Craving a satisfying, creamy pasta dish that doesn’t take all evening to prepare? Look no further. This 15 minute avocado pasta is the answer to your weeknight dinner prayers. It’s incredibly fast, requires just a handful of fresh ingredients, and delivers a luxuriously smooth sauce without any cream. We combine ripe avocados, zesty lemon, fresh basil, and a hint of garlic into a vibrant, no-cook sauce that comes together in the time it takes to boil your pasta. It’s a simple, healthy, and unbelievably delicious meal that your whole family will love.
Why This 15 Minute Avocado Pasta is a Weeknight Lifesaver
When your schedule is packed, the last thing you want is a complicated recipe. This dish is designed for speed and simplicity, making it a true lifesaver for busy evenings. The magic lies in its efficiency; the vibrant green sauce is prepared while the pasta cooks, ensuring everything is ready to combine for a hot meal in just 15 minutes.
Here’s why you’ll put this recipe on repeat:
- Unbelievably Fast: From start to finish, you’re only 15 minutes away from a delicious meal.
- Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with healthy fats from avocado and fresh ingredients, it’s a meal you can feel good about.
- No Cooking Required (for the sauce!): The sauce is made entirely in a blender or food processor, which means less time over a hot stove.
- Creamy Without the Cream: Ripe avocados create a silky, rich texture that rivals any dairy-based cream sauce.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is its reliance on simple, fresh ingredients. You don’t need a long shopping list to create this masterpiece. The quality of your ingredients, especially the avocados, will shine through.
For the Pasta:
- Pasta: 8 ounces of your favorite pasta. Spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine work wonderfully to catch the sauce.
- Reserved Pasta Water: About ½ cup. This starchy water is the secret to a silky, well-emulsified sauce.
For the Avocado Sauce:
- Ripe Avocados: 2 large, ripe avocados are the heart of this dish.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Adjust to your personal taste.
- Fresh Basil: ½ cup, packed. Basil adds a fresh, aromatic flavor that complements the avocado perfectly.
- Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice to brighten the flavors and prevent the avocado from browning.
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil for richness and a smooth consistency.
- Salt and Pepper: ½ teaspoon each, or to taste.
How to Make Creamy Avocado Pasta in 4 Easy Steps
This simple weeknight dinner comes together in a flash. We’ve broken it down into four straightforward steps to guide you from pantry to plate, creating the best 15 minute avocado pasta you’ve ever had.
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, be sure to reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. This is a crucial step for creating a smooth sauce.
Step 2: Prepare the Avocado Sauce
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. Halve the avocados, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a food processor or blender. Add the minced garlic, fresh basil, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: Combine Everything
Blend the sauce ingredients until completely smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of water to help it blend. Once the pasta is cooked and drained, return it to the pot. Pour the creamy avocado sauce over the hot pasta.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the vibrant green sauce. Add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Serve immediately, garnished with cherry tomatoes, red pepper flakes, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Avocado Pasta
A few simple tricks can elevate your avocado pasta from great to absolutely unforgettable. Follow these tips for a flawless dish every time.
- Use Perfectly Ripe Avocados: The key to a creamy, non-stringy sauce is using avocados that are ripe but not overripe. They should yield gently to pressure.
- Don’t Skip the Pasta Water: The starch in the pasta water helps the sauce cling to the pasta and creates a perfectly emulsified, glossy finish.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your sauce before tossing it with the pasta. It might need another squeeze of lemon, a pinch of salt, or more basil.
- Serve Immediately: Avocado sauce is best enjoyed fresh. It can start to oxidize and change color if left to sit for too long, so aim to serve it right away.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this 15 minute avocado pasta is fantastic as is, it’s also a great base for customization. For readers who enjoy creamy pasta dishes, our Creamy Gnocchi Recipe offers another delightful option. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Add Protein: Stir in some grilled chicken, shrimp, or a can of chickpeas for a more substantial meal. For another quick chicken idea, try serving it alongside our Parmesan Crusted Chicken.
- Stir in Veggies: Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted cherry tomatoes for extra flavor and nutrients. A side of Air Fryer Broccoli also pairs perfectly.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a finely chopped jalapeño to the sauce for a spicy kick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Avocado pasta is best enjoyed fresh, as the sauce can start to brown over time, even with lemon juice. If you need to prep ahead, you can cook the pasta in advance. Prepare the sauce just before you’re ready to serve for the best color and flavor.
The key is using enough acid. This recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, which not only brightens the flavor but also significantly slows down the oxidation process that causes browning. Serving the dish immediately also helps maintain its vibrant green color.
Yes, it’s a very healthy option. Avocados are packed with monounsaturated fats, which are heart-healthy. The sauce is dairy-free and loaded with fresh ingredients, making it a much lighter and more nutrient-dense choice than traditional cream-based pasta sauces.
This recipe is a fantastic base for additions! You can stir in protein like grilled chicken or shrimp, add vegetables like roasted cherry tomatoes, corn, or spinach, or top it with crumbled feta or goat cheese for extra tang.
Long pasta shapes like spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine are excellent choices because they provide plenty of surface area for the creamy sauce to cling to. However, shorter shapes like fusilli or penne also work wonderfully.
More Quick Dinner Recipes
15 Minute Avocado Pasta (Quick & Creamy Recipe)
Discover how to make this delicious and healthy 15 minute avocado pasta. A quick, easy, and creamy recipe perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, made with a simple no-cook avocado sauce, fresh basil, and lemon.
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente.
- Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
- While the pasta is cooking, combine the avocado flesh, minced garlic, fresh basil, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor or high-speed blender.
- Blend until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy.
- Drain the cooked pasta and return it to the pot. Pour the avocado sauce over the top.
- Toss well to combine, adding the reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately, garnished with optional toppings like cherry tomatoes, red pepper flakes, or Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Tip 1: For the creamiest sauce, ensure your avocados are perfectly ripe—they should yield to gentle pressure.
Tip 2: Don't be shy with the lemon juice! It not only adds brightness but is essential for preventing the avocado sauce from turning brown too quickly.
Tip 3: This dish is best served fresh. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one day.
15 Minute Avocado Pasta (Quick & Creamy Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente.
- Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
- While the pasta is cooking, combine the avocado flesh, minced garlic, fresh basil, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor or high-speed blender.
- Blend until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy.
- Drain the cooked pasta and return it to the pot. Pour the avocado sauce over the top.
- Toss well to combine, adding the reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately, garnished with optional toppings like cherry tomatoes, red pepper flakes, or Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Tip 2: Don't be shy with the lemon juice! It not only adds brightness but is essential for preventing the avocado sauce from turning brown too quickly.
Tip 3: This dish is best served fresh. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one day.
We hope you love this quick and creamy avocado pasta! It’s a testament to the fact that you don’t need a lot of time to create a meal that is both incredibly delicious and nourishing. If you try this recipe, please leave a comment below or share a photo of your creation on Pinterest. We can’t wait to see it!
