How To Make The Best Avocado Pasta In 15 Minutes
The best avocado pasta recipe is loaded with healthy nutrients and ready in 15 minutes. This fresh-tasting pasta with creamy avocado sauce is topped with fresh cherry tomatoes and vegan Parmesan, is easy to make, delicious, high protein, non-dairy and gluten-free too!
Bursting with seasonal freshness, this recipe for avocado pasta is perfect for a light dinner when you don’t have a lot of time. It’s also great for kids because it’s filled with hidden veggies, like iron-rich spinach that your kids won’t even notice or taste. FYI: This recipe is a remake of an old pasta recipe I made when I first started the blog. I have added labeled ingredients as well as step-by-step instructions to make it easier to follow. I promise, you’re going to love it.
Avocado Pasta Ingredients (With Substitutions)
- Dried Pasta of Your Choice – choose a pasta shape that will hold the sauce, such as fusilli, spaghetti, fettuccini, or penne. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. I used gluten-free fusilli for this pasta recipe.
- Avocado – to ensure the creamiest, most flavorful sauce, use a ripe avocado that’s soft to the touch, but not overripe. Check for ripeness by gently pressing the skin near the stem. If it gives slightly, it’s perfect.
- Fresh Spinach Leaves – fresh spinach adds a pop of color, freshness and nutrients to the recipe. Be sure to wash the leaves thoroughly and drain well before using. You can substitute with basil or kale.
- Garlic – fresh garlic adds depth and flavor to the dish. You can use more or less, based on your preference. If fresh is not available, substitute with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice – fresh lime juice is best in order to add a perfect zing and tanginess to the recipe, which balances the richness of the avocado. If you don’t have fresh, you may substitute with an equal amount of bottled lime juice.
- Olive Oil – use a high quality, extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor. Olive oil adds richness and depth to the sauce, and helps to emulsify the ingredients. If unavailable, any neutral-flavored oil will do.
- Vegan Parmesan Cheese – freshly grated vegan Parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor to the dish. You can use my recipe or choose from a variety of commercial brands at your supermarket or this one on Amazon.
- Cherry Tomatoes – not only do juicy cherry tomatoes add a beautiful pop of color, to the dish, they also add a sweet pop of flavor, providing a nice contrast in texture to the creamy pasta sauce. You may substitute with grape tomatoes, or any miniature tomato of your choosing.
- Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper – both enhance the flavor of the recipe. Be sure to taste the sauce before adding more and adjust as necessary.
How To Make Avocado Pasta
1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. (Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water for the sauce). Drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, prepare the avocado sauce. Cut avocado in half and remove the pit. In a food processor or blender combine avocado flesh, vegan Parmesan, olive oil, spinach, garlic, lime juice, sea salt and pepper.
3. Pulse or blend on high until sauce is smooth and creamy. If sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water to thin it out.
4. In a large, non-stick skillet, add the cooked pasta and avocado sauce.
5. Toss gently over low heat until pasta is evenly coated with sauce.
6. Add vegan parmesan and cherry tomatoes. Continue tossing for 1-2 minutes until vegan Parmesan cheese is melted (if using fresh) and tomatoes are heated through. Serve immediately, garnished with extra vegan Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil and a few more cherry tomatoes, if desired. Enjoy!
Variations
- Switch out your greens – instead of spinach, use fresh basil leaves or kale for the avocado sauce.. Or add all three!
- Make it protein-rich – by adding some non-dairy yogurt and vegan Parmesan cheese to pack a mean protein-punch.
- Add more veggies – such as sun-dried tomatoes, fresh corn, green peas, sautéed mushrooms; the sky’s the limit.
- Use your favorite pasta – don’t care for these twisted noodles, no problem! Use your favorite pasta such as spaghetti, fettuccini, or rotini. You can also opt for healthier noodles like whole wheat, chickpea or lentil (this makes it healthier for your kids and family too).
- Substitute Vegan Béchamel Sauce – for avocado sauce for an extra special treat.
Expert Tips
- Use ripe avocados – for the best flavor and texture, ripe avocados are a must. However, they should not be brown or spoiled inside. If you press on the skin near the stem and it gives a little, it is perfect.
- Squeeze the lime juice fresh – this ensures the most robust flavor. Bottled lime juice can taste sour, so fresh is best.
- Emulsify the sauce – it’s important, if you want the creamiest sauce ever, to emulsify the sauce by blending them in the food processor or blender until very smooth.
- Cook the pasta al dente – this means it should still be a bit firm. Overcooked pasta can become mushy when stirring it with the sauce, making it a big mess when you toss the pasta and sauce together.
- Season to taste – taste the pasta before serving and adjust the sea salt and pepper as needed.
TIP: this healthy avocado pasta recipe pairs perfectly with my Roasted Bell Pepper Salad, swirled vegan garlic bread and my strawberry massaged kale salad. For more pasta recipes, try my Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff and my Cavolo Nero Pasta. Finish with this Grilled Peaches Dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Due to oxidation, anything with avocado in it tends to turn brown over time. However, lime juice and sea salt help delay that reaction a little bit, so the sauce should still be green and fresh the next day.
Yes. Avocados are an excellent source of vitamins, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids. The recipe also has 14 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber per serving.
I don’t recommend freezing the pasta sauce due to the oxidation that occurs when avocados are hit by air. This process tends to turn the sauce brown over time, therefore it does not freeze well.
Serving Suggestions
For more great pasta recipes, check out these 32 Vegan Date Night Recipes and the suggestions below:
- Top with a bit of vegan parmesan for a little extra umph!
- As a starter, try this strawberry massaged kale salad that pairs perfectly with pasta.
- Make a side of swirled vegan garlic bread or focaccia bread to compliment this recipe.
- For the perfect cocktail pairing, serve with this vodka mule.
Storage Tips
The best way to store this recipe is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To extend shelf-life, you should store the sauce and the pasta separately, then combine just before serving.
Once combined, allow pasta to cool to room temperature. Place in an airtight container. Refrigeratre for up to 3 days.
To reheat, add to a non-stick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Of course, you can also heat in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish for about 2 minutes.
FREEZING OF AVOCADO PASTA RECIPE NOT RECOMMENDED.
More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
Have you tried this? Why not leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card right below and/or a review in the comment section further down the page? I always appreciate your feedback. You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter, and sign up for my newsletter!
Easy Avocado Pasta Recipe
Equipment
- Food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 8 oz dried pasta I use gluten-free fusilli
- 1 large avocado ripe: seeded, flesh removed
- 1 cup spinach leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1/2 cup vegan Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. (Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water for the sauce). Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, prepare the avocado sauce. Cut avocado in half and remove the pit. In a food processor or blender combine avocado flesh, vegan Parmesan, olive oil, spinach, garlic, lime juice, sea salt and pepper.
- Pulse or blend on high until sauce is smooth and creamy. If sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of pasta water to thin it out.
- In a large, non-stick skillet, add the cooked pasta and avocado sauce.
- Toss gently over low heat until pasta is evenly coated with sauce.
- Add vegan parmesan and cherry tomatoes. Continue tossing for 1-2 minutes until vegan Parmesan cheese is melted (if using fresh) and tomatoes are heated through. Serve immediately, garnished with extra vegan Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil and a few more cherry tomatoes, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
-
- Nutrition information is an estimate.
- To omit oil simply substitute with more vegetable broth.
- Use ripe avocados – for the best flavor and texture, ripe avocados are a must. However, they should not be brown or spoiled inside. If you press on the skin near the stem and it gives a little, it is perfect.
-
- Squeeze the lime juice fresh – this ensures the most robust flavor. Bottled lime juice can taste sour, so fresh is best.
-
- Emulsify the sauce – it’s important, if you want the creamiest sauce ever, to emulsify the sauce by blending them in the food processor or blender until very smooth.
-
- Cook the pasta al dente – this means it should still be a bit firm. Overcooked pasta can become mushy when stirring it with the sauce, making it a big mess when you toss the pasta and sauce together.
-
- Season to taste – taste the pasta before serving and adjust the sea salt and pepper as neede
Yumn! Ran out of canned Alfredo today and was going to make my own until I saw my avacodos on the counter needed to be used soon, made the sauce and it was great! I put it with some mild ground sausage and some tortellini’s! Turned out delicious! Thanks for the recipe will be making this again for sure!
Thank you Mary. That’s so awesome! Where did you find the recipe, if you don’t mind me asking.
Such beautiful photos! Those colors are just lovely, and I love how creamy the avocado makes the sauce.
Thank you Amanda, my favorite food photographer in the world!!
I am obsessed with avocado! And this recipe is perfect because it’s delicious and very easy to make. I’m sure my daughter will love this! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
You’re so welcome thanks Mina.
This avocado pasta looks great meal. i like that creaminess avocado adds to pasta perfect meal.
Thanks so much Swathi.
love this avocado pasta so much! so easy and so delicious!
Great news! Thank you Andrea!!
What a delicious pasta recipe, I love avocados and pasta so this was a no brainer for me. Love the flavors of the avocados combined with the spinach. Great recipe.
Thanks so much Oscar.
What a delicious pasta dish – the avocado does make it so wonderfully creamy. Simple to prepare, and perfect for an easy dinner.
Thank you Alexander, glad you enjoyed it.