It’s important to balance the natural bitterness of tahini with a touch of sweetness. Many creamy vegan tahini pasta recipes skip this step, which can leave the sauce unpleasantly bitter. While it works to omit sweeteners in hummus or falafel sauce, a pasta dish uses more tahini, so the bitterness becomes much stronger.
Tahini brands vary, and some are far more bitter than others. With the wrong recipe, you could end up with overly bitter noodles. Maple syrup balances the flavor while keeping the dish vegan, and pairing tahini with peanut butter helps mellow the taste even more. This combination makes the sauce more appealing, even for picky eaters.
Finally, reduced-sodium soy sauce adds a savory, salty note. Be sure to choose a lower salt version so the sauce doesn’t become overpowering.

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