I’ve had a tub of pesto staring at me in my fridge for the past week and I finally decided its fate yesterday. I’m a bit of a sucker when it comes to grocery shopping, and love buying all sorts of things that I really have no plan for. Pesto fell into that category… and so was born this Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta Salad!
This pasta salad gets its creaminess from healthy avocados that are rich in heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fats and can be made ahead (just leave out the arugula and add it in just before serving). In fact, the arugula or spinach is optional. Arugula has a peppery but slightly bitter taste, while spinach is milder. I personally look for any chance to eat more greens so love the addition!
This salad can serve as a blank canvas for your dinner or lunch: should you wish, add diced olives, mini bocconcini, marinated artichokes or even canned chickpeas or some grilled chicken to make it a more filling meal. You can easily find vegan pesto at most of the natural food stores if you are wanting to make this vegan. We found some in the freezer section of Nature’s Fare Markets and it tasted great… AND it was nut free for any of you pesto lovers that can’t eat pine nuts.
Avocado Pesto Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is creamy and full of flavour thanks to the avocado and pesto. It's the perfect addition to summer.
Ingredients
- 250 grams dry pasta I used bow tie
- 3/4 cup prepared pesto
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes cut in half
- 2 cups lightly packed arugula or baby spinach leaves
- 1/2 long English cucumber diced
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup shredded fresh basil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook until the pasta is al dente (just done) and drain in a colander. Rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking and set it aside.
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In a mini food processor combine the pesto, avocado and lemon juice. Process until the mixture is smooth.
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Combine the cooked pasta along with the remaining ingredients and the avocado pesto dressing and toss together to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
I just made myself a “green” pasta salad last week! I was craving a “Green Goddess” style dressing, but wanted to get creative with some plant-based options. In my blender, I buzzed avocado, fresh spinach, scallions, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice! Kind of everything but the kitchen sink, but it was delish! Thanks for another idea, Tori!
Amazing! I just did that same thing yesterday so good!!!! I added tons of fresh herbs and no spinach. Nice work!
What is your go to pesto?
This looks ks delicious by the way!
I actually love the one from Costco!
LOVED THIS!!
Thank you!!!! Tori
Hello! I am just wondering if you can use a VitaMix to blend the dressing ingredients instead of the Mini Food Processor? I don’t have a food processor and would love to make this recipe this week! Thank you!
Hi Shawna! You can, it’s just that the volume is quite small so I find that it gets a bit tricky blending it in the Vitamix! But yes is the answer!
Thanks for the great recipe Tori. I made it tonight for dinner and I had most of the ingredients, all for the pesto, and for sure I will make it again. I used to buy the Costo pesto but since I found out it contains soybean oil, I make my own. I found a very good vegan presto recipe online that used walnuts and nooch. Tasty!
Thanks for an awesome website with great recipes.
Debbie
Thanks for the feedback Debbie!