Description
This Avocado Pesto Pasta is a creamy, flavorful Italian-inspired dish that combines ripe avocado with fresh basil and pine nuts to create a rich, dairy-enhanced pesto sauce. Perfect for a quick and satisfying vegetarian main course, it’s easy to prepare with pantry staples and comes together in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta of choice (such as spaghetti or linguine)
Avocado Pesto
- 1 ripe avocado (peeled and pitted)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts (or walnuts)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnish
- Cherry tomatoes for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Prepare the Avocado Pesto: In a food processor, combine the avocado, fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic cloves, lemon juice, and grated Parmesan cheese. Blend until you achieve a smooth mixture.
- Add Olive Oil: With the processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil, blending until the pesto reaches a creamy, smooth consistency.
- Season the Pesto: Taste the pesto and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
- Toss Pasta with Pesto: Place the drained pasta in a large bowl or back in the pot. Add the avocado pesto and toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add small amounts of reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Plate the pesto-coated pasta immediately. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and cherry tomatoes if desired. Enjoy your fresh and creamy avocado pesto pasta!
Notes
- For a vegan version, omit the Parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative.
- You can substitute pine nuts with walnuts or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
- This avocado pesto sauce is best served fresh to prevent browning; if not serving immediately, cover with plastic wrap touching the surface.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
