5.0 from 12 votes
Avocado Pesto Pasta
This creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta is simple to make and full of flavor. The ripe avocado lends it’s smooth and creamy texture and it’s complimented with fresh lemon, hemp seeds and crushed garlic. You’ll end up with a light, yet nutritionally satisfying pesto pasta everyone will enjoy. You can think beyond pasta of course and enjoy this pesto on sandwiches, as a dip for veggies, on pizza, on toast, tossed into veggies or garnished on top of tomato soup!
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 363 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 bunches fresh basil
- 1 small avocado (or 1/2 large)
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice, fresh
- 1 Tbsp. hemp seeds
- 2-3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
- cooked pasta of choice, I used farfalle
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Pro tip: reserve some of pasta water! You can add a little water when mixing the pesto with the pasta to create a creamy sauce, if needed.
- In a food processor, blend all ingredients for the pesto, except the olive oil, together until smooth. Then, slowly stream in the olive oil. Add more olive oil if needed to get desired consistency and adjust any seasonings to your preference.
- Mix the pesto with the cooked pasta until they are coated well, add a little pasta water if needed. Garnish with more Parmesan cheese and black pepper, and enjoy!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Nuts: walnuts, pistachios or almonds are good substitutes for pine nuts.
- Vegan: use nutritional yeast or your favorite vegan Parmesan cheese.
- Storage: pesto will last up to 3-4 days in the fridge.
- To freeze: Pesto can be frozen! Place in ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Pop them out and store in freezer safe baggie for up to 3 months as use as needed.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
363kcal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
33g
(11%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
Monounsaturated Fat
12g
Cholesterol
4mg
(1%)
Sodium
253mg
(11%)
Potassium
315mg
(9%)
Fiber
6g
(24%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
249IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
90mg
(9%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 363
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 363kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 33g | 11% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Cholesterol | 4mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 253mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 315mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 249IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 90mg | 9% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.