So here’s the thing — this whole lemony hummus pasta recipe started on a random Tuesday night, after a long shift at the café when I was too tired to chop much and craving something creamy, zippy, and real simple to throw together. I remembered this lemon hummus I had leftover from the weekend, and something in me said, “Why not pasta?”
Now, growing up in South Philly, pasta nights were kinda sacred. My Nonna didn’t mess around with sauces — they had to simmer low and slow, with all the love in the world. But this? This is the total opposite of that. This lemon hummus pasta comes together in 30 minutes flat, and I swear, it’s the kind of easy magic that makes you feel like you’re getting away with something.
Lately, I’ve been real into recipes that pull big flavor from humble ingredients — like my Cottage Cheese Bagel or this High Protein Cucumber Salad. This lemon hummus pasta totally fits that vibe — simple, bold, and a little unexpected in the best way.

We’re talkin’ silky lemon hummus pasta sauce made from a mix of store-bought (or homemade if you’re feelin’ ambitious) hummus, sizzled garlic and shallots, and a good blast of lemon juice and zest. Toss in a big ol’ swirl of spaghetti or bucatini, maybe some fresh herbs or chickpeas, and boom — comfort food without the heaviness.
The first time I tried it with preserved lemon hummus — leftover from a Mediterranean mezze spread we had over the weekend — and holy moly, that salty citrus hit took it to a whole new level. But even the basic version with plain hummus gets that creamy, dreamy vibe. You’ll feel like you’re eatin’ something that took hours — except, joke’s on your tastebuds, it’s just a handful of pantry things and a pot of boiling water.

I like to serve this pasta with whatever herbs I’ve got on hand — dill, basil, parsley, even mint if I’m feelin’ wild — and sometimes I go the extra mile and toss in a handful of toasted sesame seeds or roasted veggies. But honestly? It holds up strong all on its own. Kinda like that friend who shows up in sweatpants and still steals the spotlight.

Give it a go. You can tweak it to your heart’s content — it’s just one of those recipes that says, “Hey, come as you are.” And that’s the kinda food I love most.
Lemony Hummus Pasta

Lemony Hummus Pasta Recipe
This creamy, lemony hummus pasta comes together in just 30 minutes with pantry staples. Garlic, shallot, and bright lemon zest turn plain hummus into a rich, vegan pasta sauce that feels indulgent without the fuss.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Salt, for pasta water
12 ounces spaghetti or bucatini
1/4 cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 large shallot, finely chopped
1 cup plain hummus (store-bought or homemade)
1 lemon, zested and juiced
Tender herb leaves (parsley, basil, dill — your choice)
Toasted sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add garlic and shallot, and cook until softened and fragrant — about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the hummus, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add about 1/2 cup of pasta water to loosen it into a creamy sauce.
- Drain the pasta and add it directly to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated.
- Serve warm, topped with herbs and toasted sesame seeds if using.
Notes
- If you’ve got preserved lemon hummus on hand, use it — it brings a whole different brightness.
- Chickpeas, roasted zucchini, or a handful of arugula stirred in at the end? All winners.
- Leftovers reheat well with a splash of water or extra lemon juice.
- I love hearing how folks riff on this — if you make it your own, drop a comment below or tag me on socials!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 606 cal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 475mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 79g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 17g
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