Smashed Avocado Creamy Pasta (Printable)

Creamy avocado coats al dente pasta with bright lime, garlic, and gentle heat

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 7 ounces (200 grams) spaghetti or linguine
02 - 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)

→ Avocado Mixture

03 - 2 ripe avocados
04 - 1 lime, juiced and zested
05 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
07 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (plus more for garnish)
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

09 - Fresh basil or cilantro leaves (optional)
10 - Grated Parmesan or vegan alternative (optional)
11 - Additional lime wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
02 - Halve and pit the avocados. Scoop the flesh into a large bowl and mash until mostly smooth.
03 - Add lime juice and zest, olive oil, minced garlic, chili flakes, salt, and pepper to the mashed avocado. Mix thoroughly to combine.
04 - Add the drained warm pasta to the avocado mixture. Toss to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water gradually until a creamy sauce forms.
05 - Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately garnished with fresh herbs, extra chili flakes, Parmesan or its vegan alternative, and lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce creates this incredibly silky coating that clings to every strand of pasta
  • You get all the creaminess of a heavy sauce without any cream or butter
  • The lime and chili bring this bright, fresh energy that wakes up your whole palate
  • Its ready in about the time it takes to boil water and cook pasta
02 -
  • The pasta water is non-negotiable, that starchy liquid is what transforms the avocado into a real sauce
  • Work quickly once the pasta is drained because the residual heat helps everything meld together
  • This dish really doesnt reheat well, so plan to eat it all right after making
03 -
  • Have all your ingredients prepped before you start cooking, everything moves fast once the pasta is done
  • Room temperature avocados mash more easily and blend better with the warm pasta
  • Don't skip the lime zest, it contains all those aromatic oils that make the sauce sing
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