Description

This creamy avocado pasta recipe offers a luscious, dairy-infused sauce made from ripe avocados, cream cheese, and hemp seeds, blended to silky perfection. Enhanced with fresh cilantro, garlic, lemon juice, and a touch of serrano chili for mild heat, it’s tossed with al dente pasta, cherry tomatoes, and peppery baby arugula. Quick to prepare and perfect as a wholesome, flavorful meal for four, this vibrant dish balances fresh ingredients and creamy textures for a satisfying vegetarian pasta experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Avocado Sauce

2 ripe avocados
½ cup (8 g) 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 to thin sauce)
1 tablespoon olive oil

Pasta and Toppings

16 ounce (454 g) package pasta of your choice
½ pint (237 ml) cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups (40 g) baby arugula or greens of your choice
Hemp seeds, for topping

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Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining, then set pasta aside.
Prepare the avocado sauce: In a blender, combine the avocados, cilantro, hemp seeds, garlic, lemon juice, cream cheese, serrano chili, black pepper, salt, milk (or reserved pasta water), and olive oil. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
Toss pasta with sauce: Return the cooked pasta to the pot or place in a large bowl. Pour the creamy avocado sauce over the pasta and toss well to ensure all noodles are evenly coated. Use reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky, glossy sauce consistency.
Add fresh vegetables: Gently fold in the halved cherry tomatoes and baby arugula (or other greens). Toss until they are evenly distributed and slightly wilted by the warmth of the pasta.
Serve: Transfer the pasta to serving bowls or plates. Top with extra hemp seeds, a pinch of black pepper, and an additional drizzle of olive oil if desired. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese with a vegan alternative and use plant-based milk.
Adjust the serrano chili amount to control the level of heat in the sauce.
Reserved pasta water helps to thin the sauce and create a glossy texture.
Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley for extra flavor variations.
This pasta is best served immediately to enjoy the creamy texture and fresh greens.