Creamy Avocado Pasta

$- 12 oz pasta (spaghetti or fettuccine work well) - 2 ripe avocados, halved and pitted - 1 garlic clove, minced - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 2 tablespoons lemon juice - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) - Salt and pepper to taste - Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving, optional) - Cherry tomatoes, halved (for garnish, optional) If you don’t have ripe avocados, you can try ripe bananas. They won’t taste the same, but they will add creaminess. For lemon juice, lime juice works great too. You can swap fresh basil with spinach or arugula for a different flavor. If you want a nutty taste, try adding pine nuts or walnuts. For a spicy kick, use chili flakes or fresh chopped chili. If you need a dairy-free option, skip the Parmesan cheese or use a vegan version. This creamy avocado pasta serves four. Each serving contains about: - Calories: 400 - Protein: 10g - Carbohydrates: 50g - Fat: 20g - Fiber: 7g This meal offers healthy fats from avocados and fiber from pasta. It’s a quick dish that gives your body good energy. Enjoy it as a light lunch or dinner! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz of your choice of pasta, like spaghetti or fettuccine. Cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente. This usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. When the pasta is ready, save 1 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you make the sauce. Now, let’s make the creamy avocado sauce. Take 2 ripe avocados and cut them in half. Remove the pits and scoop the flesh into a food processor. Add 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Toss in 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves and, if you like some heat, 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Blend everything until it’s smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. In a large mixing bowl, add the drained pasta. Pour the creamy avocado sauce over it. Toss the pasta well to coat it evenly with the sauce. If the sauce seems thick, add more reserved pasta water gradually to loosen it up. Season with salt and pepper to taste, mixing well to blend the flavors. Finally, divide the pasta onto serving plates. You can garnish with halved cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese if you want. Enjoy your creamy avocado pasta! To get a creamy texture, use ripe avocados. They should feel soft when you press them gently. Blend the avocado with olive oil and lemon juice until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water. This helps the sauce coat the pasta well. If you have leftover sauce, store it in an airtight container. Cover the top with plastic wrap to prevent browning. You can keep it in the fridge for up to two days. When ready to use, stir it well. You may need to add a bit of water to thin it out again. You can boost the flavor with some simple additions. Try adding more garlic or fresh herbs like parsley. A pinch of garlic powder or onion powder can also work. If you like heat, add more red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to match your taste. Pro Tips Use Ripe Avocados: Ensure your avocados are perfectly ripe for a creamy texture. They should be slightly soft to the touch but not mushy. Customize Your Herbs: Experiment with different herbs like cilantro or parsley if you want to change the flavor profile of the sauce. Perfect Pasta Water: Reserve the pasta water before draining; it's starchy and can help adjust the sauce consistency without losing flavor. Add Protein: For a heartier meal, consider adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to the pasta for added protein and texture. {{image_2}} You can easily make this dish vegan. Just skip the Parmesan cheese. The creamy avocado sauce already gives a rich flavor. You can add nutritional yeast for a cheesy taste. It adds a nice twist without dairy. If you want more protein, add cooked chicken or shrimp. Grilled chicken pairs well with the creamy sauce. You can also use chickpeas or tofu for a vegetarian option. These proteins make the meal filling and satisfying. Add seasonal veggies for extra flavor and nutrition. Cherry tomatoes bring a burst of freshness. You can also use spinach or zucchini. Just sauté them lightly before mixing with the pasta. This makes your dish colorful and fun to eat. Store leftover creamy avocado pasta in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh. Make sure to refrigerate it within two hours of cooking. The pasta will stay good for up to three days. If you notice the sauce darkening, it’s due to oxidation. Just mix it again before serving. Freezing creamy avocado pasta is not ideal. The sauce may change in texture. If you want to freeze it, do so without the pasta. Store the avocado sauce in a freezer-safe container. It can last for up to three months in the freezer. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge before use. Reheat creamy avocado pasta gently. Use low heat on your stove or microwave. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to help it stay creamy. Stir well to mix the sauce evenly. Avoid high heat, as it can make the sauce separate. Enjoy your pasta warm, but do not reheat more than once. Yes, you can use frozen avocado. Just thaw it first. Frozen avocado is smooth and creamy. It works well in the sauce. Make sure to blend it well for a nice texture. Spaghetti or fettuccine are great choices. They hold the creamy sauce well. You can also try penne or linguine if you prefer. Choose any pasta you enjoy. Just make sure to cook it al dente for the best bite. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. There are many options available now. Brown rice, quinoa, or chickpea pasta all work well. Just cook according to the package instructions. You’ll still get a lovely creamy dish. This dish pairs well with a fresh salad. You could also serve garlic bread on the side. For protein, grilled chicken or shrimp works nicely. Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for some heat. Enjoy! In this blog post, we covered the main steps to create creamy avocado pasta. You learned about the required ingredients, cooking methods, and helpful tips. We also shared variations to fit your taste and dietary needs. Remember, the right techniques bring out the best flavors. Do not be afraid to experiment with ingredients or add your favorite veggies. This dish is both simple and versatile. Enjoy making it and share your results with friends and family. Happy cooking!$

A delicious and creamy pasta dish made with ripe avocados and fresh basil.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

12 oz pasta (spaghetti or fettuccine)
2 whole ripe avocados, halved and pitted
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
0.5 cup fresh basil leaves
0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
to taste salt
to taste pepper
for serving grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
for garnish cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)

Instructions

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
In a food processor, combine the avocado, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, basil leaves, and red pepper flakes (if using). Blend until smooth and creamy, adding a little reserved pasta water if needed for a thinner consistency.
In a large mixing bowl, add the drained pasta and the creamy avocado sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add more reserved pasta water until reaching the desired consistency.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well for uniform flavor.
Divide the pasta among serving plates. Garnish with cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan if desired.

Notes

For a thinner sauce, add more reserved pasta water.

Keyword avocado, creamy, pasta, vegetarian