This Creamy Avocado Pasta recipe is ready in under 15 minutes and it's a great way to get some extra healthy fats into your diet. It's light and zesty, and the ultimate summer pasta dish. If you are looking for a new way to use avocados, then this is it!
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This is one of the oldest recipes on the website, but it's had a bit of a refresh. The same amazing recipe, just with some new photos. This creamy avocado pasta is quick, fresh and made without cream. This is kind of like a guacamole pasta, but not.
The sauce is blended with ripe avocado, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh basil, seasoning and a little water, then stirred through hot pasta until silky.
It's also a great way to use avocados that are going a little past their best, as once everything is blended up, you can't tell that they were a little brown.
Avocado pasta is a great recipe for when you want something creamy but still fresh and light. Avocado gives the sauce a naturally smooth texture, lemon keeps it from tasting too rich, and basil adds a fresh herby flavour. It is also easy to adapt with extra vegetables, protein or higher-fibre pasta.
For some more exciting ways to use avocados, try our Smashed Avocado on Toast or our delicious Avocado Chocolate Pudding. Also, check out 30 Ways To Eat Avocados.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Pasta - Any pasta will work, but we used spirali pasta as the sauce clings really well to it. Fusilli or penne are easier to find, and will work just as well. Use a wholewheat pasta to make it higher in fibre.
- Avocado - For the best flavour, make sure they are nice and ripe. But you can use harder avocados, as they are blended.
- Lemon - Just and zest to add freshness.
- Garlic cloves and basil - Adjust to your own preference. You can use coriander (cilantro) instead of basil if you prefer.
- Water - Start with a little and then add more if you want a thinner sauce.
- Spring onions (scallions) and red chilli flakes - To serve.
Variations
Higher protein - Blend 3 tablespoons of Greek yogurt, cottage cheese or silken tofu into the avocado sauce for extra protein and creaminess. Greek yogurt will add a slight tang, cottage cheese makes it thicker, and silken tofu keeps it dairy-free.
You can also top the pasta with grilled chicken, salmon, prawns, crispy tofu, edamame or a soft-boiled egg.
Higher fibre - Use wholewheat pasta, lentil pasta or pea pasta instead of regular white pasta. These options add more fibre and can make the meal more filling.
You can also stir through peas, steamed broccoli, spinach, courgette ribbons, roasted peppers or green beans.
Avocado pesto pasta - Add a tablespoon of pine nuts, walnuts or pumpkin seeds to the blender for a pesto-style sauce. A little grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast also works well if you want a more savoury flavour.
How to Make Avocado Pasta
- Step 1: Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions (about 10-12 minutes).
- Step 2: Put the avocado flesh, water, lemon, garlic, basil and salt and pepper into a food processor.
- Step 3: Blend until smooth.
- Step 4: Once the pasta is cooked, drain and add the creamy avocado sauce.
- Step 5: Mix well.
- Step 6: Serve topped with sliced spring onions and chilli flakes (optional).
Avocado Pasta Sauce
If you struggle to get healthy fats into 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 meals and blended into 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?!
Meal Prep and Storage
Meal prep - Avocado doesn't work for meal prep, as it is best eaten straight away. A better meal prep pasta would be our Summer Pasta Salad.
Leftovers - Although it is best eaten straight away, don't throw away leftovers. They can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge until the next day. It may darken slightly, but it will still be fine to eat if stored properly.
After storing, this pasta is best eaten cold or at room temperature. Reheating can change the flavour and texture of the avocado sauce. If you do reheat it, use a very gentle heat and add a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
This recipe is not suitable for freezing because avocado sauce does not thaw well and can become watery and discoloured.
Dannii's Top Tips
- A little bit of feta crumbled on top is delicious.
- Use ripe avocados for the smoothest sauce. They should feel slightly soft when gently pressed, but not mushy.
- Do not heat the avocado sauce directly on the hob. Stir it through the hot pasta off the heat. This keeps the sauce creamy and fresh rather than dull or bitter.
- Reserved pasta water is better than plain water because the starch helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Taste the sauce before serving. Avocado needs plenty of seasoning, and the lemon, salt and pepper are what stop the sauce tasting flat.
- Add the sauce just before serving. Avocado naturally browns over time, so this recipe is at its best when freshly made.
More Quick Pasta Recipes
- Chilli Prawn Linguine10 Minutes
- Pesto Tortellini8 Minutes
- 10 Minute Cream Cheese Pasta10 Minutes
- Easy Smoked Salmon Pasta7 Minutes
If you've tried this avocado pasta recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Creamy Avocado Pasta {12 Minute Recipe}
Ingredients
- 140 g (5 oz) Pasta shapes
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
- 3 Garlic clove
- 1 pinch Sea salt
- 1 pinch Ground black pepper
- 1 Avocado
- 3 tablespoon (0.25 cups) Water
- 10 g (0.33 cups) Fresh basil - chopped
- 2 Spring onions (Scallions) - sliced
- 1 teaspoon Red chilli flakes - optional
Instructions
- Cook 140 g Pasta shapes according to the packet instructions (about 10-12 minutes)
- Put 1 Avocado, 3 tablespoon Water, 1 tablespoon Lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Lemon zest, 3 Garlic clove, 10 g Fresh basil1 pinch Ground black pepper and 1 pinch Sea salt into a blender and blend until smooth.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain and stir in the avocado mix.
- Transfer to bowls and sprinkle over 2 Spring onions (Scallions) and 1 teaspoon Red chilli flakes.
Recipe Tips
- A little bit of feta crumbled on top is delicious.
- Use ripe avocados for the smoothest sauce. They should feel slightly soft when gently pressed, but not mushy.
- Do not heat the avocado sauce directly on the hob. Stir it through the hot pasta off the heat. This keeps the sauce creamy and fresh rather than dull or bitter.
- Reserved pasta water is better than plain water because the starch helps the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Taste the sauce before serving. Avocado needs plenty of seasoning, and the lemon, salt and pepper are what stop the sauce tasting flat.
- Add the sauce just before serving. Avocado naturally browns over time, so this recipe is at its best when freshly made.
- The nutritional information is based on UK avocados, which tend to be smaller than other parts of the world.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Laura says
This sounds so yummy! I find it hard to stop myself eating ALL the avocados just as they are, straight out of the fruit bowl - but I should really try them in some recipes. This looks like a great place to start :)
Emily says
Wow, looks delicious! Definitely want to try this recipe :)
Rachel says
I'm totally the person who only uses avos for guacamole! My fella likes them on toast, or eating with a spoon but I'm just not that into them like that. This looks much more like my cup of tea! :)
Savita @ ChefDeHome says
Dannii, this pasta looks so delicious and creamy! I'm so fond of avocado and I bet this lemony avocado sauce will taste yummmm with pasta!
Elizabeth says
I only recently tried avocado pasta and fell in love with it! It's going to be a regular occurrence in my kitchen, I think. I'll have to give your delicious recipe a try!
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says
I love the sound of this creamy avocado pasta, the amount of avocados i eat now is impressive but I can't wait to try them like this. Great idea Dannii!
amy says
i absolutely love avocado so this just sounds so perfect! xx
Claire @foodiequine says
I made this for lunch yesterday! Well I made my own version as I couldn't remember who had posted a fab photo on Instagram - sorry!
I used spaghetti, avocado, salt and black pepper and smoked paprika. Just mashed with a fork not blitzed. It was gorgeous. Will spice it up a wee bit next time with garlic and chilli. Thanks for the inspiration!
Emily Ware says
I'm not a huge fan of avacado but this looks gorgeous!!x
fashion-mommy says
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 says
Avocado addicts of the world unite... think I'll try this with some courgette "pasta". And cashew "parmesan cheese"!
Jo of Jo's Kitchen says
Sounds delicious and healthy too x
Emily says
This look yummy! I'm trying to cook more fresh meals so will give this a go x
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
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 says
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.