Description
This Creamy Avocado Pasta is a deliciously smooth and nutritious dish combining ripe avocados, fresh cilantro, and a touch of cream cheese for a luscious sauce. The pasta is tossed with a vibrant sauce made in a blender, then gently mixed with cherry tomatoes and baby arugula for freshness and a light peppery bite. Perfect for a quick, satisfying meal that’s both creamy and healthful.
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) fresh 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
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Add-ins and Garnish
- 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 package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta, then set the pasta aside.
- Blend the Sauce: In a blender, combine ripe avocados, fresh cilantro, hemp seeds, garlic cloves, freshly squeezed lemon juice, cream cheese, serrano chili, black pepper, salt, milk (or reserved pasta water), and olive oil. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth, creamy, and well incorporated.
- Mix Pasta and Sauce: Return the drained pasta to the pot or transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Pour the creamy avocado sauce over the pasta and toss thoroughly to coat all noodles evenly. Add reserved pasta water gradually as needed to achieve a silky, glossy sauce consistency that clings well to the pasta.
- Add Vegetables: Gently fold in the halved cherry tomatoes and baby arugula (or other greens) into the pasta. Toss until they are evenly distributed and the arugula wilts slightly from the residual heat.
- Finish and Serve: Transfer the creamy avocado pasta to serving plates or bowls. Top each serving with extra hemp seeds, a pinch of black pepper, and an optional drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately while still warm for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use the reserved pasta water to thin out the sauce for your desired consistency.
- Adjust the serrano chili to control the heat level depending on your preference.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative and use plant-based milk.
- Fresh herbs other than cilantro, such as basil or parsley, can be used to change the flavor profile.
- This sauce can also be enjoyed cold as a pasta salad dressing.
