Avocado Pesto Pasta Nut Free Vegetarian Recipe Wellplated Com

Have you ever had one of those moments when you try a new food for the first time and become instantly hooked? That’s how I felt the first time I tried an avocado pesto. Skeptical of the lack of basil and nuts (as used in my homemade Basil Pesto or this fabulous classic creamy pesto recipe from The Well Plated Cookbook), after one bite of this nontraditional pesto recipe, I knew this was the beginning of a long and beautiful friendship. Spread on toast, mixed with scrambled eggs, drizzled over Mexican-inspired dishes like these 10 Minute Black Bean Tostadas, or (my favorite) tossed with whole wheat noodles, avocado pesto is a bright, healthy dinner that can be on the table in fewer than 30 minutes (like this Garlic Pasta).

How to Make Avocado Pesto

Luxuriously creamy, lightly spiced like traditional Pesto Pasta, but packed with superfoods avocado and arugula, this velvety green wonder sauce comes together in minutes and is lovely on everything from sandwiches (try it on this Avocado Egg Salad sandwich) to toast to pasta.

The Ingredients

Avocado. Packed with healthy fats along with magnesium, B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate (if you love avocado, try my Avocado Grilled Cheese).Arugula. For a peppery twist that also adds fiber, calcium, and iron.Cilantro. My herb swap for basil that compliments the flavors of the avocado, lime, and spicy jalapeno.Lime. I reached for a squeeze of fresh lime juice instead of traditional lemon juice to give this pesto a south-of-the-border flair. (I’ll save the lemons for this Pasta al Limone.)Jalapeno. For a spicy kick. To control the spice level of the sauce, leave as much of the jalapenos’ seeds and membranes as you dare. (I love using this jalapeno-infused pesto to add some spiciness to my favorite Pesto Potato Salad.)Garlic. For some zip and zing.Parmesan. Keeps the essence of classic Creamy Basil Pesto alive.Pasta. If serving over pasta, try this avocado pesto with your favorite whole wheat pasta for an added boost of nutrition. Cherry Tomatoes. My favorite mix-in when preparing this pesto with pasta. Sauteed red peppers or mushrooms would also be tasty.

The Directions

Recipe Adaptations

Lightly Spicy Avocado Pesto Pasta. If you are a bit spice shy, you can always cut back on the jalapeno. You might also enjoy this not-at-all spicy Creamy Avocado Pasta, which uses lots of fresh herbs and Greek yogurt.Extra Spicy Avocado Pesto Pasta. If you’re a huge spice fan, you can dial it up a notch by adding even more jalapeno.

My go-to way to use avocado pesto is in pasta, but if you find new ways to use this green goodness, I’d love to hear all about them!