Description
This creamy Avocado Pasta Salad is a refreshing, wholesome dish made with ripe avocados, fresh basil, spinach, and cherry tomatoes. It’s tossed with pasta and finished with toasted pine nuts for a satisfying texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large ripe avocados
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces pasta (orecchiette, penne, or fusilli)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a food processor.
- Add basil leaves, lemon juice, garlic cloves, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Blend until completely smooth, about 1–2 minutes, scraping down sides as needed.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Return the drained pasta to the pot over low heat. Add the avocado sauce and toss gently to coat.
- Gradually add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes and spinach, tossing until the spinach begins to wilt slightly.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts before serving.
Notes
- Use only ripe avocados for the creamiest sauce.
- To toast pine nuts, heat in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring often.
- This dish is best served immediately, as the avocado sauce can darken over time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling, Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Avocado pasta salad, vegan pasta salad, avocado basil sauce, healthy lunch, easy summer pasta