Veggie Smuggler Avocado Pasta (Print Version)

Creamy avocado-coated pasta blended with zucchini and spinach, hiding tender broccoli and peas for a nutritious meal even picky eaters will love.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 tablespoons lemon juice
07 - 2 cloves garlic
08 - 1/4 cup olive oil
09 - 3-4 tablespoons 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 - 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 tablespoons 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. Serve immediately, topped with Parmesan cheese, extra basil, and a sprinkle of lemon zest if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You get to eat comfort food while secretly consuming two whole servings of vegetables
  • The sauce comes together in under five minutes and tastes impossibly indulgent
  • Kids and adults alike cannot resist the velvety texture and bright flavor
02 -
  • The sauce will darken slightly from oxidation but the flavor remains perfectly fresh
  • Add pasta water gradually because you cannot take it back once the sauce gets too thin
  • Blend the sauce thoroughly or you will have visible vegetable pieces that alert picky eaters
03 -
  • Room temperature avocados blend more smoothly than cold ones from the refrigerator
  • Reserve extra pasta water because the sauce thickens as it sits
  • Add fresh spinach leaves to the hot pasta for extra texture and nutrition

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