15-Minute Creamy Avocado & Spinach Pasta
A vibrant, nutrient-dense, and incredibly creamy vegan pasta that feels indulgent but comes together in just 15 minutes. The secret is a simple no-cook sauce made from ripe avocado, fresh spinach, and a touch of lemon, blended into a silky-smooth coating for your favorite pasta. It's the perfect solution for a busy weeknight when you crave something both healthy and satisfying.
Ingredients
- 8 oz linguine or fettuccine pasta
- 1 large ripe avocado pitted and peeled
- 2 cups fresh spinach packed
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 juice of a lemon
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor
- ½ tsp salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper or to taste
- ½ cup reserved pasta water hot
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
- Reserve Water: Just before draining, carefully scoop out and reserve at least 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. This is the key to a creamy sauce!
- Blend the Sauce: While the pasta cooks, add the avocado, spinach, minced garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper to a high-speed blender.
- Emulsify: Pour ½ cup of the hot reserved pasta water into the blender with the other sauce ingredients. Blend on high for 30-60 seconds, or until the sauce is completely smooth, creamy, and bright green.
- Combine and Serve: Drain the cooked pasta and return it to the warm pot. Pour the avocado sauce over the pasta and toss thoroughly to coat every strand. If the sauce seems too thick, add another splash of reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Garnish: Serve immediately, garnished with optional halved cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
Notes
- Pasta Water is Essential: Do not skip reserving the hot pasta water. Its starchiness helps the sauce cling to the noodles and makes it incredibly creamy without any dairy.
- Serve Immediately: This sauce is best enjoyed fresh. The avocado can oxidize and change color if left to sit for too long. A fresh squeeze of lemon juice just before serving can help keep it vibrant.
- Ripe Avocado is Key: Use a soft, ripe avocado for the creamiest texture and best flavor. Hard, unripe avocados will result in a clumpy, bitter sauce.