Creamy Avocado Pasta

$- 12 ounces spaghetti or preferred pasta - 2 ripe avocados - 3 cloves garlic - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves - 2 tablespoons lemon juice - 1/4 cup olive oil - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes - Salt and black pepper - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - Cherry tomatoes for garnishing To make creamy avocado pasta, you need some key items. First, choose your pasta. I love spaghetti, but any pasta works. Next, grab two ripe avocados. Look for ones that are soft but not mushy. The garlic is essential for flavor. Use three cloves, finely minced. Fresh basil leaves add a lovely aroma and taste, so don’t skip those. You’ll also need lemon juice for a fresh zing. It helps balance the creaminess of the avocado. Olive oil adds richness and makes the sauce smooth. For those who like a little spice, red pepper flakes can give a nice kick. Add salt and black pepper to taste. If you want to make it extra special, grated Parmesan cheese is a great choice. Lastly, cherry tomatoes add a pop of color when you garnish your dish. If you want the full recipe with all the steps, check out the Full Recipe. Enjoy the flavors and fun of making this dish! To start, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 ounces of spaghetti or your chosen pasta. Cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente. This means it will be firm to the bite. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water. This water helps the sauce stick later. Drain the noodles and set them aside. Now, let’s make the creamy avocado sauce. In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the flesh of 2 ripe avocados and 3 cloves of minced garlic. Add 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil. If you like a bit of spice, you can also add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. In a large mixing bowl, add the drained pasta. Pour the avocado sauce over the pasta. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water. Mix it well until the sauce is your desired consistency. Finally, fold in 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. This adds a nice touch of flavor and creaminess. Serve the pasta right away, garnished with halved cherry tomatoes and extra basil leaves for color. You can find the full recipe above for more details! To get the smoothest sauce, use a high-speed blender. Blend the avocados, garlic, and basil well. If your sauce is too thick, add pasta water. This water has starch, which helps the sauce stick to the pasta. Start with a little and mix until creamy. Add fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for a new taste. You can also try spices like black pepper or chili flakes. For extra crunch, add nuts like pine nuts or walnuts on top. Squeeze a bit more lemon juice for a zesty kick. To make your dish look fancy, use wide bowls. Place the pasta in the center and top it with bright cherry tomato halves. Add a few fresh basil leaves on top. This adds color and freshness, making your meal more inviting. For extra flair, sprinkle more Parmesan cheese on top before serving. {{image_4}} To make this dish vegan, you can swap the Parmesan cheese for nutritional yeast. This gives a cheesy flavor without any dairy. You can also use different vegan-friendly ingredients. For a creamy touch, consider adding cashew cream or silken tofu to the avocado sauce. If you want to boost the protein in your meal, try adding chicken or shrimp. Cook them separately, then mix them in before serving. For a vegetarian option, chickpeas work great. They add texture and protein without changing the flavor much. Switching up the pasta can change the dish entirely. Use gluten-free pasta if you need a gluten-free option. Zoodles, or zucchini noodles, are a fun choice if you're looking for a low-carb meal. Whole grain pasta is also a healthy alternative that adds fiber. For more ideas, check the Full Recipe for creamy avocado pasta! To keep your creamy avocado pasta fresh, store it in the fridge. Use an airtight container. This helps prevent browning and keeps flavors intact. Make sure to eat leftovers within two days for the best taste. If you have extra sauce, store it separately. This way, it stays creamy and delicious. When reheating, do it slowly on low heat. This keeps the pasta from becoming mushy. Add a splash of water or olive oil to help maintain moisture. Stir often as it warms up. If you notice the sauce thickening too much, just add a little more liquid. Enjoy your creamy avocado pasta just like freshly made! Yes, you can use frozen avocados. Thaw them first for best results. Frozen avocados can lack some texture but still work well in the sauce. Just blend them until smooth. To add heat, include red pepper flakes in the sauce. You can also mix in fresh jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. Adjust the spice to your taste. You can make the avocado sauce ahead of time. Store it in the fridge for up to two days. Just keep it in an airtight container to prevent browning. Cook the pasta fresh when ready to serve. Creamy avocado pasta pairs nicely with a side salad. Grilled vegetables also make a great match. For protein, consider shrimp or grilled chicken. The sauce lasts about two days in the fridge. Use an airtight container to keep it fresh. If it browns, just stir it before serving. For the full recipe, check out the delicious details above! In this post, I shared how to make creamy avocado pasta. You learned about the main and optional ingredients. I covered clear steps for cooking pasta and making the sauce. Tips helped you get the best texture and flavor. Don’t forget the fun variations, too! Experiment with proteins and different pasta types. With simple storage tips, you can enjoy leftovers easily. This dish is tasty and healthy. I hope you feel ready to make it now. Enjoy your cooking adventure!$

Indulge in a Creamy Avocado Pasta Delight that is as tasty as it is easy to make! This vibrant dish combines creamy avocados, fresh basil, and zesty lemon for a pasta experience you won't forget. Perfect for a quick dinner or a special gathering, this recipe showcases how simple ingredients can create a luxurious meal. Click to explore the full recipe and impress your family and friends with this deliciously fresh pasta dish!

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Ingredients

12 ounces spaghetti or your preferred pasta

2 ripe avocados, cut in half and pitted

3 cloves garlic, finely minced

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, plus additional for garnishing

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a spicy kick)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for a vegan alternative)

Cherry tomatoes, halved (for garnishing)

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the noodles and set them aside.

In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the flesh of the ripe avocados, minced garlic, fresh basil leaves, lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Blend until the mixture is creamy, smooth, and has a vibrant green color.

Season the avocado sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick for your liking, gradually add some reserved pasta water, mixing well until the sauce achieves your desired consistency.

In a large mixing bowl, add the drained pasta and pour over the avocado sauce. Toss gently to ensure that the pasta is coated evenly with the creamy sauce.

Fold in the grated Parmesan cheese until well combined and the pasta is luxuriously creamy.

Serve the pasta immediately, garnished generously with halved cherry tomatoes, extra basil leaves, and a sprinkle of more Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4

- Presentation Tips: For an appealing presentation, dish the creamy avocado pasta into wide, shallow bowls, garnishing each with vibrant cherry tomato halves and a few fresh basil leaves to enhance the dish's color and freshness.