Vegan Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad
This vibrant pasta salad combines tender rotini with a luxurious avocado-spinach dressing that coats every noodle in creamy, herb-forward flavor. Sweet peas and corn add pops of color and natural sweetness, while cherry tomatoes provide bright acidity to balance the rich avocado base. The spinach blends seamlessly into the dressing, creating a beautiful green sauce that's both nutritious and indulgent. Perfect for summer picnics, potluck gatherings, or meal prep, this salad holds well chilled and actually improves in flavor as it sits. The combination of fresh and frozen vegetables makes it accessible year-round while maintaining optimal texture and taste.
Ingredients
- 3 oz fresh baby spinach, lightly packed
- 4 Tbsp lemon juice, from 1 large lemon
- 1 clove garlic, sliced
- 3 medium avocados, 2 for dressing, 1 for salad
- 12 oz rotini pastapenne or fusilli1:1gluten-free
same cooking time
- 1 cup frozen sweet peasfresh peas1:1seasonal
blanch for 2 minutes
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 cups baby tomatoes, halvedcherry tomatoes1:1seasonal
same prep
- 1 tsp sea salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Cook pasta according to package instructions
- 2
Add frozen peas and corn during the last 4 minutes of cooking until crisp tender
- 3
Rinse pasta mixture under cold water to chill and drain well
- 4
Transfer pasta to large mixing bowl
- 5
Combine half the spinach, 2 quartered avocados, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper in food processor
- 6
Pulse until blended then add remaining spinach and blend until smooth
- 7
Add avocado dressing to pasta along with halved tomatoes and remaining sliced avocado
- 8
Toss until evenly coated and season to taste
Tips
Chill the pasta completely with cold water to prevent the avocado dressing from becoming too warm and losing its bright color
Add a squeeze of extra lemon juice if the salad sits for more than 2 hours to maintain the avocado's vibrant green color
Good to Know
Refrigerate up to 3 days in airtight container
Can be made 1 day ahead - add extra lemon juice before serving
Serve chilled or at room temperature
Common Mistakes
Don't skip chilling the pasta or the warm noodles will make the avocado dressing brown
Toss gently to avoid mashing the avocado pieces
Substitutions
Gluten-Free Swaps
same cooking time
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make this without a food processor?
Yes, mash the avocados with a fork and finely chop the spinach, though the texture won't be as smooth and creamy.
How long will this keep in the refrigerator?
The salad stays fresh for up to 3 days, though you may need to add extra lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
Can I freeze this pasta salad?
No, avocado and pasta salads don't freeze well as the texture becomes mushy and watery when thawed.