Best Creamy Avocado Pesto Recipes

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CREAMY AVOCADO PESTO PASTA



Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta image

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

Kosher salt and black pepper
3/4 cup roasted, salted pepitas, plus more for garnish
1 small garlic clove
1 medium (ripe) avocado
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan (about 3 ounces), plus more for garnish
3 packed cups fresh basil leaves (about 3 ounces), plus more for garnish
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound fusilli or rotini

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!



Creamy Avocado Pesto - Delish! image

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

1 (8 ounce) package penne pasta
¼ pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 avocado, peeled and pitted
½ lemon, juiced
½ cup fresh basil, or more to taste
2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese
2 cloves garlic
salt and ground black pepper to taste
¼ cup olive oil, or as needed
¼ cup diced cherry tomatoes, or more to taste
2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese, or more to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste

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

CREAMY AVOCADO PESTO



Creamy Avocado Pesto image

This creamy pesto is indulgent without being overly rich, thanks to heart-healthy avocado and just a touch of olive oil. Also, since it uses a fresh avocado for its creamy consistency, rather than pricey Parmesan cheese, it's less expensive to make than traditional pesto.

Provided by Gabi Moskowitz

Categories     Condiment/Spread     Side     No-Cook     Vegetarian     Quick & Easy     Basil     Pine Nut     Avocado     Healthy     Vegan     Sugar Conscious     Pescatarian     Paleo     Dairy Free     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes about 1 cup pesto

Number Of Ingredients 9

Total Cost $5
1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
1 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup pine nuts
3 cloves garlic, chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Water as needed
Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • 1. Combine avocado, basil, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor or blender. With machine running, slowly stream in the lemon juice, olive oil, and water as needed to achieve a smooth pesto. Puree until completely blended and creamy.
  • 2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • 3. Use immediately or keep, refrigerated, for up to four hours.

PASTA WITH CREAMY AVOCADO "PESTO" SAUCE



Pasta with Creamy Avocado

This decandent sauce is creamy, buttery and luscious. If you love avocados, then you will enjoy this quick and easy sauce.

Provided by Kathy W

Categories     Other Sauces

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 ripe avocado
1 Tbsp mayonnaise
1/2-1 tsp onion, finely minced
1/2-1 tsp lime juice
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp slivered almonds, lightly toasted and finely chopped
16 oz pasta - your choice
2-3 Tbsp melted butter
grated parmesan

Steps:

  • 1. Sauce: Remove avocado from skin and place in a small bowl. Mash with a fork until fairly smooth - it doesn't have to be perfect. Stir in lime juice, mayonnaise, onion, almonds, salt and pepper. Blend well.
  • 2. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  • 3. Drain and return to pot. Drizzle with melted butter. Mix to coat the pasta then serve up each individual portion.
  • 4. Spoon on a generous dollop of avocado sauce and gently mix. (The heat from the pasta will "melt" the sauce much like any other pesto), sprinkle with parmesan and enjoy.

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