This delightful spaghetti dish combines the creamy richness of avocado with the zesty brightness of lemon. It's a quick and easy recipe that brings a refreshing twist to your usual pasta night, making it perfect for a light yet satisfying meal.
While most of the ingredients in this recipe are common, you might need to pay special attention to the avocados. Ensure they are ripe for the best creamy texture. Additionally, fresh lemons are essential for the zest and juice, which add a vibrant flavor to the dish. If you don't have olive oil at home, make sure to pick up a good quality one as it enhances the overall taste.
Ingredients For Avocado & Lemon Zest Spaghetti
Spaghetti: The base of the dish, providing a hearty and satisfying texture.
Avocados: Adds a creamy and rich texture, making the sauce luscious.
Lemon: Both the zest and juice are used to add a fresh and tangy flavor.
Garlic: Provides a fragrant and savory depth to the dish.
Olive oil: Used to sauté the garlic and coat the spaghetti, adding a smooth and rich flavor.
Salt: Enhances the overall taste and balances the flavors.
Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and complexity to the dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When mashing the avocados, ensure they are perfectly ripe for a creamy texture. To check for ripeness, gently press the skin; it should yield slightly but not be too soft. For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the olive oil and garlic mixture. This will give the dish a subtle kick that complements the lemon zest and juice.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Spaghetti - Substitute with zucchini noodles: For a low-carb and gluten-free option.
Spaghetti - Substitute with whole wheat pasta: For a healthier, fiber-rich alternative.
Ripe avocados - Substitute with Greek yogurt: For a creamy texture with added protein.
Ripe avocados - Substitute with mashed peas: For a similar creamy texture and a different flavor profile.
Lemon zest - Substitute with lime zest: For a similar citrusy flavor with a slight twist.
Lemon zest - Substitute with orange zest: For a sweeter, less tangy citrus flavor.
Lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: For a similar acidity and citrus flavor.
Lemon juice - Substitute with white wine vinegar: For a tangy acidity that complements the dish.
Minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: For a similar garlic flavor in a more convenient form.
Minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: For a milder, slightly sweet onion-garlic flavor.
Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: For a similar healthy fat content and neutral flavor.
Olive oil - Substitute with coconut oil: For a slightly sweet and tropical flavor.
Salt - Substitute with soy sauce: For a salty flavor with added umami.
Salt - Substitute with sea salt: For a more natural and mineral-rich option.
Black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: For a similar heat with a slightly different flavor.
Black pepper - Substitute with red pepper flakes: For a spicier kick.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Dish
- Allow the spaghetti to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the pasta soggy.
- Transfer the avocado mixture and spaghetti into an airtight container. Make sure the container is large enough to avoid squishing the pasta.
- For short-term storage, place the container in the refrigerator. The dish will stay fresh for up to 2 days. Note that avocado may darken slightly but will still be safe to eat.
- For longer storage, consider freezing. Portion the spaghetti into individual servings and place them in freezer-safe bags or containers. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the containers with the date to keep track of freshness. The spaghetti can be frozen for up to 1 month.
- When ready to eat, thaw the spaghetti in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of olive oil or a bit of water to help loosen the pasta.
- If the avocado mixture appears too thick after reheating, mix in a little more lemon juice or olive oil to restore its creamy texture.
- Avoid reheating in the microwave, as this can cause the avocado to become overly mushy and lose its vibrant flavor.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Place a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Add a splash of olive oil to the pan.
- Add the leftover spaghetti to the pan and toss gently.
- Stir occasionally until the spaghetti is heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
- If the avocado mixture seems too thick, add a tablespoon of water or vegetable broth to loosen it up.
Microwave Method:
- Place the leftover spaghetti in a microwave-safe dish.
- Add a splash of water or vegetable broth to keep it from drying out.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent.
- Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Check the temperature and continue heating in 30-second intervals if needed.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover spaghetti in an oven-safe dish.
- Add a splash of water or vegetable broth to keep it moist.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Stir halfway through to ensure even heating.
Double Boiler Method:
- Fill a pot with a few inches of water and bring it to a simmer.
- Place a heatproof bowl over the pot, ensuring it doesn't touch the water.
- Add the leftover spaghetti to the bowl.
- Stir occasionally until the spaghetti is heated through, about 10-15 minutes.
- This method helps to gently reheat without drying out the avocado mixture.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large pot: Used to cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
Colander: Essential for draining the cooked spaghetti.
Pan: Used to heat the olive oil and cook the minced garlic until fragrant.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for tossing the spaghetti with the garlic and oil in the pan.
Mixing bowl: Needed to mash the avocados and mix in the lemon zest and juice.
Fork: Useful for mashing the avocados smoothly.
Zester: Required to zest the lemon for added flavor.
Juicer: Handy for extracting the juice from the lemon.
Knife: Necessary for mincing the garlic cloves.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for mincing the garlic.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the olive oil accurately.
Salt and pepper shakers: For seasoning the avocado mixture to taste.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Mash the avocados and zest the lemon while the spaghetti is cooking to save time.
Use pre-minced garlic: Opt for store-bought minced garlic to cut down on prep time.
Cook pasta efficiently: Boil water in an electric kettle first, then pour it into the pot to speed up the spaghetti cooking process.
One-pan method: Combine the spaghetti and avocado mixture directly in the pan to reduce dishwashing.
Season smartly: Mix salt and pepper into the avocado mixture beforehand for even seasoning.
Avocado & Lemon Zest Spaghetti
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 400 g Spaghetti
- 2 Avocados ripe
- 1 Lemon zested and juiced
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
Instructions
- 1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- 2. In a pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- 3. Add the cooked spaghetti to the pan. Toss to coat with the garlic and oil.
- 4. In a bowl, mash the avocados and mix in the lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper.
- 5. Add the avocado mixture to the spaghetti and toss until well combined. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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