(silky pasta, tangy labneh, and a sprinkle of Zaatar magic)
Pasta Shape: penne / fusilli / spaghetti
*Prep Time: 10 minutes
*Cook Time: 15 minutes
*Total Time: 25 minutes
*Difficulty: Easy
*Servings: 2–3 people
*Best Season: All year, but especially great in *spring and summer* for a light, fresh meal
Ingredients
For the pasta:
250g pasta (penne / fusilli / spaghetti)
1 cup labneh
2 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
½ lemon (juice + a bit of zest)
Salt & black pepper
2 tbsp pasta water (important to loosen the sauce)
For the zaatar oil:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp zaatar
Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
½ tsp sesame seeds (optional but great)
Toppings (optional but recommended):
Cherry tomatoes
Fresh parsley
Toasted pine nuts or almonds
Extra zaatar
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the pasta
- Boil in salted water until al dente.
- Keep 2 tbsp pasta water before draining.
2️⃣ Prepare the labneh sauce
In a bowl, mix:
- Labneh
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Lemon juice + zest
- Salt & black pepper
- 1–2 tbsp of the hot pasta water
Mix until creamy and silky.
3️⃣ Make the zaatar oil
In a small pan (low heat):
- Add olive oil
- Add zaatar, sesame, and chili flakes
- Stir for 30 seconds only — don’t burn it.
- It should become fragrant and green-golden.
4️⃣ Combine
- Add the cooked pasta to the labneh sauce and toss until fully coated.
- Drizzle the warm zaatar oil over the top.
5️⃣ Serve
Top with:
parsley
cherry tomatoes
toasted nuts
extra zaatar
Indulge, enjoy, and let the flavors linger
Labneh Pasta with Zaatar Oil
