Creamy Avocado & White Bean Pasta with Lemon Zest
A rich, dairy-free pasta dish with a velvety avocado-bean sauce, bright lemon, and fresh herbs for a satisfying vegetarian dinner. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 25 minutes pairs spaghetti, avocados, (15 oz) white beans for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 2 avocados
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 8 oz spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, place 2 avocados, 1 can (15 oz) white beans, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1/2 tsp salt in a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed, adding 2-3 tbsp reserved pasta water to adjust consistency.
- Step 3: Toss the drained spaghetti with the avocado-bean sauce until evenly coated, adding more reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a glossy, pourable consistency. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped parsley and serve immediately, optionally topped with 1/4 cup grated parmesan.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Avocado & White Bean Pasta with Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Avocado & White Bean Pasta with Lemon Zest?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Avocado & White Bean Pasta with Lemon Zest?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Avocado & White Bean Pasta with Lemon Zest for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Creamy Avocado & White Bean Pasta with Lemon Zest?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
