Creamy Avocado Pasta Recipe
This creamy avocado pasta recipe offers a fresh and healthy twist on traditional pasta dishes by using ripe avocado blended with garlic, lemon juice, spinach, and olive oil for a smooth, flavorful sauce. Prepared quickly on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot, this vibrant and nutritious meal is perfect for a light lunch or dinner and highlights simplicity with wholesome ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta (semolina or any pasta, about 2–2.5 cups)
- 2 cups water
- Salt, to taste
Avocado Sauce
- 1 large ripe avocado
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 cup baby spinach (or fresh basil, optional)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt, to adjust taste
- 1/4 cup water (or as needed, to adjust sauce consistency)
Toppings
- Crushed black pepper, to taste
- Red chili flakes, to taste
- Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta on Stovetop: In a large pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil and stir in salt. Add the pasta, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente or desired tenderness. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta in Instant Pot (alternative): Add dry pasta, water, and salt to the Instant Pot ensuring the pasta is mostly covered. Seal the valve and cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes (for al dente penne). After cooking, wait 5 minutes, then perform a quick release. Drain any excess liquid.
- Prepare the Avocado Sauce: In a food processor, combine the avocado, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic cloves, spinach (or basil), salt, black pepper, and 1/4 cup water. Blend until smooth, adding more water if needed to reach a creamy sauce consistency. Optionally, add parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
- Assemble the Pasta: Return the drained pasta to the pot or Instant Pot insert. Pour the avocado sauce over the pasta and toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
- Serve: Sprinkle red chili flakes and additional parmesan cheese on top, if using. This dish is best enjoyed within 2-3 hours as the avocado sauce may brown over time.
Notes
- For a vegan version, omit the parmesan cheese or substitute with a plant-based alternative.
- The avocado sauce is best consumed fresh to prevent browning; refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
- You can substitute baby spinach with fresh basil or kale for varying flavors.
- Adjust the amount of water in the sauce to achieve your preferred thickness.
- Adding olive oil is optional but helps enhance the creaminess and flavor of the sauce.
Keywords: avocado pasta, creamy avocado sauce, healthy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, quick pasta dinner, instant pot pasta, stovetop pasta, avocado pesto
Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/creamy-avocado-pasta-recipe/
