How to Make the Perfect Avocado Cream Pasta
American · Easy · 15 min · 4 servings
This Avocado Cream Pasta delivers a silky rich sauce made entirely from fresh avocados in just 15 minutes. The blended avocado sauce with lemon and garlic creates a naturally creamy no-cook sauce that transforms this into the ultimate quick and healthy pasta meal.
Why this recipe works
This Avocado Cream Pasta recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 15 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 490 calories with 14g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 2 large ripe avocados pitted and peeled
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Cook pasta in a large pot of heavily salted boiling water until al dente according to package directions, about 9 to 10 minutes. Reserve one cup of starchy pasta water before draining and set the pasta aside.
Step 2: Blend the Avocado Sauce
While pasta cooks, add avocado flesh, garlic cloves, lemon juice, fresh basil, olive oil, and half a teaspoon of salt to a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds.
Step 3: Thin the Sauce
With the blender running, stream in reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches a pourable creamy consistency similar to alfredo sauce. Taste and adjust salt and lemon juice as needed.
Step 4: Toss and Serve
Add hot drained pasta to a large bowl and immediately pour the avocado cream sauce over it. Toss quickly and thoroughly to coat every strand before the sauce can oxidize. Serve immediately topped with extra basil, red pepper flakes, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- fresh basil leaves → fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime creates a Mexican-inspired variation
- lemon juice → lime juice brightens the avocado sauce with a slightly tangier citrus note
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Letting the finished pasta sit too long before serving which causes the avocado sauce to brown
- Using underripe avocados which results in a bitter grainy sauce instead of creamy
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 490 calories, 14g protein, 65g carbs, 22g fat, 9g fiber.
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