Creamy Avocado Pesto Mac (Printable)

A vibrant Italian-American twist featuring luscious avocado-basil pesto coating tender macaroni for a nutritious 30-minute meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz macaroni or short pasta
02 - 1 tsp salt for pasta water

→ Avocado Pesto Sauce

03 - 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
04 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
05 - 2 cloves garlic
06 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
09 - 1/4 cup milk, dairy or unsweetened plant-based
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Garnish

12 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese
13 - Fresh basil leaves
14 - Cracked black pepper

# How-To:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining thoroughly.
02 - Place avocados, basil, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan, lemon juice, milk, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender. Process until completely smooth and creamy, adding an extra splash of milk if needed to achieve a silky pourable consistency.
03 - Return the drained pasta to the warm cooking pot. Pour the avocado pesto sauce over the pasta and toss gently to coat evenly. Add the reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen the sauce until it clings nicely to the pasta.
04 - Taste the pasta and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Plate immediately while warm, topping with additional grated Parmesan, fresh basil leaves, and cracked black pepper if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • That velvety avocado sauce makes everything feel indulgent while packing in healthy fats
  • It comes together faster than delivery would arrive, with zero processed cheese in sight
02 -
  • Avocado sauce will start to brown after about an hour, so this dish really is best enjoyed fresh and immediately
  • The reserved pasta water is non-negotiable for getting that perfectly clingy consistency
03 -
  • Room temperature avocados blend much smoother than cold ones from the fridge
  • If your sauce seems too thick, the pasta water thins it without making it watery
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