Creamy Avocado Pasta (Print)

A vibrant dish with creamy avocado sauce, fresh basil, and a touch of lemon for a satisfying meal.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
02 - Salt, as needed for pasta water

→ Avocado Sauce

03 - 2 ripe avocados, halved and pitted
04 - 1 garlic clove, peeled
05 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
07 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

11 - Fresh basil leaves
12 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese
13 - Lemon zest (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
02 - Combine avocados, garlic, basil leaves, lemon juice, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, chili flakes if using, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add reserved pasta water gradually to achieve desired sauce consistency.
03 - Toss the hot drained pasta with the avocado sauce, adding additional reserved pasta water as needed to coat the noodles evenly.
04 - Divide pasta among serving plates. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan, fresh basil leaves, and a sprinkle of lemon zest if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes less time than ordering takeout and feels twice as indulgent.
  • The avocado sauce is so creamy you wont believe theres no heavy cream involved.
  • Its flexible enough to handle whatever you have on hand, from cherry tomatoes to leftover grilled chicken.
  • Cleanup is minimal, just one pot and a blender.
02 -
  • Dont skip reserving the pasta water, its the secret to a sauce that actually sticks instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
  • Avocado sauce turns brown if it sits too long, so make it fresh and serve it fast.
  • If the sauce tastes flat, add more lemon juice and a pinch of salt, avocado needs bold flavors to balance its richness.
03 -
  • Use the hottest pasta you can, it helps the sauce loosen and coat better than if the noodles have cooled down.
  • If your avocados are underripe, let them sit in a paper bag with a banana overnight to speed things up.
  • For a vegan version, swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast and add an extra drizzle of olive oil to keep it luscious.
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