Avocado Pasta (Vegan)

Name: Avocado Pasta (Vegan)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 oz pasta or noodles (gluten-free or grain-free if needed); 2 medium or large ripe avocados; 1/2 cup fresh basil, packed; 1/4 cup plant-based milk; 3 tbsp olive oil; 3 cloves garlic; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tbsp nutritional yeast; 1/2 tsp salt, or more to taste; 1/4 tsp pepper, or more to taste; 1/4 cup vegan parmesan, for serving

by Kaylie Grace on June 27, 2021

Jump to Recipe· 5 from 1 review

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Avocado pasta is a quick and easy vegan dinner recipe! It’s creamy, flavorful, and ready in just 15 minutes. The avocado sauce is made with healthy ingredients, including fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, and tastes similar to pesto. This pasta dish is a perfect busy weeknight meal for families!

vegan avocado pasta on a white plate with basil and parmesan on top

We all know about avocado toast by now, but have you ever heard of avocado pasta? It is a game changer for avocado lovers! This bright green pasta recipe is light and healthy, yet filling and satisfying. Since it’s loaded with flavor-packed garlic and basil, it has a similar flavor to pesto while remaining entirely nut-free.

This plant-based dish will be your go-to meal after a long day of work. You know those times when you cannot be bothered to spend a whole hour cooking dinner? And it’s tempting to spend a ridiculous amount of money on mediocre food from postmates? Yeah, me too. Try this pasta instead, and thank me later! It’s super easy and ready in 15 minutes from start to finish. You’ll have it plated and set to enjoy faster than you can press “order” on that delivery app. 😉

This avocado pasta is:

Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free
Creamy, savory, and garlicky
Ridiculously quick and easy to make
Fresh and light, but still comforting (a healthy comfort meal)
Made with 10 ingredients using pantry staples
Great for spring and summer
A delicious weeknight meal idea for families!

a fork twirling vegan avocado pasta on a white plate

What is avocado pasta sauce made of?

Avocado: Of course, ripe avocados are the base of this pasta sauce. They are super creamy, bright green, and loaded with health benefits. In particular, avocados are rich in vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, potassium, and healthy fats. Make sure you are using ripe avocados that are soft to the touch.
Basil: Fresh basil has a fragrant scent and flavor. You can add more or less depending on your own preference.
Olive oil: I recommend using a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best results.
Garlic: If you’re a garlic lover, toss in an extra clove for a more pungent flavor. On the contrary, if garlic is not your thing, feel free to remove a clove.
Nutritional yeast: This ingredient is optional, but I strongly suggest including it. Nutritional yeast has a nutty and cheesy flavor. It’s commonly used in dairy-free pasta recipes and loaded with B vitamins.
Plant-based milk: Use unsweetened plant-based milk, such as almond milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk. You can use water instead, but milk creates a creamier consistency and richer flavor.
Lemon juice: Not only does this ingredient add bright and tangy flavor, it also helps to prevent the avocado sauce from turning brown. (Like guac, the sauce will brown if left out for too long.)
Vegan parmesan: Parmesan should be used as a garnish. It elevates the dish, adding texture and a subtle nutty taste.

avocado, basil, garlic, olive oil, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and plant-based milk on a marble board

How to make vegan avocado pasta

For the full ingredients list and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

First, cook pasta according to the package instructions. After, drain the pasta and reserve 1/2 cup of the water.

While the pasta is cooking, add all ingredients to a blender or a food processor. This includes ripe avocados, fresh basil, plant-based milk, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Blend the ingredients until smooth and creamy.

avocados, basil, nutritional yeast, garlic, and olive oil in a food processor

creamy avocado pesto in a food processor

Then, transfer the pasta back into the pot. Add the creamy avocado sauce on top. Gently toss to evenly coat all of the pasta. If needed, add splashes of the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce.

fettuccine pasta in a pot with avocado pesto sauce on top

fettuccine mixed with avocado pesto in a pot

Finally, serve the avocado pasta with vegan parmesan cheese and fresh herbs (like extra basil, parsley, or cilantro). Enjoy!

avocado pasta in a pot beside white plates, sliced avocados, and silverware

Recipe variations

How to make it gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta, like brown rice, chickpea, lentil, or cassava flour varieties. I personally use and recommend chickpea pasta! In addition to being free of gluten, it is naturally packed with plant-based protein. This will leave you feeling fuller and more satisfied.

How to make it oil-free: Replace the olive oil with tahini or cashew butter. Since nut and seed butters are thicker than oil, you will need to thin the sauce with a few tablespoons of water while blending.

Ingredients to add: Boost the pasta with extra protein, fiber, and micronutrients by trying the ideas below.

Protein: Add chickpeas, vegan grilled chicken, or grilled tofu to increase the protein.
Vegetables: Toss in your favorite veggies. I recommend trying it with broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, zucchini, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes.
Greens: Spinach and kale pair well with the avocado sauce. You can add greens to the sauce itself, or stir them into the pasta until wilted. I suggest adding greens over medium-low heat while mixing the pasta and the avocado sauce together.
Cheese: For a cheesy flavor, be sure to sprinkle vegan parmesan over top. You can also try it with dairy-free mozzarella. If you don’t have either, use nutritional yeast.

What to serve it with: I love serving this plant-based pasta recipe with Vegan Garlic Bread! Other tasty options include side salads, bruschetta, roasted vegetables, and dinner rolls.

vegan avocado pasta on two white plates beside a glass of water and silverware

How to store leftover avocado pesto pasta

As always, pasta dishes are best served right after preparing them. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in a sealed container inside the refrigerator. This recipe will keep for up to 3 days.

The pasta will absorb quite a bit of the sauce while stored away, so keep that in mind. Whenever I eat reheat leftovers, I add a drizzle of Cashew Cream Sauce over top. This not only adds flavor, but it also makes leftover noodles less dry!

More vegan pasta recipes

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