the heat and stir in the yogurt, tahini sauce, za’atar, salt, and pepper. Add a splash of reserved pasta water—start with ½ cup—and stir gently until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Add more water as needed to loosen the consistency without thinning the flavor.
4
Toss & Finish
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss it in the sauce, stirring well to coat every piece with creamy goodness. Stir in the lemon zest and adjust the seasoning with extra salt or pepper if needed. If the sauce feels too thick, add a bit more pasta water to loosen it up.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss it in the sauce, stirring well to coat every piece with creamy goodness. Stir in the lemon zest and adjust the seasoning with extra salt or pepper if needed. If the sauce feels too thick, add a bit more pasta water to loosen it up.
5
Serve:
Plate the pasta and drizzle with a little olive oil. Sprinkle with sumac and feta. Add a bit of lemon zest for a burst of brightness, if desired.
Plate the pasta and drizzle with a little olive oil. Sprinkle with sumac and feta. Add a bit of lemon zest for a burst of brightness, if desired.