What is pesto made of?

Traditionally, pesto is made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. But you can also make it with other herbs and leafy greens, and different oils and cheeses to change up the flavor and texture.

What does pesto taste like?

Pesto is garlicky and has a bright, fresh, herbaceous flavor, with a rich saltiness from the parmesan cheese.

Avocado Pesto Pasta - Hungry Foodie

Name: Avocado Pesto Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 medium ripe avocado, halved and pitted; 3 cloves garlic; 1 cup fresh basil leaves; 3/4 cup fresh spinach leaves or parsley; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup toasted almonds; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 cup water, more if desired; 3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil; 3 cups dry pasta of choice (I used fusilli); extra grated Parmesan cheese, optional for serving; extra basil, optional for serving; pinch red pepper flakes, optional for serving

Description

This quick and easy Avocado Pesto Pasta recipe is loaded with flavor. Homemade pesto, made with tons of fresh herbs, parmesan cheese and garlic, paired with the silky creaminess of avocado make for a delicious vegetarian pasta recipe. Best of all, it can be ready in just 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

For the pesto

1 medium ripe avocado, halved and pitted
3 cloves garlic
1 cup fresh basil leaves
3/4 cup fresh spinach leaves or parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup toasted almonds
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup water, more if desired
3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil

For the pasta

3 cups dry pasta of choice (I used fusilli)
extra grated Parmesan cheese, optional for serving
extra basil, optional for serving
pinch red pepper flakes, optional for serving

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Instructions

For the pesto

Add all of the ingredients for the pesto, minus the oil, to a food processor or high-powered blender. Pulse until everything is finely chopped and begins to form a paste.
With the food processor or blender running, slowly pour in the oil. Continue to pulse until smooth.

For the pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water. Cook the pasta as per the directions on the package. Strain the pasta.

Putting it all together

Add the cooked pasta and pesto to a large mixing bowl and toss until the pasta is evenly coated in the pesto. Garnish with fresh basil, parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes before serving.

Notes

Storage: Store the leftover avocado pesto pasta in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat on the stove top or in the microwave.
Make it dairy free: To make this avocado pesto pasta in a dairy free version, simply omit the parmesan cheese. To mimic the nutty, salty flavor that Parmesan cheese imparts, substitute nutritional yeast.
Make it nut free: For a nut free pesto, simply omit the almonds.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Pasta Recipes
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: Italian