Zesty Avocado Basil Pasta Recipe: A Fresh Garden Delight

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this creamy avocado basil pasta delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Blending smooth avocado with fragrant herbs creates a luscious sauce that coats every strand of pasta perfectly.

Ripe avocados bring incredible richness to this simple yet sophisticated dish.

Fresh basil adds a vibrant green burst of flavor that awakens your taste buds.

The recipe comes together faster than ordering takeout, making it an ideal solution for busy evenings.

Creamy, dreamy, and packed with nutritious ingredients, this pasta promises a delightful meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to savor every delectable bite of this restaurant-worthy creation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

Everything You Need For Avocado Basil Pasta Recipe

• Pasta: Provides the hearty foundation for this creamy dish, choose a shape that holds sauce well like penne or fusilli.

• Avocados: Creamy base that creates luxurious texture, select ripe avocados with slight give when gently pressed.
• Basil: Adds bright, herbaceous freshness, use fresh leaves for most vibrant flavor.
• Garlic: Delivers punchy depth and aromatic kick, fresh cloves are best for maximum flavor.
• Olive Oil: Smooths sauce and enhances richness, opt for extra virgin for superior taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Brings salty, nutty undertones, freshly grated offers superior melting quality.
• Lemon Juice: Balances richness and adds zesty brightness, use fresh-squeezed for optimal tang.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning to elevate overall flavor profile.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional heat booster for those wanting spicy kick.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Adds burst of color and fresh sweetness.
• Toasted Nuts: Provides delightful crunch and nutty complexity.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Offers additional herbal garnish and visual appeal.

Kitchen Tools For Avocado Basil Pasta Recipe

• Blender or Food Processor: Essential for creating a smooth, creamy avocado basil sauce.
• Large Pot: Needed to boil pasta with salted water.
• Colander: Perfect for draining cooked pasta.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurately measuring pasta water and ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Great for chopping basil and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for slicing avocados and garlic.
• Wooden Spoon or Tongs: Ideal for tossing pasta with sauce.

Simple Steps To Make Avocado Basil Pasta Recipe

• Boil Pasta

Fill a pot with water, add salt, and cook pasta until tender. Save some pasta water before draining.

• Whip Up Creamy Sauce

Toss avocados, fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes into a blender. Pulse until silky smooth, adding reserved pasta water to create a luxurious consistency.

• Combine and Elevate

Pour the vibrant green sauce over warm pasta, mixing thoroughly to ensure every strand gets coated. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan, scatter cherry tomatoes, or top with toasted nuts for added crunch. Finish with a few fresh basil leaves for a burst of aromatic freshness.

Flavor Tips For Avocado Basil Pasta Recipe

• Creamy Sauce Tip: Use ripe, soft avocados for the smoothest, most luxurious sauce texture that blends effortlessly.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the avocado sauce up to 2 hours in advance, storing it in an airtight container with plastic wrap directly touching the surface to prevent browning.
• Dietary Flexibility: Transform this recipe into a vegan delight by replacing Parmesan with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives for a plant-based version.
• Protein Power Boost: Enhance the pasta's nutritional profile by adding grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crispy tofu for extra protein and depth of flavor.
• Spice Adventure: Experiment with different herb combinations like cilantro or mint instead of basil, or swap red pepper flakes for chipotle powder to create unique taste profiles that keep the dish exciting.

Fresh Serving Ideas For Avocado Basil Pasta Recipe

• Fresh Garden Party Plate: Arrange pasta on a colorful platter surrounded by whole basil leaves and halved cherry tomatoes for a vibrant, restaurant-style presentation.
• Protein Power Boost: Top with grilled chicken strips, seared shrimp, or crispy tofu cubes to transform this pasta into a hearty main course with extra protein.
• Mediterranean Mezze Style: Serve alongside kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and a light cucumber salad to create a Mediterranean-inspired dining experience that complements the creamy avocado sauce.
• Texture Adventure Plate: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts, breadcrumbs, or crispy pancetta over the pasta to add delightful crunch and contrast to the smooth avocado sauce.

Keep And Reheat Avocado Basil Pasta Recipe Easily

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep the pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The avocado sauce tends to brown quickly, so consume within 24 hours for best quality and flavor.
• Sauce Separation Strategy: If sauce separates or darkens, quickly stir and add a splash of fresh lemon juice to restore brightness and prevent oxidation.
• Freezing Finesse: Freeze pasta and sauce separately. Pasta can last 1-2 months, while sauce might develop texture changes. Thaw in refrigerator and refresh with additional herbs or olive oil when reheating.
• Prep-Ahead Plan: Chop fresh herbs and ingredients the night before, storing in sealed containers. Prepare sauce base day of serving to maintain vibrant green color and fresh taste. Keep ingredients chilled and combine just before serving for maximum flavor impact.

Creamy Avocado Basil Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy basil avocado pasta brings silky Italian-inspired comfort to weeknight dinners. Green sauce with fresh herbs coats linguine in rich, smooth elegance, delivering fresh Mediterranean flavors you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz (340 g) pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
• 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for vegan)
• 2 tbsps lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• ½ cup pasta water (reserved from cooking)
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Toasted pine nuts or walnuts
• Extra grated Parmesan
• Fresh basil leaves

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Generously salt a spacious pot of water and bring to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until perfectly al dente, adhering to package instructions.
2. Sauce Crafting: Combine avocados, basil, garlic, and olive oil in a blender. Introduce Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, processing until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
3. Liquid Integration: Extract 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Gradually incorporate reserved liquid into the sauce, adjusting to a silky, pourable texture.
4. Final Assembly: Drain pasta and transfer to a warm surface. Drench with verdant avocado sauce, meticulously coating each pasta strand.
5. Garnishing and Seasoning: Fine-tune flavor with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice. Embellish with fresh cherry tomatoes, toasted nuts, Parmesan shavings, or basil leaves for enhanced visual and gustatory complexity.

Notes

• Choose Perfectly Ripe Avocados: Select avocados that yield gently to pressure but aren’t mushy, ensuring a creamy sauce without browning quickly.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Add reserved pasta water gradually to achieve desired sauce thickness, preventing it from becoming too runny or too thick.
• Prevent Sauce Oxidation: Blend ingredients immediately before serving to maintain vibrant green color and fresh flavor, minimizing potential browning.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free or zucchini noodles for alternative dietary requirements, keeping sauce recipe unchanged.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 64 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg