Creamy Avocado Penne Pasta
A quick and delicious pasta dish featuring a creamy avocado sauce combined with garlic, spinach, and lemon. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests.
Ingredients
Pasta and Cooking
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups water For boiling pasta
- Salt To taste
Avocado Sauce
- 1 large avocado Ripe
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 green chili green chili (optional) For extra heat
- 1 teaspoon olive oil Optional
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ΒΌ cup water Or as needed to adjust sauce consistency
- Crushed black pepper To taste
- Red chili flakes To taste, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather all the ingredients you need for Creamy Avocado Penne Pasta.
- Chop the garlic, pit and scoop out the avocado, and rinse the baby spinach.
Cooking Pasta
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a pot.
- Once boiling, add a pinch of salt and then add 8 oz of penne pasta.
- Cook until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
- Drain the pasta but reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water for later use.
Making the Sauce
- In a food processor, combine the ripe avocado, garlic cloves, baby spinach, and lemon juice. Add olive oil if using.
- Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy. Adjust thickness by adding reserved pasta water.
- Season the sauce with salt, crushed black pepper, and the optional green chili, blending until well incorporated.
Combining
- In a large bowl or the pot used to cook the pasta, add drained penne and pour the creamy avocado sauce over it.
- Gently toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
- If the pasta seems too dry, add reserved pasta water gradually until desired creaminess is achieved.
Serving
- Serve the Creamy Avocado Penne Pasta warm with a sprinkle of red chili flakes and a drizzle of olive oil or lemon juice.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of water if the sauce thickens.