Creamy Avocado Pasta (Printable version)

Luscious avocado sauce with pasta, fresh basil, lemon, and Parmesan for a vibrant main dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
02 - Salt, to season pasta water

→ Avocado Sauce

03 - 2 ripe avocados, halved and pitted
04 - 1 garlic clove, peeled
05 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
06 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
07 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
09 - 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional)
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

11 - Fresh basil leaves
12 - Extra grated Parmesan
13 - Lemon zest (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain.
02 - In a food processor or blender, combine avocados, garlic, basil, lemon juice, olive oil, Parmesan, chili flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust thickness with reserved pasta water as needed.
03 - Toss hot drained pasta with avocado sauce, adding reserved pasta water incrementally to evenly coat noodles.
04 - Divide pasta among plates. Garnish with extra Parmesan, fresh basil leaves, and optional lemon zest. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes less time than ordering takeout and tastes brighter than anything from a restaurant.
  • The avocado sauce clings to every strand of pasta without feeling heavy or oily.
  • You can make it with whatever herbs are wilting in your fridge and it still turns out delicious.
02 -
  • Always blend the sauce while the pasta is still cooking, because avocado turns brown fast and you want to serve this immediately.
  • If the sauce tastes flat, you forgot to season it enough, so add more salt and lemon juice until it pops.
  • Don't rinse the pasta after draining, because you need that starch to help the sauce stick instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
03 -
  • Use a high-powered blender instead of a food processor if you want the sauce to be perfectly silky without any green specks.
  • Toss the pasta with the sauce off the heat so the avocado doesn't cook and turn bitter.
  • Always taste the sauce before mixing it with the pasta, because it's easier to adjust seasoning when it's still in the blender.
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