Creamy Avocado Pasta Sauce (Green Pasta) Recipe
This Creamy Avocado Pasta Sauce recipe offers a fresh and vibrant green sauce made from ripe avocado, fresh basil, lemon, and garlic, perfect for a quick and healthy pasta dish. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a deliciously creamy, dairy-free alternative that pairs beautifully with your favorite pasta, making it ideal for a light, satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 7 oz pasta (of your choice)
For the Avocado Sauce
- 1 small avocado (or around 1/2 large avocado)
- 1 cup basil leaves (loosely packed)
- 1/2 lemon (juice and zest)
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved)
Optional Toppings
- Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for a vegan alternative
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil your preferred pasta according to the package instructions until al dente or your desired tenderness. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water for the sauce.
- Prepare the Avocado Sauce: In a blender, combine the avocado, basil leaves, lemon juice and zest, garlic clove, salt, black pepper, and start by adding about 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta water. Blend until smooth. Gradually add more pasta water to reach a creamy sauce consistency you prefer.
- Combine and Serve: Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings or lemon juice as desired. Toss the sauce with the drained pasta until well coated and serve immediately. Optionally, garnish with Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for a vegan touch.
- Storage Instructions: This avocado pasta sauce is best when enjoyed fresh. If storing leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. Note that the flavor may mellow over time, so consider adding extra lemon juice or seasoning before serving. Freezing is not recommended as it may negatively affect texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm avocado for best creamy texture and vibrant flavor.
- Reserve pasta water carefully; it helps to thin the sauce and blend flavors.
- Adjust the amount of garlic and lemon juice according to taste preferences.
- For a vegan option, substitute Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast or omit toppings entirely.
- Consume leftovers within 2 days for best taste and safety.
- Freezing the avocado sauce is not recommended due to potential texture and flavor degradation, but if attempted, use airtight containers and limit freezing to 1-2 months.
