Indulge in a symphony of flavors with avocado pesto and zucchini pasta, a vibrant and refreshing dish that tantalizes the taste buds. This culinary creation combines the creaminess of avocado, the zesty tang of basil, and the subtle crunch of zucchini, resulting in a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. The avocado pesto, a vibrant green sauce, adds a luscious richness to the pasta, while the zucchini ribbons provide a delicate sweetness and a touch of crispness. This delectable dish is not only visually appealing but also packed with nutrients, making it a wholesome and satisfying meal. Whether you're a vegetarian seeking a flavorful plant-based option or simply looking for a light and refreshing pasta dish, this avocado pesto with zucchini pasta is sure to become a favorite.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CREAMY AVOCADO PESTO PASTA
The addition of avocado lends a lovely creamy texture to this pesto. The ripe fruit imparts richness to the sauce, while nutty roasted pepitas add a deep toasty flavor. If you can only find raw pepitas, simply toss them with olive oil and salt, then toast in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring, until they start to pop and turn golden brown. Shower the dressed pasta with more crunchy pepitas for a nice contrast to the velvety sauce. Leftover pesto can be refrigerated for two days; press the surface with plastic wrap to avoid discoloration (any browned areas on top should be scraped off before using). The pesto also makes a tasty avocado toast, sandwich spread or crudité dip.
Provided by Kay Chun
Categories dinner, easy, lunch, quick, weeknight, pastas, main course
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse pepitas and garlic until finely chopped. Halve avocado, discard the pit and scoop out flesh. (You should have about 3/4 cup, or 5 ounces.) Add avocado flesh, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to food processor and pulse until chunky.
- Add cheese and basil to food processor. With motor running, drizzle in 1/2 cup water, then drizzle in oil until well blended, scraping down sides as needed. Transfer 2 cups of pesto to a large bowl. Refrigerate any remaining pesto for another use.
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain pasta. Add pasta and pasta water to pesto in large bowl and toss until pasta is nicely coated in sauce.
- Divide pasta among 4 bowls. Top with more pepitas, cheese and basil.
CREAMY AVOCADO PESTO - DELISH!
A creamy pesto without the cream! This pesto sauce is delicious and I guarantee you'll never make it a different way again! Double recipe for a full pound of pasta.
Provided by Nicmic921
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Shrimp
Time 25m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in penne, and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until mostly cooked through, but still firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes. Add shrimp to boiling water and cook until shrimp are bright pink on the outside and the meat is no longer transparent in the center, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain penne and shrimp; transfer back to empty pot.
- Blend avocado, lemon juice, basil, 2 tablespoons Romano cheese, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a food processor until smooth. Add olive oil and pulse until creamy. Remove blade from food processor and stir diced tomatoes into the creamy pesto. Transfer pesto to pot with pasta and shrimp; stir to coat. Serve with about 2 tablespoons Romano cheese, salt, and black pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 479.7 calories, Carbohydrate 50.3 g, Cholesterol 50.6 mg, Fat 24.5 g, Fiber 6.8 g, Protein 16.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.5 g, Sodium 145.2 mg, Sugar 1.5 g
ZUCCHINI PASTA WITH CREAMY AVOCADO PESTO
This spiralized zucchini pasta is tossed in creamy avocado pesto to make a delicious gluten-free dinner!
Provided by Live Eat Learn
Categories Pasta Healthy Quick and Easy Vegetarian Low-Carb Pescatarian Weeknight Dinners Easy Quick Shellfish-Free Full Meal Gluten-Free Egg-Free Soy-Free Food Processor Fish-Free Peanut-Free Tree Nut-Free Grain-Free Sugar-Free Tomato-Free Stove
Time 15m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a food processor, blend Avocado (1), Garlic (1 clove), Fresh Basil (1/2 cup), and Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon) until smooth, then mix in Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (2 tablespoon).
- Add Ground Black Pepper (to taste), 1 tablespoon at a time, until sauce reaches a fluid yet thick consistency. Add Salt (to taste) and Water (to taste).
- Spiralize the Zucchini (2). Saute zoodles on stove over medium-high heat until slightly soft and bright green. Drain excess water.
- In large bowl, toss zoodles with sauce, then top with Parmesan Cheese (to taste). You may not need all of the sauce, so add it until you've reached your liking. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 149 calories, Protein 2.2 g, Fat 13.8 g, Carbohydrate 7.3 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Sugar 2.7 g, Sodium 11.5 mg, SaturatedFat 2.0 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, UnsaturatedFat 10.7 g
Tips:
- Use ripe avocados: The riper the avocados, the creamier and more flavorful your pesto will be.
- Don't overcook the zucchini: Zucchini cooks quickly, so be careful not to overcook it. It should be tender, but still have a slight crunch.
- Add some heat: If you like your pesto spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a serrano pepper.
- Use a variety of herbs: You can use any combination of herbs you like in your pesto. Some popular options include basil, parsley, cilantro, and mint.
- Garnish with Parmesan cheese: A sprinkling of freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a delicious finishing touch to this dish.
Conclusion:
Avocado pesto with zucchini pasta is a light, flavorful, and healthy dish that is perfect for a quick and easy meal. The creamy avocado pesto is tossed with tender zucchini noodles, creating a dish that is both satisfying and nutritious. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious and healthy meal that the whole family will enjoy.
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