Description
This creamy avocado pasta recipe combines ripe avocados, fresh herbs, and vibrant vegetables to create a luscious, dairy-rich sauce that coats perfectly cooked pasta. Quick to prepare and full of fresh flavors, this dish is a nutritious and satisfying meal ideal for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 16 ounces (454 g) pasta of your choice
Sauce
- 2 ripe avocados
- ½ cup (8 g) cilantro
- ¼ cup (50 g) hemp seeds
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 lemon, juiced
- ½ cup (114 g) cream cheese
- 1 serrano chili, or to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- ½ cup (118 ml) milk of choice (or reserved pasta water to thin sauce)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables and Garnish
- ½ pint (237 ml) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups (40 g) baby arugula or greens of your choice
- Hemp seeds, for topping
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
- Blend the Sauce: In a blender, combine the ripe avocados, cilantro, hemp seeds, garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, cream cheese, serrano chili, black pepper, salt, milk (or reserved pasta water), and olive oil. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
- Mix Pasta and Sauce: Return the cooked pasta to the pot or transfer to a large bowl. Pour the creamy avocado sauce over the pasta and toss thoroughly to coat every noodle evenly. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky and glossy sauce consistency.
- Add Vegetables: Gently fold in the halved cherry tomatoes and baby arugula or your choice of greens. Toss carefully until the vegetables are evenly distributed and slightly wilted from the warmth of the pasta.
- Finish and Serve: Transfer the pasta to serving bowls or plates. Top with extra hemp seeds, a pinch of black pepper, and an optional drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- You can substitute milk with reserved pasta water to maintain the sauce’s consistency without adding extra dairy.
- Adjust the heat level by varying the amount of serrano chili or removing seeds to reduce spiciness.
- This recipe works well with gluten-free pasta for those with dietary restrictions.
- For a vegan version, replace cream cheese with a plant-based cream cheese and ensure milk is non-dairy.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors and avoid the avocado sauce browning.
