Healthy pasta recipe: Dairy-free, 15-minute creamy avocado pasta

Normally when we think of creamy pasta sauce we think of unhealthy, saturated fat-laden, cream-based pastas, but I say it’s time that we re-think this idea. Today I’m sharing with you the most popular recipe on Oh She Glows, my 15-minute creamy avocado pasta. This creamy pasta doesn’t contain a lick of dairy, but your guests won’t be the wiser.

Instead of heavy cream, I used heart-healthy avocado processed with a touch of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and fresh basil. The result is an incredibly rich and indulgent pasta sauce, while remaining healthy at the same time. Avocado is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, vitamin B5, and potassium (source). Adding to the appeal, it takes just 15 minutes to whip up so it’s perfect for those busy evenings when you don’t know what to make.

15-minute creamy avocado pasta

Creamy, thick, and rich with lots of garlic flavour and a hint of lemon. The avocado works wonderfully in this recipe to create a sauce so creamy you'll think there is cream hiding in there.

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:
• 1 medium ripe avocado, pitted
• 1/2 lemon, juiced + lemon zest to garnish
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, packed
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4-1/2 tsp kosher salt, to taste
• 2 servings of pasta
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:
1. Bring several cups of water to a boil in a medium sized pot. Add in your pasta, reduce heat to medium, and cook about 8-10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, make the sauce by placing the garlic cloves, lemon juice, and olive oil into a food processor. Process until smooth and scrape down sides of the bowl. Now add in the pitted avocado, basil, and salt. Process until smooth and creamy. You can add a touch of water or oil if necessary.
3. When pasta is cooked, drain in a strainer and place pasta into a large bowl. Pour on sauce and toss until fully combined. Garnish with lemon zest and black pepper. Serve immediately.
Please note: This sauce does not reheat well due to the avocado. Please serve immediately.

Angela Liddon is the creator of Oh She Glows — a popular healthy vegan recipe website receiving over 1.6 million page views a month — and one of Chatelaine's Women of the Year 2011. Angela’s passion for healthy vegan food is contagious and she’s eager to show others that vegan (and often gluten-free) food can blow your taste buds away.