Veggie Smuggler Avocado Pasta (Printable)
Creamy avocado pasta with hidden vegetables for a quick, healthy meal.
# What you'll need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz whole wheat or regular spaghetti or linguine
→ Avocado Sauce
02 - 2 ripe avocados, pitted and peeled
03 - 1 small zucchini, roughly chopped
04 - 1 cup baby spinach (30 g)
05 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (15 g)
06 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
07 - 2 cloves garlic
08 - 1/4 cup olive oil (60 ml)
09 - 3-4 tbsp unsweetened plant-based milk or dairy milk
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Hidden Veggies
11 - 1 cup broccoli florets, steamed (100 g)
12 - 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed (70 g)
→ Garnish
13 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese or vegan alternative (25 g)
14 - Chopped fresh basil (optional)
15 - Lemon zest (optional)
# How to make it:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
02 - While the pasta cooks, steam the broccoli florets until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside.
03 - In a blender or food processor, combine avocados, zucchini, spinach, basil, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and 3 tbsp milk. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding more milk if needed for a silky sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, toss the hot drained pasta with the avocado sauce, broccoli, and peas. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta well.
05 - Serve immediately, topped with Parmesan cheese, extra basil, and a sprinkle of lemon zest if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You get to eat creamy pasta sauce that is actually mostly vegetables and healthy fats
- Perfect for those nights when you need dinner on the table in under thirty minutes
02 -
- The avocado sauce will thicken as it sits, so always have that reserved pasta water ready to loosen it back up
- Make sure your avocados are perfectly ripe because underripe ones will leave you with a chunky, bitter sauce
03 -
- Peel your zucchini completely before blending, otherwise green flecks might give away your hidden vegetable secret
- Room temperature avocados blend into a smoother sauce than cold ones from the refrigerator