Rating: 3.90
(115)

Avocado Pasta

August 6, 2024

Avocado pasta is one of those meals that feels indulgent but is secretly healthy. It’s creamy without using any cream, flavorful without needing a dozen ingredients, and quick enough to throw together on a busy weeknight. If you love avocados and pasta, this dish is a perfect match.

The beauty of avocado pasta lies in its simplicity. Ripe avocados blend into a smooth, silky sauce that coats the pasta like a dream. With just a few additions – garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and maybe a handful of basil or parsley – you get a fresh, vibrant sauce in minutes. No stove, no simmering, just a blender or food processor and you’re halfway to dinner.

This recipe has a naturally rich texture, thanks to the healthy fats in the avocado. It clings to spaghetti, linguine, or even penne without feeling heavy. The lemon juice not only adds brightness but also keeps the avocado from turning brown too quickly. If you like a little heat, toss in some crushed red pepper flakes for a kick.

Avocado pasta is also incredibly versatile. You can toss in roasted cherry tomatoes, grilled chicken, or sautéed shrimp to make it more filling. For a vegetarian option, try topping it with toasted pine nuts or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast. Want extra greens? Add spinach, arugula, or peas right into the mix.

It’s a great way to make use of ripe avocados before they go bad, and it comes together faster than most traditional pasta sauces. The whole dish is ready in the time it takes to boil the pasta – no need to turn on the oven or wait for anything to bake.

Light, creamy, and full of flavor, avocado pasta is comfort food with a healthy twist. It’s perfect for warm-weather meals or anytime you want something fresh but satisfying. Once you try it, it just might become one of your go-to pasta dishes.

This recipe is made by Robert J McNeil.

Avocado pasta
Avocado Pasta
3.90 from 115 votes
Avocado pasta is one of those meals that feels indulgent but is secretly healthy. It’s creamy without using any cream, flavorful without needing a dozen ingredients, and quick enough to throw together on a busy weeknight. If you love avocados and pasta, this dish is a perfect match.
Servings 2 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb penne pasta
  • 2 Hass avocados peeled and sliced
  • 2 plum tomatoes sliced
  • 4 Garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 14 Basil leaves torn
  • olive oil
  • salt lightly sprinkled
  • shrimp Optional, cooked

Instructions
 

Cook Pasta:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Add 1 lb of penne pasta and cook for 7 minutes until al dente.
  • Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large bowl. Allow it to cool slightly.

Prepare Ingredients:

  • While the pasta is cooling, peel and slice the avocados.
  • Slice the plum tomatoes.
  • Finely chop the garlic cloves.
  • Tear the basil leaves.

Combine Ingredients:

  • Add the sliced avocados, tomatoes, chopped garlic, and torn basil leaves to the bowl with the cooled penne pasta.
  • Drizzle generously with olive oil and mix thoroughly to coat all ingredients.

Season and Serve:

  • Lightly sprinkle the pasta mixture with salt to taste.
  • Serve at room temperature.

Optional Addition:

  • If desired, add cooked shrimp to the pasta mixture for extra protein.

Nutrition

Calories: 2368kcalCarbohydrates: 382gProtein: 69gFat: 66gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 40gSodium: 64mgPotassium: 3320mgFiber: 43gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 1916IUVitamin C: 62mgCalcium: 188mgIron: 9mg
Author: Robert J McNeil
Calories: 2368kcal
Meal Type: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: avocado, pasta
Cooking Method: Boiled
Time: <30 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar scottie.jast1972 says:

    2 stars
    Just okay. Maybe I expected too much. Not a fan of the texture.

    1. 4 stars
      I totally get it! The texture can be hit or miss. Maybe try adding more oil next time for a creamier feel?

  2. User avatar russell.schimmel61 says:

    5 stars
    This was amazing! So creamy and delicious.

  3. User avatar frances.bartoletti84 says:

    3 stars
    I tried this recipe, but the avocado turned brown too fast. Thought it would stay green. Disappointed.

    1. User avatar rickiestmorty says:

      3 stars
      Brown? That shouldn’t happen, right? I guess maybe it wasn’t ripe enough? 🤔

    2. 4 stars
      I know what you mean! Avocados can be tricky. Try adding some lemon juice to keep it green longer next time!

  4. User avatar mary.leuschke1963 says:

    4 stars
    I’m skeptical about mixing avocado with pasta without cooking it—won’t it get weird? But honestly it worked. The garlic + tomato combo was way better than I expected.

  5. 5 stars
    This recipe is wonderful! I added some grilled chicken instead of shrimp and it was so creamy. Would definitely make again!

    1. User avatar reggie.okeefe86 says:

      5 stars
      Glad you enjoyed it! Grilled chicken sounds like a great twist. I’ve gotta try that next time!

  6. User avatar Draugr Thrall says:

    5 stars
    yum! ☺️

  7. User avatar tiana.schroeder says:

    4 stars
    My kids loved it! Great recipe, and easy to make.

    1. User avatar liberal.hero says:

      5 stars
      That’s awesome to hear! It’s my favorite recipe too. Kids love it because it’s so creamy and tasty!

  8. User avatar wilmer.greenfelder says:

    1 star
    Not worth the hype. It’s just pasta with guacamole smeared on it. 🤷‍♂️

  9. User avatar anneliese.wuckert62 says:

    4 stars
    I’m not even a pasta person, but this changed my mind. Simplicity at its best!

    1. User avatar jean.carroll60 says:

      5 stars
      I’m so glad you liked it! It’s really refreshing, isn’t it?

  10. 5 stars
    Y’all, this is legit my new favorite recipe! My kids gobbled it up. Thank you sooo much!

  11. User avatar Deep Thought says:

    3 stars
    I don’t know… avocado and pasta? Sounds weird! But maybe I’ll give it a try. Not sure about the shrimp though.

  12. User avatar jeffrey.yundt1988 says:

    3 stars
    Pasta is best with meat sauce! Don’t know why people mess with avocados. But it looks good anyway.

  13. User avatar shanta.kemmer1981 says:

    4 stars
    Avocados rotting in my kitchen so I tried this. Wasn’t bad! 🤷‍♂️

  14. User avatar julio.shanahan97 says:

    2 stars
    Eh, not for me. The avocados turned brown too fast and it just looked unappetizing.

  15. 4 stars
    Weird combination, pasta and avocado? But I must say, it surprisingly works. 🤷‍♀️

  16. 2 stars
    I don’t understand how avocado and pasta go together. Just sounds weird to me. Maybe I’m just too traditional.

  17. User avatar marcelino.price says:

    2 stars
    IDK if I should trust this. Pasta should be with red sauce, not green mushy stuff!

  18. 5 stars
    Tried this with shrimp, and it was such a hit at dinner! Will make again! 😍

    1. User avatar Ilban Richese says:

      5 stars
      Shrimp sounds great! I’m gonna try that next time too! 😋

    2. User avatar fran.brekke73 says:

      2 stars
      I don’t know… shrimp in pasta? Sounds kinda weird. 😕

  19. User avatar rick.dibbert1958 says:

    5 stars
    Yum! Made it for a dinner party, everyone loved it! Just wow!!!

  20. User avatar NAFO.SUPREMACY says:

    2 stars
    Honestly, this was a flop for me. The texture of the avocados just wasn’t right with pasta, I dunno.

  21. User avatar jamey.kuhlman3 says:

    5 stars
    Shrimp optional is a great idea. I made it with shrimp and it tasted restaurant-y. Would make again for sure.

    1. 4 stars
      shrimp optional?? i mean why not lol. i’m gonna try it. hope my basil doesn’t turn black tho

    2. User avatar michell.ward says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree—shrimp takes this from “good” to restaurant-y real fast. Did you season the shrimp before adding?

  22. User avatar glendora.rau13 says:

    5 stars
    Deliciousness level over 9000!! 🍝🥑 Can’t stop eating it!

  23. User avatar Vennie Howe says:

    3 stars
    Too much garlic for my taste. I’ll do hald next time.

  24. User avatar brenton.christiansen39 says:

    2 stars
    Uhhh…are you supposed to use ripe avocados? Mine were hard and it didn’t turn out great. 😕

  25. User avatar frances.oreilly97 says:

    5 stars
    I added chicken instead of shrimp and it was fire!!!

  26. User avatar dean.dubuque says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely love this recipe! Super creamy and fresh. Didn’t even need the shrimp, the avocados were enough!

  27. User avatar tora.friesen61 says:

    4 stars
    Pretty good but my avocado turned a little brown. Next time I’ll mix it in after the pasta cools more and add salt earlier. Still, it was tasty and felt fancy for how quick it is.

  28. User avatar jaime.crona says:

    2 stars
    I didn’t love it. The avocados got brown too quickly. Might stick to regular pesto.

  29. 4 stars
    The ingredient list is simple and that’s why I like it. No weird spices—just good produce.

  30. User avatar reynaldo.keeling17 says:

    5 stars
    Perfect for a summer meal! I love the fresh ingredients.

3.90 from 115 votes
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