Description
This Creamy Avocado Pasta recipe is a vibrant and nutritious dish that combines ripe avocados with fresh herbs, cream cheese, and a hint of serrano chili for a luscious sauce. Tossed with al dente pasta, cherry tomatoes, and peppery baby arugula, this meal offers a deliciously creamy texture and fresh flavors ideal for a quick and healthy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 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
Pasta and Toppings
- 16 ounce (454 g) package pasta of your choice
- 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 of your choice and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
- Prepare the Avocado Sauce: In a blender, combine the avocados, cilantro, hemp seeds, garlic, lemon juice, cream cheese, serrano chili, black pepper, salt, milk (or reserved pasta water), and olive oil. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Return the cooked pasta to the pot or place it in a large bowl. Pour the creamy avocado sauce over the pasta and toss well to ensure all noodles are evenly coated. 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 other greens). Toss until they are evenly distributed and slightly wilted by the warmth of the pasta.
- 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 warm.
Notes
- Using reserved pasta water helps adjust the sauce consistency perfectly, making it creamy and easy to coat the pasta.
- You can substitute the serrano chili with a milder pepper if you prefer less heat.
- For a vegan version, replace cream cheese with a vegan alternative and use a plant-based milk.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor, as the avocado sauce can oxidize and darken over time.
- Feel free to add toasted nuts or seeds for extra crunch and nutrition.
