Description
This creamy avocado pasta recipe combines ripe avocados, fresh cilantro, and a blend of flavorful ingredients to create a smooth, luscious sauce tossed with al dente pasta. Enhanced with cherry tomatoes and baby arugula, it’s a quick, vibrant dish perfect for a nutritious and satisfying meal in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 16 ounce (454 g) package pasta of your choice
- Salt, to taste (for pasta water)
For the Creamy Avocado 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
For the Garnish and Mix-ins
- 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 the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Set the pasta aside.
- Blend the Sauce: In a blender, combine ripe avocados, cilantro, hemp seeds, garlic, lemon juice, cream cheese, serrano chili, black pepper, salt, milk or reserved pasta water, and olive oil. Blend until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy.
- Mix Pasta and Sauce: Return the cooked pasta to the pot or a large bowl. Pour the creamy avocado sauce over the pasta and toss thoroughly to coat all noodles evenly. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky, glossy sauce consistency.
- Add Vegetables: Gently fold in the halved cherry tomatoes and baby arugula or preferred greens. Toss until the vegetables are evenly distributed and slightly wilted by 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 additional drizzle of olive oil if desired. Serve immediately while the dish is warm and fresh.
Notes
- Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce for a silky texture without diluting flavor.
- Adjust serrano chili quantity to control heat level.
- Substitute milk with any plant-based milk to keep it dairy-free.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the freshness and creaminess of the sauce.
- This dish pairs well with a light green salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
