Creamy Avocado Lime Pasta (Printable Version)

Delicious pasta dressed with creamy avocado, lime, and fresh cherry tomatoes for a fresh, easy dish.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz spaghetti or linguine

→ Sauce

02 - 2 ripe avocados, pitted and peeled
03 - 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
04 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
05 - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Vegetables & Garnish

10 - 9 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
11 - Zest of 1 lime
12 - Extra grated Parmesan, to serve
13 - Fresh basil leaves, to serve

# 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 the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
02 - Combine avocados, lime juice, olive oil, Parmesan, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
03 - In a large bowl, toss the hot, drained pasta with the avocado sauce. Add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
04 - Gently fold in the halved cherry tomatoes to the pasta mixture.
05 - Serve immediately, garnished with lime zest, extra Parmesan, and fresh basil leaves.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in under 25 minutes, which means you can have a restaurant-quality dinner on the table before anyone gets too hungry.
  • The avocado creates a naturally creamy sauce without any cream, making it feel lighter but still incredibly satisfying.
  • It tastes just as good at room temperature, so it's perfect for meal prep or bringing to a picnic.
02 -
  • The avocado sauce will continue to oxidize and brown if it sits for too long, so make the sauce just before serving and eat it right away.
  • Don't skip reserving the pasta water—it's what keeps the sauce silky instead of letting it become too thick and gluey.
  • If your avocados aren't quite ripe, a gentle squeeze of the lime juice can't fix that, so plan ahead and buy them a day or two before you need them.
03 -
  • Choose avocados that have just reached ripeness—they'll blend into a sauce with the silkiest texture, while overripe ones can turn into something almost grainy.
  • Add the pasta water slowly and taste as you go; you're looking for a consistency that flows slightly when plated, not something thick enough to stand in peaks.

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