Are you ready to elevate your pasta game with a dish that's not only delicious but also almost vegan? Dive into the creamy, dreamy world of "Almost Vegan Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta"! This vibrant Italian-inspired recipe combines the lusciousness of ripe avocados with the fresh zest of basil and a hint of garlic, creating a pesto sauce that's as nutritious as it is indulgent. In just 25 minutes, you can whip up a meal that will impress your family and friends, leaving them wondering how something so rich can be so good for you. Ready to tantalize your taste buds? Let’s get cooking!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 oz pasta of choice
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Choose your preferred pasta - whole wheat, gluten-free, or traditional wheat pasta works well.
- While water is heating, prepare the pesto sauce. Cut ripe avocados in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a food processor or high-powered blender.
- Add fresh basil leaves, peeled garlic cloves, pine nuts, nutritional yeast, fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the blender with the avocado.
- Pulse and blend the ingredients until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. The consistency should be thick but spreadable.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Drain the pasta and return it to the warm pot. Immediately add the avocado pesto sauce, stirring gently to coat the pasta evenly.
- If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to achieve desired creaminess.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with extra basil leaves, a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, or toasted pine nuts for added texture.
Tips
- Choose Your Pasta Wisely: Whole wheat, gluten-free, or traditional wheat pasta all work beautifully in this recipe. Pick your favorite to suit your dietary preferences!
- Perfect Avocado Selection: Ensure your avocados are perfectly ripe for the creamiest pesto. They should yield slightly to gentle pressure when squeezed.
- Pine Nuts Toasting: For an extra depth of flavor, consider toasting the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until golden brown. Just keep an eye on them to prevent burning!
- Adjusting Consistency: If your pesto sauce is too thick, don’t hesitate to add a splash of the reserved pasta water. This will help achieve that perfect creamy texture.
- Garnish for Greatness: Elevate your dish by garnishing with extra fresh basil leaves, a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, or some toasted pine nuts for a delightful crunch.
- Make it Your Own: Feel free to experiment by adding other ingredients to the pesto, such as spinach or arugula for added greens, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick of heat!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 480kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
