I love making avocado pesto pasta on days when I want something cozy, fresh, and easy without standing over the stove forever. This recipe is one of my favorites because it's creamy, bright, and honestly so good.
What is Avocado Pesto Pasta?
Avocado pesto pasta is a creamy pasta dish made by blending ripe avocado with basil, garlic, lemon juice, pine nuts, parmesan, and olive oil into a smooth sauce. It has all the herby, nutty flavor you love in pesto, but with an extra rich and velvety texture from the avocado.
Why You’ll Love This Avocado Pesto Pasta
- Super creamy: The avocado makes the sauce silky and rich without needing heavy cream.
- Fresh and flavorful: Basil, lemon, garlic, and parmesan give this pasta a bright and savory flavor that tastes so good.
- Quick enough for busy nights: This is the kind of easy dinner that feels special but comes together with simple ingredients.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large Pot
- Colander
- Food Processor Or Blender
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Tongs Or Pasta Spoon
Ingredients
- Pasta: The base of the dish and great for holding onto the creamy avocado pesto sauce. You can use your pasta of choice but I like penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti for this.
- Avocados: Make the sauce extra creamy, rich, and smooth.
- Basil: Gives the sauce that fresh classic pesto flavor.
- Pine Nuts: Add nuttiness and help create a more traditional pesto texture.
- Garlic
- Lemon Juice: Brightens the sauce and helps keep the avocado tasting fresh.
- Olive Oil: Helps blend everything into a smooth and luscious sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, savory flavor and makes the sauce extra delicious.
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Pasta Water: Loosens the sauce and helps it coat the pasta beautifully.
- Toasted Panko Bread Crumbs: Add a crispy topping for extra texture.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: Finishes the pasta with even more savory flavor.
Customizations
- Add protein: Top it with grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy salmon to make it more filling.
- Make it nut free: Swap the pine nuts with sunflower seeds if needed.
- Give it heat: Sprinkle in red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick.
How to Make Avocado Pesto Pasta
Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and generously season it with salt. Cook the pasta until al dente, then reserve some pasta water and drain.
Blend the Avocado Pesto Sauce
Add the avocado, basil, toasted pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, parmesan, salt, black pepper, and part of the pasta water to a food processor or blender.
Blend until smooth, adding more pasta water as needed until the sauce is creamy and silky.
Toss Everything Together
Transfer the sauce to a large pot or skillet over medium-low heat and gently warm it through. Be careful not to overcook it so the sauce keeps its fresh flavor and bright green color.
Add the cooked pasta and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Finish and Serve
Transfer the pasta to serving bowls and top with toasted panko bread crumbs and freshly grated parmesan cheese before serving.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Tips to Make the Perfect Avocado Pesto Pasta
- Use ripe avocados: Soft ripe avocados give you the smoothest and creamiest sauce.
- Toast the pine nuts: It makes the flavor deeper and gives the pesto a better overall taste.
- Do not overheat the sauce: Gentle heat keeps the color bright and the flavor fresh.
- Save extra pasta water: A little extra starchy water helps loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make avocado pesto pasta ahead of time?
It is best fresh, but you can make it a few hours ahead and keep it chilled in the fridge. The color may darken slightly over time, but the lemon juice helps keep it looking fresher.
What pasta shape works best for avocado pesto pasta?
Rigatoni, spaghetti, linguine, and fusilli all work well. Anything that grabs onto the sauce is a great choice.
Can I use another nut instead of pine nuts?
Yes, you can use walnuts, cashews, or even sunflower seeds if you want a more budget-friendly option or need a substitute.
How do I keep the avocado pesto sauce bright green?
Use fresh lemon juice and avoid cooking the sauce over high heat. Just warm it gently before tossing it with the pasta.
Can I make this avocado pesto pasta without parmesan?
Yes, you can leave it out or use a dairy-free parmesan alternative. The flavor will be a little different, but it will still be creamy and tasty.
Related Recipes You’ll Love
Avocado Pesto Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta rigatoni or spaghetti works well too
- 2 medium avocados
- 2 cups basil tightly packed
- ½ cup pine nuts lightly toasted
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 lemon juiced
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup pasta water
Toppings
- Toasted panko bread crumbs
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and generously season it with salt. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente, then reserve about 1 cup of pasta water and drain the pasta.8 oz penne pasta
- Add the avocados, basil, toasted pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper to a food processor or blender. Starting with ½ cup pasta water, blend until smooth, adding a little pasta water at a time to loosen the sauce to a creamy consistency.2 medium avocados, 2 cups basil, ½ cup pine nuts, 2 cloves garlic, 1 lemon, 2 tablespoon olive oil, ½ cup parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon salt, Freshly ground black pepper, 1 cup pasta water
- Transfer the avocado pesto sauce to a large pot over medium-low heat and gently warm the sauce. (The sauce should just be warmed through without cooking it so you don’t lose the beautiful green color!) Add the cooked pasta and stir well to combine. Taste and adjust with more salt and pepper if desired.
- Transfer pasta to serving plates then garnish with toasted panko bread crumbs and freshly grated parmesan cheese.Toasted panko bread crumbs, Freshly grated parmesan cheese
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