Pasta tossed in creamy avocado, sweet grape tomatoes, and refreshing basil. With just a hint of garlic and lightly salted, this dish is delicious and healthy, just in time for summer.
Don’t you just love summer ingredients? I certainly do. And the ingredients in this pasta dish are simple, delicious, and refreshing, which is what we need for hot lazy summer days.
Pasta coated with creamy avocado and a hint of garlic. Sliced grape tomatoes add a little bit of sweetness to the dish. Roughly torn basil leaves give the dish a rustic look and a refreshing taste. Each bite is delicious with simple but flavorful ingredients.
How did I come up with this combination? Believe it or not, the idea stemmed from my Sweet Corn and Edamame Guacamole Dip recipe. When I made that dip two weeks, I was so addicted. I could have eaten it spoon by spoon without feeling the least bit guilty. So of course, I decided to use it as a “sauce” for my pasta. Just a little bit more garlic and a pinch more salt and ta daa! We have Creamy Avocado Pasta. Next, I rummaged through my refrigerator to find what ingredients I had. Tomato and basil. Perfect. Add them to the pasta. Toss them to mix. Dinner is ready in about 20 minutes max!
See? Quick and simple, right? Meals don’t have to be complicated to be delicious. And you can use whatever ingredients you have in your refrigerator as long as you like them. That’s the important part. =)
I’ll have to make sure to bring this dish to Fiesta Friday and share it with all my friends there!
First, cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. I used spaghetti and it took me about 10 minutes to get it to the way I liked it. Time will vary according to the pasta you use and how soft you prefer. Once the pasta is cooked to how you like it, drain the water and run the noodles through cold water. This helps stop the cooking process and prevents the pasta from sticking to each other.
Cut a large avocado in half and remove the large pit from the middle. Use a spoon to scoop the avocado from its outer shell into a medium sized bowl. Mash the avocado until it becomes smooth. If you want the avocado to be smooth without any chunks, you can place the avocado into a blender and blend until it becomes smooth. I liked mine a little chunky so I mashed the avocado with a spoon.
Sometimes, the avocado is too thick, which could make the pasta a little dry. So I wanted to thin out the avocado a little bit by adding honey yogurt. I used Noosa Yoghurt because it’s my favorite, but you can use regular yogurt or even Greek. Mix until the yogurt is thoroughly incorporated into the mashed avocado. Adding yogurt is completely optional. If you’re vegan, skip this step. =)
Add in the garlic powder and salt, more to taste. Since the avocado is meant to be a “sauce” for the pasta, it needs to be flavorful.
Pour the avocado mixture over the pasta and mix until the noodles are completely coated.
Slice grape tomatoes in half and tear up the basil. Toss with the pasta until it’s evenly distributed.
Place the pasta onto a plate.
Serve the pasta cold. Enjoy!
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'Aha Hui Lanakila, Inc. says
Reblogged this on The Halau and commented:
A quick and easy pasta that you can create on a shoestring budget! Ecco un ottimo pasto … godere di mangiare con la vostra famiglia stasera!
Joe says
It’s looks delicious.
Andrea Giang | Cooking with a Wallflower says
Thanks, Joe!
chris says
Sounds awesome. My boyfriend would love this!
Andrea Giang | Cooking with a Wallflower says
I hope you’ll both enjoy the dish =)
Haley @SpeakLyfe says
This is calling my name. Looks so good and such a good idea for pasta!
xo
Andrea Giang | Cooking with a Wallflower says
Thank you, Haley! I hope you’ll give it a try =)
Ginger says
This is looking delicious! How I wish it was summer here in London (cue heavy downpour. Again).
Andrea Giang | Cooking with a Wallflower says
we’re wishing that there’s a downpour here in California. We’re in the middle of a drought. On the bright side, early summer =)
Ginger says
You could have a few of ours! I have been trying to collect elderflowers for a few days now but you are meant to pick them on a dry day to get the most out of the scent and flavours – no chance. Soon the flowers will turn to berries and that’s our usual summer-anticipation-pancake-feast gone!
Andrea Giang | Cooking with a Wallflower says
I’ve never had elderflowers or berries before. But I’ve seen recipes on blogs using them. They sound yummy =)
annadelconte says
This is one of my favourite flavour combinations. Yummo!
Andrea Giang | Cooking with a Wallflower says
It’s mine too =)
Getaway Journal says
yum…I’m going to try this! I love avocado
Andrea Giang | Cooking with a Wallflower says
I hope you’ll like it =)
fangtales says
Yum…
Andrea Giang | Cooking with a Wallflower says
Thanks!
jasmincharlotte says
This looks amazing!! Have to try it x
Andrea Giang | Cooking with a Wallflower says
I hope you will! =)
Rajiv says
Looks yum!
Andrea Giang | Cooking with a Wallflower says
Thank you!