Avocado Pasta Recipe
Everyone loves pasta. Avocado pasta is a delicious, healthy alternative to a regular pasta dish.
This is a nice light lunch that can be whipped up quickly. It is a crazy cross between an omelet and pasta. It includes avocados, which are good for cholesterol, and different herbs and spices, which are good for your health.
Where Do Avocados Grow?
Avocados are mostly grown in Mexico, California, and South America. They grow best in tropical, humid environments.
What Is Avocado Sauce Made Of?
Everyone has their own recipe, but generally speaking, it will be avocado, spices, and a bit of liquid to get the right consistency.
What does Avocado Pasta Taste Like?
The flavor notes of this avocado pasta recipe include:
- Creamy: The ripe avocado provides a rich and creamy texture to the pasta sauce.
- Fresh: The addition of fresh spinach, lime juice, and cherry tomatoes gives the dish a bright, fresh flavor.
- Savory: The garlic, parmesan cheese, and olive oil add depth and savory undertones to the dish.
- Salty: The salt and parmesan cheese balance the flavors and enhance the overall taste.
- Tangy: The lime juice adds a tangy and zesty taste to the dish, which complements the creamy avocado and fresh cherry tomatoes.
Overall, this avocado pasta recipe is a delicious combination of creamy, fresh, savory, salty, and tangy flavors.
What To Serve With Avocado Pasta?
As with many pasta dishes, some good sides for this pasta dish are a green salad, some garlic bread, or even a bowl of soup.
Dietary Restrictions
- Dairy-free – This recipe can be made dairy-free simply by omitting the parmesan cheese or using a plant-based parmesan.
- Gluten-free – You can use gluten-free pasta with this recipe.
- Vegan – The only thing not vegan in this recipe is the parmesan cheese. Omit it, or use a plant-based cheese.
- Sugar-free – This dish has no added sugar.
Types Of Past To Use
I used Rotini pasta here, but you could also use penne or cavatappi. You can use whole wheat pasta, brown rice pasta, or even chickpea pasta, depending on your dietary needs.
Recipe Tips
- Use ripe avocados: Make sure to use ripe avocados for the best flavor and texture. If the avocados are not ripe, they will not be as creamy and flavorful.
- Freshly squeeze the lime juice: Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor. Bottled lime juice can taste sour and lack the zing of fresh lime juice.
- Emulsify the sauce: To make the sauce creamy, it’s important to emulsify the ingredients by blending them until smooth. Use a blender or food processor to achieve a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Cook the pasta al dente: Make sure to cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Overcooked pasta can become mushy and lose its shape, making it harder to toss with the sauce.
- Season to taste: Make sure to taste the pasta sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed with salt and pepper.
- Serve with additional toppings: If desired, you can serve the avocado pasta with additional toppings, such as grilled chicken or shrimp.
Recipe Variations And Additions
If you’d like to add more to this recipe, try one of the following:
- Olives
- Sweet corn
- Fresh basil or other fresh herbs.
- A splash of cream.
- A splash of lemon juice – Especially if storing the sauce in the fridge.
- Zucchini – You can either use zucchini noodles or cut raw zucchini pieces into the pasta when you add the tomatoes.
- A dollop of plain Greek yogurt for extra creaminess and a bit of tang.
About The Ingredients
Dry pasta – Any type you like.
Avocado – Just make sure it’s ripe without being mushy.
Fresh spinach leaves – I like to use baby spinach leaves.
Garlic cloves – You can use more than what’s called for if you like a heavy garlic flavor. Add garlic with your heart.
Freshly squeezed lime juice – Although bottled will do in a pinch.
Oil – Any type you normally cook with. Olive oil is best for drizzling on as garnish.
Salt – I use pink Himalayan salt. Use whatever you normally cook with.
Freshly ground black pepper
Grated parmesan cheese – The real stuff.
Cherry tomatoes – Or grape tomatoes. Whatever small tomatoes your store carries are fine.
How To Make Avocado Pasta
Prep
Gather and measure all your ingredients.
The Pasta
Cook the pasta according to package instructions in salted water. Make sure to reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water for the sauce. Drain and set aside.
The Tomatoes
Cut all the tomatoes in half and set aside.
The Avocado Pasta Sauce
While the pasta cooks, let’s prepare the avocado sauce. Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. In a food processor or blender, combine the avocado flesh, parmesan cheese, olive oil, spinach, garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of pasta water to thin it out.
Putting It All Together
In a large pan, heat the cooked pasta and avocado sauce over low heat. toss gently until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
Add the grated parmesan cheese and tomatoes, and continue tossing for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted and the tomatoes are warmed through.
Serving
Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmigiano cheese and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
How To Store Avocado Pasta Leftovers
The best way to store avocado pasta is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To extend the shelf life, you can store the pasta sauce and pasta separately and then combine them just before serving.
Here are some tips for storing avocado pasta:
- Cool the pasta to room temperature: Before storing, let the pasta cool to room temperature to prevent the sauce from becoming too thin and to prevent the growth of bacteria.
- Store in an airtight container: Place the pasta and the sauce in an airtight container and seal tightly. You can also use a vacuum-sealed bag for longer storage.
- Refrigerate: Store the pasta in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Note: Avocados tend to darken when exposed to air, so it’s best to serve the pasta as soon as possible after preparing it. If the pasta sauce does darken slightly, it’s still safe to eat, but the flavor and texture may not be as good as when it’s freshly made.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for this recipe.
How Do You Reheat Avocado Pasta?
Reheat carefully: When ready to serve, gently reheat the pasta in a pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also microwave the pasta in a microwave-safe dish, covered for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
More Healthy Pasta Recipes
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Avocado Pasta Recipe Card
Avocado Pasta Recipe
Equipment
- 1 large pasta pot
Ingredients
- ½ lb. dry pasta (any type)
- 1 large avocado
- 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
- 2 large garlic cloves
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tbsp. oil
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 3 tbsp. oil
Instructions
- Gather and measure all your ingredients.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. (Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water for the sauce. Drain and set aside).
- Cut the tomatoes in half.
- Meanwhile, prepare the avocado sauce. Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. In a food processor or blender, combine the avocado flesh, parmesan cheese, olive oil, spinach, garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Blend until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of pasta water to thin it out.
- In a large pan, heat the cooked pasta and avocado sauce over low heat.
- Toss gently until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Add the grated parmesan cheese and tomatoes, and continue tossing for 1-2 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the tomatoes are warmed through.
- Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.
