Creamy Avocado Cilantro Pasta Quick and Easy Recipe

Name: Creamy Avocado Cilantro Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 12 oz spaghetti or fettuccine; 2 whole ripe avocados, peeled and pitted; 0.5 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 0.25 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons); 0.33 cup extra-virgin olive oil; to taste salt and pepper; 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional); as needed cherry tomatoes, halved (for garnish); as needed extra cilantro leaves (for garnish)

by Ava on August 13, 2025

Looking for a quick, tasty meal that’s both creamy and healthy? You’re in the right place! This Creamy Avocado Cilantro Pasta is not just easy to make, but also packed with nutrients. I’ll guide you through each step, from selecting ripe avocados to mixing up a smooth, flavorful sauce. Whether you’re a busy cook or just want something fresh, this recipe checks all the boxes. Let’s get started!

$- 12 oz spaghetti or fettuccine - 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1/4 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons) - 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for a vegetarian twist) - Cherry tomatoes, halved (for garnish) - Extra cilantro leaves (for garnish) Avocados are rich in healthy fats. They help keep your heart healthy. They also provide fiber, which aids digestion. Cilantro adds a fresh taste and is full of vitamins. It can help lower blood sugar levels. Garlic boosts your immune system and adds flavor. Lemon juice is high in vitamin C and helps with hydration. Olive oil is a great source of healthy fats and antioxidants. You can add different veggies for more texture. Try bell peppers or zucchini for crunch. For protein, consider grilled chicken or chickpeas. You can swap the pasta for gluten-free options like quinoa or brown rice noodles. Want a kick? Add red pepper flakes to the avocado sauce. Experiment with different herbs, like basil or parsley, for a unique twist. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by boiling a large pot of water. Add a good amount of salt to the water. Once it boils, add 12 ounces of spaghetti or fettuccine. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. You want it to be al dente, which means it should be firm to the bite. This usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. When the pasta is ready, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Then, drain the pasta and set it aside in a large bowl. Next, grab your food processor. Add 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted. Then, toss in ½ cup of fresh cilantro leaves, 2 minced garlic cloves, and ¼ cup of lemon juice. Pour in ⅓ cup of extra-virgin olive oil. Blend all these ingredients until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If it feels too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time. Keep blending until you reach your desired consistency. Finally, season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. If you like, mix in ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor. Now, it’s time to bring everything together. In the large bowl with the drained pasta, pour in the creamy avocado sauce. Toss the pasta well to coat it evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little more of the reserved pasta water. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. For a beautiful finish, plate the pasta and top it with halved cherry tomatoes and extra cilantro leaves. Enjoy your creamy avocado cilantro pasta! To pick the best avocados, look for smooth skin. They should feel slightly soft but not mushy. Gently press your thumb on the skin. If it gives a little, it’s ripe. If it feels hard, it’s not ready yet. A dark green color often means ripeness. Avoid avocados with brown spots. They may be overripe or bad inside. To boost flavor, use fresh ingredients. Fresh cilantro adds a bright taste. Fresh garlic gives a nice kick. Use good quality olive oil for richness. Lemon juice adds acidity and balances the creaminess. Taste the sauce before mixing it with pasta. Adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. This ensures a perfect blend. This pasta dish is great for meal prep. You can make the avocado sauce in advance. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. If you want to keep the color, add a little lemon juice on top. Cooked pasta can also be made ahead. Just toss it with the sauce when ready to eat. This will keep it creamy and delicious. Pro Tips Ripe Avocados: Ensure your avocados are perfectly ripe for the creamiest sauce. They should yield slightly to gentle pressure when squeezed. Adjust Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until you achieve your desired creaminess. Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the avocado sauce for an extra kick of flavor. Storage Tips: Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed against the surface to prevent browning. {{image_2}} To make this creamy avocado cilantro pasta vegan, skip the Parmesan cheese. The avocado gives a rich taste on its own. You can add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy. Another option is to use a vegan cream cheese. This keeps the dish creamy and plant-based. If you want to add protein, consider cooked chickpeas or white beans. They mix well with the sauce and keep it light. Grilled chicken or shrimp also works great. Just cook them separately and mix them in with the pasta. This adds flavor and makes the meal more filling. You can switch the spaghetti or fettuccine for different types of pasta. Try whole wheat pasta for more fiber. If you're gluten-free, look for rice or quinoa noodles. They will still taste great with the avocado sauce. Zucchini noodles are another fun option. They are low-carb and add a fresh crunch. To keep your leftover creamy avocado cilantro pasta fresh, place it in an airtight container. Make sure to cool the pasta to room temperature before sealing it. This helps prevent moisture buildup, which can spoil the dish. If you want to save space, you can divide it into smaller portions. This makes it easier to reheat later. Store the container in the fridge. When it’s time to enjoy your leftovers, reheat them gently. You can use a microwave or a stove. If using a microwave, place the pasta in a bowl and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat for one minute at a time, stirring in between. On the stove, add a splash of water or olive oil to the pasta in a pan over low heat. Stir until warm. This will help keep it creamy. The creamy avocado sauce is best eaten fresh. However, if stored properly, you can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. The avocado and cilantro may brown a little, but it will still taste good. The cooked pasta can last about five days in the fridge. Just make sure to store it with the sauce separately if possible to maintain the best texture. Yes, you can make this pasta gluten-free. Use gluten-free spaghetti or fettuccine. Many brands offer great options made from rice or corn. Just cook them according to the package. The creamy avocado sauce works well with any pasta type. To add some heat, mix in red pepper flakes. Start with a small pinch. You can add more if you like it spicier. Another option is to add diced jalapeños to the sauce. Blend them in for a nice kick. If you want a dairy-free option, try nutritional yeast. It gives a cheesy flavor without dairy. You can also skip the cheese altogether. The sauce is still creamy and tasty without it. If you prefer, use vegan Parmesan to keep the flavor. This blog post covered tasty ingredients, step-by-step cooking, and helpful tips. You learned how to choose ripe avocados and ways to store leftovers. Exploring variations opened options for vegan diets and protein boosts. Whether you keep it simple or get creative, this dish can fit many needs. Cooking with fresh ingredients makes meals fun and healthy. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and sharing your dishes with friends.$

Why I Love This Recipe

Quick to Prepare: This creamy avocado pasta can be whipped up in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
Nutritious Ingredients: With avocados and fresh cilantro, this dish is packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and antioxidants that are good for your body.
Versatile Flavor: The combination of garlic, lemon juice, and avocado creates a deliciously rich and zesty sauce that pairs beautifully with any pasta.
Customizable: You can easily adjust the recipe by adding protein, more veggies, or switching up the pasta type to suit your personal preferences.

Ingredients

List of Ingredients

– 12 oz spaghetti or fettuccine

– 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted

– 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed

– 2 cloves garlic, minced

– 1/4 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

– 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

– Salt and pepper to taste

– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for a vegetarian twist)

– Cherry tomatoes, halved (for garnish)

– Extra cilantro leaves (for garnish)

Health Benefits of Key Ingredients

Avocados are rich in healthy fats. They help keep your heart healthy. They also provide fiber, which aids digestion. Cilantro adds a fresh taste and is full of vitamins. It can help lower blood sugar levels. Garlic boosts your immune system and adds flavor. Lemon juice is high in vitamin C and helps with hydration. Olive oil is a great source of healthy fats and antioxidants.

Optional Add-ins and Variations

You can add different veggies for more texture. Try bell peppers or zucchini for crunch. For protein, consider grilled chicken or chickpeas. You can swap the pasta for gluten-free options like quinoa or brown rice noodles. Want a kick? Add red pepper flakes to the avocado sauce. Experiment with different herbs, like basil or parsley, for a unique twist.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooking the Pasta

Start by boiling a large pot of water. Add a good amount of salt to the water. Once it boils, add 12 ounces of spaghetti or fettuccine. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. You want it to be al dente, which means it should be firm to the bite. This usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. When the pasta is ready, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Then, drain the pasta and set it aside in a large bowl.

Making the Avocado Sauce

Next, grab your food processor. Add 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted. Then, toss in ½ cup of fresh cilantro leaves, 2 minced garlic cloves, and ¼ cup of lemon juice. Pour in ⅓ cup of extra-virgin olive oil. Blend all these ingredients until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If it feels too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water a little at a time. Keep blending until you reach your desired consistency. Finally, season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. If you like, mix in ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.

Combining and Serving the Dish

Now, it’s time to bring everything together. In the large bowl with the drained pasta, pour in the creamy avocado sauce. Toss the pasta well to coat it evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little more of the reserved pasta water. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. For a beautiful finish, plate the pasta and top it with halved cherry tomatoes and extra cilantro leaves. Enjoy your creamy avocado cilantro pasta!

Tips & Tricks

How to Choose Ripe Avocados

To pick the best avocados, look for smooth skin. They should feel slightly soft but not mushy. Gently press your thumb on the skin. If it gives a little, it’s ripe. If it feels hard, it’s not ready yet. A dark green color often means ripeness. Avoid avocados with brown spots. They may be overripe or bad inside.

Best Practices for Flavor

To boost flavor, use fresh ingredients. Fresh cilantro adds a bright taste. Fresh garlic gives a nice kick. Use good quality olive oil for richness. Lemon juice adds acidity and balances the creaminess. Taste the sauce before mixing it with pasta. Adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. This ensures a perfect blend.

Making Ahead and Meal Prep

This pasta dish is great for meal prep. You can make the avocado sauce in advance. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. If you want to keep the color, add a little lemon juice on top. Cooked pasta can also be made ahead. Just toss it with the sauce when ready to eat. This will keep it creamy and delicious.

Pro Tips

Ripe Avocados: Ensure your avocados are perfectly ripe for the creamiest sauce. They should yield slightly to gentle pressure when squeezed.
Adjust Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until you achieve your desired creaminess.
Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the avocado sauce for an extra kick of flavor.
Storage Tips: Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed against the surface to prevent browning.

Variations

Vegan-Friendly Modifications

To make this creamy avocado cilantro pasta vegan, skip the Parmesan cheese. The avocado gives a rich taste on its own. You can add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy. Another option is to use a vegan cream cheese. This keeps the dish creamy and plant-based.

Adding Protein Options

If you want to add protein, consider cooked chickpeas or white beans. They mix well with the sauce and keep it light. Grilled chicken or shrimp also works great. Just cook them separately and mix them in with the pasta. This adds flavor and makes the meal more filling.

Alternative Pastas and Noodles

You can switch the spaghetti or fettuccine for different types of pasta. Try whole wheat pasta for more fiber. If you’re gluten-free, look for rice or quinoa noodles. They will still taste great with the avocado sauce. Zucchini noodles are another fun option. They are low-carb and add a fresh crunch.

Storage Info

How to Store Leftovers

To keep your leftover creamy avocado cilantro pasta fresh, place it in an airtight container. Make sure to cool the pasta to room temperature before sealing it. This helps prevent moisture buildup, which can spoil the dish. If you want to save space, you can divide it into smaller portions. This makes it easier to reheat later. Store the container in the fridge.

Reheating Instructions

When it’s time to enjoy your leftovers, reheat them gently. You can use a microwave or a stove. If using a microwave, place the pasta in a bowl and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat for one minute at a time, stirring in between. On the stove, add a splash of water or olive oil to the pasta in a pan over low heat. Stir until warm. This will help keep it creamy.

Shelf Life of Ingredients

The creamy avocado sauce is best eaten fresh. However, if stored properly, you can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. The avocado and cilantro may brown a little, but it will still taste good. The cooked pasta can last about five days in the fridge. Just make sure to store it with the sauce separately if possible to maintain the best texture.

FAQs

Can I make this pasta gluten-free?

Yes, you can make this pasta gluten-free. Use gluten-free spaghetti or fettuccine. Many brands offer great options made from rice or corn. Just cook them according to the package. The creamy avocado sauce works well with any pasta type.

How can I adjust the sauce for spiciness?

To add some heat, mix in red pepper flakes. Start with a small pinch. You can add more if you like it spicier. Another option is to add diced jalapeños to the sauce. Blend them in for a nice kick.

What can I substitute for Parmesan cheese?

If you want a dairy-free option, try nutritional yeast. It gives a cheesy flavor without dairy. You can also skip the cheese altogether. The sauce is still creamy and tasty without it. If you prefer, use vegan Parmesan to keep the flavor.

This blog post covered tasty ingredients, step-by-step cooking, and helpful tips. You learned how to choose ripe avocados and ways to store leftovers. Exploring variations opened options for vegan diets and protein boosts. Whether you keep it simple or get creative, this dish can fit many needs. Cooking with fresh ingredients makes meals fun and healthy. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and sharing your dishes with friend

Creamy Avocado Cilantro Pasta

A delicious and creamy pasta dish made with ripe avocados and fresh cilantro.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
2 whole ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
0.5 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
2 cloves garlic, minced
0.25 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
0.33 cup extra-virgin olive oil
to taste salt and pepper
0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
as needed cherry tomatoes, halved (for garnish)
as needed extra cilantro leaves (for garnish)

Instructions

Begin by cooking the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
In a food processor, combine the avocados, cilantro leaves, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add in some of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Season the avocado sauce with salt and pepper to taste. If using, mix in the grated Parmesan cheese until well blended.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta with the creamy avocado sauce. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add more of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your preferred creaminess.
Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if necessary.
For serving, plate the pasta and top with halved cherry tomatoes and extra cilantro leaves for garnish.

Notes

For a vegetarian twist, add grated Parmesan cheese.

Keyword avocado, cilantro, creamy, pasta, vegetarian