Creamy Avocado Spinach Pasta (Printable)
A vibrant pasta featuring creamy avocado, fresh spinach, lemon, and garlic for a nutritious quick meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
02 - Salt for boiling water
→ Sauce
03 - 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
04 - 3.5 oz fresh baby spinach
05 - 1 small garlic clove
06 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt or crème fraîche
10 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
12 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Garnish
13 - Additional grated Parmesan
14 - Fresh basil leaves
15 - Crushed red pepper flakes
# How-To Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
02 - Combine avocados, spinach, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, Parmesan, Greek yogurt, black pepper, salt, and lemon zest in a food processor or blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
03 - Transfer sauce to a large bowl. Add drained pasta and toss to coat thoroughly, incorporating reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached. Adjust seasoning if needed.
04 - Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan, fresh basil leaves, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It comes together in under 25 minutes but tastes like something from a fancy Italian restaurant
- The sauce is impossibly creamy without any heavy cream, making it lighter than traditional pasta dishes
- You can customize the protein and make it entirely plant based without losing any of that luxurious texture
02 -
- The sauce thickens quickly as it sits, so add pasta water immediately rather than waiting
- Avocado oxidizes fast, but the lemon juice helps and the vibrant green color stays beautiful if served right away
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, so take everything out about 20 minutes before cooking
- If making ahead, store sauce separately with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent browning