Plant-based Creamy Avocado Pasta

Plant-based Creamy Avocado Pasta

My love of creamy pastas made me eager to find a dairy-free option that would satisfy my savory tooth.  I also really love avocados, so decided this would make a great base as a healthier option for rich and creamy pasta – all while avoiding cream, milk and cheese. Due to my minimal cooking skills and overall lack of time in my busy schedule I had to make the recipe quick and easy!

This pasta can be made with your choice of noodles. There are several different alternatives to white pasta now, so your options are vast.

• Whole-wheat, Quinoa, Kamut, Spelt
• Spiralized vegetables – such as zucchini, squash, potatoes, beets.
• Black Bean
• Brown Rice
• Soba (buckwheat)
• And so many more!

I made this recipe using traditional Italian pasta noodles as well as organic black bean linguine and I enjoyed both of the dishes. The texture of this vegan sauce is thick and creamy, yet can be thinned out by adding some extra pasta water to the mix. The flavour of this guilt-free sauce is refreshing and is filled with the flavours and nutrients of fresh garlic, fresh basil, and hints of lemon atop the avocado base.  The sauce itself is made in a food processor or blender so requires no cooking at all. Easy Peasy!

• Dairy-free
• Cruelty-free
• Guilt-free

Prep time: 10 mins          Serves 2-3

Ingredients

• 250g dry noodles (of your choice)
• 1 ripe avocado, pitted, skin removed
• 1 large clove of garlic, crushed
• 2 tbsp garlic infused olive oil (or high quality olive oil)
• 1 tsp salt, or to taste
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves, packed
• 1 small lemon, juice
• 1 tsp lemon rind, grated
• Extra fresh basil for serving

Directions

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to package directions.
• While the pasta is cooking, combine all the remaining ingredients in a food processor or blender (I used a bullet and all the ingredients fit). Process until texture is smooth. Approx. 1-2 minutes.
• Drain pasta in a colander, reserving 1 cup in case sauce is too thick. In a medium bowl, add sauce to pasta and toss to combine. Add a bit of the pasta water if needed.
• Garnish with a handful of fresh basil & pepper. Dash with paprika and/or oregano if desired.

Enjoy!