Smashed Avocado Pasta (Print Version)

Creamy pasta featuring mashed avocado, fresh lime, and chili flakes. A vibrant, zesty vegetarian dish ready in just 20 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 7 oz spaghetti or linguine
02 - 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)

→ Avocado Mixture

03 - 2 ripe avocados
04 - 1 lime, juiced and zested
05 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
07 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (plus more for garnish)
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

09 - Fresh basil or cilantro leaves (optional)
10 - Grated Parmesan or vegan alternative (optional)
11 - Additional lime wedges

# 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 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain.
02 - While the pasta cooks, halve and pit the avocados. Scoop the flesh into a large bowl and mash until mostly smooth.
03 - Add lime juice and zest, olive oil, minced garlic, chili flakes, salt, and pepper to the mashed avocado. Mix well to combine.
04 - Add the drained pasta to the avocado mixture while still warm. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until a creamy sauce forms.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately, topped with fresh herbs, extra chili flakes, Parmesan, and lime wedges.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It comes together faster than ordering takeout, and tastes like you spent an hour in the kitchen.
  • The avocado sauce is silky without any cream or butter, so it feels indulgent and light at the same time.
  • You can taste it as you go and tweak the lime, chili, or garlic to match your mood.
02 -
  • The pasta water is not optional, its what turns mashed avocado into a silky sauce that clings instead of clumps.
  • If you let the pasta cool down before mixing, the avocado wont melt into it the same way and youll lose that creamy magic.
  • Avocados brown fast once exposed to air, so dont make this more than ten minutes before you plan to eat it.
03 -
  • Reserve more pasta water than you think you need, its easier to thin the sauce than to thicken it once youve added too much.
  • If your avocados are slightly underripe, a few seconds in the microwave will soften them just enough to mash.
  • Add the garlic raw for a sharp bite, or saute it in olive oil for thirty seconds if you prefer a mellower flavor.
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