Creamy pasta is total comfort food and this Creamy Avocado Pasta recipe is ready in under 15 minutes. A creamy pasta doesn't have to be unhealthy, and we have made a super creamy sauce by blending up some avocado and adding lemon and basil for extra flavour.
This is kind of like a guacamole pasta, but not. It's got the blended avocado vibes going on, but then with plenty of garlic (seriously, the more the better), some lemon juice and basil. Mix it all up and you have yourself a delicious and light pasta sauce that will cling to any pasta shape you have hanging about your cupboard.
Avocados never get wasted in our house, so when we have one that is getting past its best and we need dinner in a flash, this gets made.
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Why should you try it?
- A delicious way to use avocados
- Ready in under 15 minutes
- Vegan
- Easy to adapt
What you will need
- Pasta - any pasta will work, but we used riccioli pasta as the sauce clings really well to it. Fusilli or penne are easier to find, and will work just as well.
- Avocado - make sure they are nice and ripe.
- Lemon - to add some sharpness to the sauce
- Garlic and basil - to flavour the sauce. Adjust to your own preference. You can use coriander (cilantro) instead of basil if you prefer.
- Water - or more if you prefer a thinner sauce.
- Spring onions (scallions) - to serve (optional).
- Red chilli flakes - to serve (optional).
Step by step
One: Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions (about 10-12 minutes)
Two: Put the avocado, water, lemon, garlic, basil and salt and pepper in to a blender and blend until smooth.
Three: Once the pasta is cooked, drain and add the avocado mix.
Four: Mix well.
Five: Transfer to bowls and sprinkle over spring onions (scallions) and chilli flakes.
Avocado pasta sauce
If you struggle to get healthy fats in to your kids diet, then avocado is a great way to increase it, as it doesn't have a very strong flavour, more of a texture, and it can be hidden in to meals and blended in to a sauce.
If your kids are anything like mine, then they will love pasta, so make the most of that by making an avocado pasta sauce with avocado to increase their intake of this green gold. The most appealing part of it to kids, is the bright green colour. Which is why this pasta has been referred to as "Monster Pasta" before. Whatever gets them eating it, right?!
What pasta to use
This pasta sauce is really think (unless you make it thinner with more water), so it clings to pretty much any pasta really well. We used riccioli, which can be quite difficult to find in shops, but anything like penne, fusilli or even spaghetti will work. That's the great thing about this sauce - it goes with any pasta.
What vegetables can you add?
You can give it even more of a nutrient boost, and some extra colour by blending some spinach and/or cooked peas in to it. Whatever you think your kids will enjoy.
We like to keep it simple and don't usually add anything else in to it, but you could add some quick cooking chunky veg like mushrooms, courgette or aubergine that have been sauteed. A little bit of sweetcorn is nice in this too.
I like to add a sprinkle of red chilli on top just before serving, as I think it really brings out the lemon in the dish.
What protein can you add?
You could use this pasta sauce as a base to make kind of an avocado carbonara. Add some grated Parmesan to it and then some cooked chopped bacon. Bacon and avocado go so well together.
Other ways we have varied this dish in the past include topping with grilled chicken, salmon or prawns. You could add some cooked tofu, tuna or beans, or just keep it how it is.
FAQs
This is an very healthy meal. Avocados can be quite high in fat, but they are the healthy monosaturated fats, which are good for the heart. Avocados are also abundant in vitamins K, C, B5, B6, E, folate and potassium. They are full of fibre and can also help to reduce cholesterol and help with eye health. Pretty much the ideal superfood!
The key is to pick a ripe but not over-ripe avocados. We like Hass avocados. Try to look for avocados that give a bit to a gentle squeeze. But you don't want one that it too soft, as it will be over ripe.
Don't worry if when you cut in to it there are some bruised or brown bits, as you can scoop those out and discard.
This is a great meal to help with baby led weaning. Make sure your baby is confident at eating solids (at least 8 months old) and use a pasta that he/she can easily grip, like the shapes we suggest above. We would suggest leaving out (or at least reducing) the garlic and also omitting the chilli flakes. Give your little one a bowl of this avocado pasta and let them dig in! It will be messy - but they will love it!
Extra tips
- Use any pasta you have in the cupboard that needs using, this sauce works with everything.
- Feel free to add more garlic, as you can never have too much.
- Add some protein to this dish by topping with some grilled chicken, salmon or prawns.
- Make an avocado carbonara by stirring some Parmesan and cooked chopped bacon in to the sauce.
- A little bit of feta crumbled on top is delicious.
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Recipe
Creamy Avocado Pasta
Ingredients
- 120 g dried pasta
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
- 1 avocado
- 60 ml water
- 10 g fresh basil chopped
- 4 spring onions
- 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes optional
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions (about 10-12 minutes)
- Put the avocado, water, lemon, garlic, basil and salt and pepper in to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain and stir in the avocado mix.
- Transfer to bowls and sprinkle over spring onions and chilli flakes.
Notes
- Use any pasta you have in the cupboard that needs using, this sauce works with everything.
- Feel free to add more garlic, as you can never have too much.
- Add some protein to this dish by topping with some grilled chicken, salmon or prawns.
- Make an avocado carbonara by stirring some parmesan and cooked chopped bacon in to the sauce.
Emily Ware
I'm not a huge fan of avacado but this looks gorgeous!!x
fashion-mommy
I really love the sound of this, I love avocado and creamy pasta dishes, so this is virtually perfect in my eyes.
#UKBloggers
Monica Shaw
Avocado addicts of the world unite... think I'll try this with some courgette "pasta". And cashew "parmesan cheese"!
Jo of Jo's Kitchen
Sounds delicious and healthy too x
Emily
This look yummy! I'm trying to cook more fresh meals so will give this a go x
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
I LOVE avocado sauce on pasta. This looks gorgeous! I live in an area with SUPER SUPER hard water, I definitely need to get myself a filter!
Laura
You are so right Dannie, getting Healthy fats into kids is a tough sell. They resist unless you stick it with other foods they like or will just refuse to eat it. I think I am going to try to sneak this I to my kids diets, I would love for them to eat avocado.
Mir
So creamy! I love how avocado is such a natural stand-in for creamy but not as healthy alternatives. This looks delicious!
Steph
I made this last night and it was a big hit with my whole family. I have never thought to use filtered water in my cooking as well, but it makes sense why I should.
Jo
So kind of like guacamole spaghetti then? Great idea!
lucie
Avocados are so versatile! I used to love Carbonara as a kid, but like you say, i just cant eat a bowl full now without feeling sick from all the cream! Gotta try this recipe!
Rach @ This Italian Family
It's 8 in the morning and this already looks SO good to me! You have me hungry, haha!
Kimberly
I have just diacoverd your blog through the BRITA Facebook page and I am so glad they shared your recipe. I have just taken a look through your weight loss page and what an incredible story. I will be following your blog regularly now, as I am trying to lose a couple of stone myself.
Marie
This sounds really delicious. Thanks for sharing something kid friendly.
Ruby Red Apron
What a great idea for healthier creamy pasta dishes. I love the versatility of avocados!
Matt
Yum!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy
I love avocado pasta one of my favorite dishes! Your version looks amazing!
All That I'm Eating
This is a great idea, never thought of using avocado with pasta before!
Brittany
I'm a huge fan of cashew creams, and other nuts sauces, but avocados make an appearance on my pasta every so often too. So good!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane
If I could only eat one food for the rest of my life, I think my choice may well be avocado! Sooo ... this is pretty much heaven on a plate for me! Delicious!