Veggie Smuggler Avocado Pasta (Print)

Creamy avocado pasta sauce hides zucchini, spinach, and broccoli for a nutritious 30-minute dinner kids will love.

# Ingredient list:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz whole wheat or regular spaghetti or linguine

→ Avocado Sauce

02 - 2 ripe avocados, pitted and peeled
03 - 1 small zucchini, roughly chopped
04 - 1 cup baby spinach
05 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
06 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
07 - 2 cloves garlic
08 - 1/4 cup olive oil
09 - 3-4 tbsp unsweetened plant-based milk or dairy milk
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Hidden Veggies

11 - 1 cup broccoli florets, steamed
12 - 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed

→ Garnish

13 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese or vegan alternative
14 - Chopped fresh basil (optional)
15 - Lemon zest (optional)

# Directions:

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 pasta water, then drain.
02 - While the pasta cooks, steam the broccoli florets until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside.
03 - In a blender or food processor, combine avocados, zucchini, spinach, basil, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and 3 tbsp milk. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding more milk if needed for a silky sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, toss the hot drained pasta with the avocado sauce, broccoli, and peas. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta well.
05 - Serve immediately, topped with Parmesan cheese, extra basil, and a sprinkle of lemon zest if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in minutes and tastes impossibly creamy without any dairy
  • You can pack in handfuls of vegetables that even the most skeptical eaters will happily devour
02 -
  • Avocado sauce oxidizes quickly, so make it right before serving and do not try to store it for longer than a day
  • The pasta water is crucial for achieving that restaurant-style silky coating that makes every bite perfect
03 -
  • Use the deepest green avocados you can find for the most vibrant colored sauce
  • A high-speed blender makes all the difference in achieving that restaurant-quality silky texture

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