Delicious & Healthy: Easy Pasta with Light Avocado Cream Sauce for Any Occasion
(Special thanks to the California Avocado Commission for sponsoring this delightful recipe!)
Get ready to discover your new favorite pasta dish! We’re incredibly excited to share this recipe for Pasta with Light Avocado Cream Sauce – a dish so utterly delicious, versatile, and deceptively simple that it’s bound to become a staple in your kitchen. It’s truly a contender for the best pasta dinner ever, offering a luxurious creamy texture and vibrant flavor without the heaviness often found in traditional cream sauces. Whether you’re planning a quick, wholesome weeknight meal or preparing a show-stopping dish for special guests, this recipe promises to impress with minimal effort and maximum taste.
Embracing the Goodness of California Avocados
For the past several months, I’ve had the immense pleasure of collaborating with the California Avocado Commission, dedicating my time to creating and sharing a variety of delicious recipes centered around one of nature’s most perfect fruits: the avocado. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a more fun and inspiring job! Avocados are not just incredibly nutritious, packed with healthy monounsaturated fats, essential vitamins (like K, C, B6, E, and folate), and vital minerals (such as potassium); they’re also wonderfully versatile. Their unique creamy texture and rich, buttery flavor can elevate everything from simple toasts and vibrant salads to, as you’re about to discover, exquisitely light yet satisfying pasta sauces. Using fresh California avocados ensures you’re getting peak flavor and quality.
‘Dinner En Green’: A Fresh Take on Entertaining
This month, our culinary theme is ‘dinner en green.’ You might be familiar with the elegant ‘dinner en blanc‘ parties – large, chic gatherings where guests and decor are all adorned in white, creating a sophisticated and ethereal dining experience. We decided to put a vibrant and fresh twist on this classic concept by celebrating the beautiful, lush green of avocados! Imagine hosting a party where every dish on the table bursts with fresh, natural green hues, culminating in a feast that delights both the eyes and the palate. It sounds incredibly fun and engaging, doesn’t it? It’s a wonderful way to highlight the natural beauty and deliciousness of green ingredients, especially the star of our show, the avocado.
While I absolutely adore cooking and sharing recipes, I confess that hosting large dinner parties can sometimes push me a little out of my comfort zone. So, this month’s theme presented a wonderful opportunity to embrace a new challenge and dive headfirst into entertaining. Luckily, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the spirit of a “dinner en green” celebration!
My Personal ‘Dinner En Green’ Experience
Just last weekend, my parents and in-laws happened to be in town to celebrate my son’s birthday, providing the perfect occasion for my inaugural dinner en green party. Naturally, the undisputed star ingredient of the evening was none other than fresh, delicious California Avocados! I wanted to showcase their versatility and vibrant color in a truly memorable dish.
For the main course, I decided to serve this spectacular Pasta with Light Avocado Cream Sauce. And let me tell you, the outcome was absolutely beyond my wildest expectations. I must admit, I initially harbored a slight nervousness, wondering if the combination of spinach and avocado might result in a somewhat bland or overly “healthy” flavor that wouldn’t excite my guests. Oh, how delightfully wrong I was! This avocado cream sauce is the complete opposite of boring. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures – incredibly creamy, wonderfully tangy from the lemon juice, and exceptionally smooth. Each bite is bursting with freshness, a subtle richness, and a depth of flavor that is truly sensational. I was so proud to serve this dish, which looked as good as it tasted, and honestly, I’m already counting down the days until I can make it again! It’s that good.
Crafting the Perfect Light Avocado Cream Sauce: Flavor and Texture
What makes this avocado cream sauce so special and stand out from traditional, heavy pasta sauces? It’s all about balancing the natural creaminess of perfectly ripe California avocados with a bright, refreshing tang from fresh lemon juice, complemented by the subtle earthy notes of packed baby spinach. Unlike many heavy, dairy-laden sauces that can feel rich and indulgent but also somewhat overwhelming, this avocado-based alternative feels wonderfully lighter on the palate while still delivering an incredibly satisfying, rich, and full-bodied experience. The fat-free evaporated milk contributes to its silky smooth texture, ensuring that creamy mouthfeel without adding excessive calories or saturated fat, making it a healthier choice you can truly feel good about.
The flavor profile of this sauce is unexpectedly complex and captivating for such a simple list of ingredients. The fresh lemon juice acts as a crucial counterpoint, cutting through the richness of the avocado and providing a refreshing zest that brightens every mouthful. A touch of garlic powder adds an essential aromatic depth, enhancing the savory notes of the spinach. And for those who appreciate a hint of warmth and excitement, a pinch of cayenne pepper introduces a subtle kick that awakens the taste buds without being overly spicy. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability; adjusting the seasonings to your personal preference is key – a little more salt to enhance the overall taste, an extra dash of pepper, or even a bit more cayenne can truly elevate the sauce to your ideal perfection. The result is a sauce that is both comforting and invigorating, a true culinary delight.
Choosing Your Pasta: A Versatile Canvas
For my dinner en green party, I specifically opted for linguine pasta. I simply adore the way the flat, broad noodles gracefully capture and hold every luscious drop of the vibrant avocado cream sauce, offering a delightful and consistent texture with each forkful. However, the true beauty and appeal of this avocado cream sauce lie in its incredible versatility; it genuinely pairs beautifully with almost any pasta shape you prefer or have on hand. Imagine it coating delicate angel hair pasta for an even lighter and more elegant bite, or clinging to the ridges of hearty rigatoni or penne, ensuring that every nook and cranny is filled with creamy goodness. Classic fettuccine would also be an excellent choice, mirroring the linguine’s ability to embrace the sauce. Don’t hesitate to experiment with your personal favorite pasta – whether it’s spirals, shells, or bows, you really can’t go wrong. Each shape will offer a slightly different delightful experience, all while showcasing the incredible flavor of the sauce.
An Effortless Yet Elegant Culinary Triumph
The feedback from my family was overwhelmingly positive; my parents and in-laws absolutely raved about the dish, with compliments flowing freely throughout the evening. A special shout-out is due to my wonderful mother-in-law, who not only enthusiastically assisted me in preparing this meal but also played a significant role in setting up the most gorgeous, green-themed dinner table. Her touch truly brought the “dinner en green” vision to life. The vibrant, almost luminous green of the cream sauce itself, a natural hue courtesy of the fresh spinach and perfectly ripe avocados, was truly stunning. Serving bowls of this visually appealing pasta to my guests filled me with such pride; it looked incredibly fancy and sophisticated, giving the impression that I had spent hours meticulously crafting a gourmet meal in the kitchen.
But here’s the best part, the little secret that makes this recipe a true gem: it’s truly so very easy to make. With only a handful of readily available ingredients, most of which you might already have, and a preparation time that’s remarkably quick (seriously, it comes together in under 30 minutes!), this dish is a true weeknight warrior. It effortlessly transforms from a quick family dinner into an elegant meal perfect for entertaining. You absolutely don’t need to be an expert chef or possess advanced culinary skills to create something this impressive and delicious. It’s accessible to everyone, ensuring a delightful cooking experience and an even more delightful dining experience.
Customizing Your Avocado Pasta Experience for Every Palate
This pasta dish is exceptionally versatile and incredibly delicious on its own as a vegetarian delight, offering a rich, creamy, and satisfying meal that even meat-eaters will adore. However, for those who prefer to add a protein boost or simply enjoy a more robust dish, it’s incredibly adaptable. Cooked shrimp, grilled chicken strips, or even pan-seared scallops would be magnificent additions, each contributing another layer of flavor and substance. Simply prepare your protein of choice separately and gently toss it with the pasta and creamy avocado sauce just before serving. This flexibility makes it perfect for catering to different dietary preferences or simply changing up your meal throughout the week to keep things exciting.
Beyond protein, you can also consider incorporating other fresh green vegetables for an even more nutrient-packed and visually appealing dish. Lightly steamed asparagus spears, blanched broccoli florets, tender snap peas, or even sweet green peas could be beautifully folded into the pasta for extra texture, vitamins, and a deeper green hue. A generous sprinkle of fresh herbs like chopped basil or fragrant parsley at the very end would also brighten the flavors beautifully, adding an aromatic finish. The possibilities are truly endless, allowing you to tailor this recipe to your exact tastes, whatever fresh produce you have on hand, and any specific dietary needs. So go ahead, experiment and make this fantastic Light Avocado Cream Sauce Pasta truly your own. It’s easy enough for a busy weeknight, yet sophisticated and impressive enough to be the elegant centerpiece of your very own dinner en green party. Your guests, and most importantly, your taste buds, will undoubtedly thank you!
Pasta with Light Avocado Cream Sauce
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Ingredients
- 2 large California Avocados
- 1 cup packed baby spinach
- 1 1/4 cup fat-free evaporated milk plus more if needed by tablespoon
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. ground pepper
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne or more to taste
- 1 pound linguine or other pasta,
- shaved parmesan for serving
- cracked black pepper for serving
Instructions
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In a blender or food processor, puree avocados, spinach, evaporated milk and lemon juice. Pour mixture into saucepan and heat on medium-low. Add in salt, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne. Taste and add seasonings to taste.
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Meanwhile, heat salted water in a large pot and cook linguine or other pasta per package directions. Drain water from pasta.
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When avocado mixture is warm and heated through toss with drained pasta and serve with cracked black pepper and shaved parmesan. Enjoy!
Notes
(Nutrition facts include regular pasta, but you can save more calories by using whole wheat or other lower calorie/carb kinds)
Nutrition
More Delicious Pasta Recipes You’ll Love:
If you’re a fan of comforting and flavorful pasta dishes, here are a few more recipes from my kitchen that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. Each one offers a unique twist and is perfect for adding variety and excitement to your weekly meal plan!
Creamy One-Pan Chicken Asparagus Pasta
This delightful one-pan pasta is an absolute lifesaver on busy evenings. It combines tender chicken pieces, fresh and crisp asparagus, and pasta all cooked together in a rich, velvety creamy sauce. The best part? Everything comes together in a single pan, which means minimal cleanup! It’s a fantastic option for a wholesome and quick family dinner, especially in the spring when asparagus is in its prime.
Cajun Chicken Pasta
If you crave a dish with a bit of a spicy kick and deep, savory flavors, my Cajun Chicken Pasta is an absolute must-try. Featuring succulent chicken, earthy mushrooms, and colorful bell peppers, all generously bathed in a robust and creamy Cajun-spiced sauce, it’s the ultimate comfort food. This flavorful pasta is perfect for warming you up on a cool evening and offers a wonderful, complex blend of spices and satisfying textures that will transport your taste buds straight to the bayou.
Pasta Primavera
For a lighter, yet incredibly satisfying, vegetable-forward option, you truly can’t go wrong with Pasta Primavera. This recipe is generously packed with an abundance of fresh, seasonal vegetables and features a lighter, vibrant sauce that allows the natural flavors of the produce to shine through. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a medley of garden-fresh flavors in a wholesome, healthy, and satisfying meatless dinner that’s perfect for any time of year.
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