Penne Pasta with Avocado Pesto A Creamy, Healthy Twist

Enjoy a creamy, healthy twist on traditional pesto with this Penne Pasta with Avocado Pesto recipe. Perfectly smooth and packed with flavor, it’s a quick meal! This Penne Pasta with Avocado Pesto brings a creamy, fresh twist to your usual pesto pasta. The rich, velvety texture of ripe avocado blends perfectly with the traditional pesto ingredients, creating a lighter yet equally flavorful alternative. Perfect for a quick dinner or a light lunch, this recipe is both satisfying and healthy, offering a burst of flavors in every bite! I can't believe it is the last day of #AvocadoAugust! I have had so much fun coming up with these recipes that I seriously want to do it again!

There are still hundreds of avocado recipes that I haven't even touched but excited that I was able to come up with 13 exciting delicious Avocado recipes. Wow! Hope you had as much fun as I did and I also want feedback on what other recipes you love that I can come up with or even suggest another theme month. The last recipe for this #AvocadoAugust is Penne Pasta With Avocado Pesto which is rich and full of flavours that just dance in your mouth. This combination with pesto is so far my best pasta recipe, which I will probably make more than twice. Avocado is BAE and LIFE. Looking forward to what September has to bring!

INGREDIENTS

1 Packet Penne Rigate Pasta
1-2 Cups Avocado Pesto
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1 Tablespoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

METHOD
Heat water in deep pan and add salt

Add vegetable oil

Add Black Pepper

Add the penne pasta

Let the pasta cook until al' dente you do not want the pasta to overcook or it will be too soggy

Once the water has significantly reduced, take pasta from heat. Set in a sieve or colander and pour hot water into the pasta. This helps remove some of the sticky starch

Add the Avocado Pesto into the cooked Pasta and mix well ensuring every piece of pasta gets the delicious Pesto sauce

This Pesto Pasta is the best you will ever taste. Creamy, Rich, Crunchy, Delicious!

I love cooking with Penne Pasta because they tend to hide deliciousness inside the hollow parts

PENNE AVOCADO PESTO PASTA

Recipe by Mulunga Alukwe

Prep time: 5 Minutes
Cook time: 5 Minutes
Total time: 10 Minutes
Yield: 4 Servings
Ingredients

• 1 Packet Penne Pasta
• 2 Cups Avocado Pesto
• 2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
• 1 Tablespoon Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

Cooking Directions

1. Heat water in deep pan and add salt, black pepper and vegetable oil
2. Once the water has boiled, add the Penne Pasta. Let the pasta cook until al' dente you do not want the pasta to overcook or it will be too soggy
3. Once the water has significantly reduced, take pasta from heat. Set in a sieve or colander and pour hot water into the pasta. This helps remove some of the sticky starch
4. Add the Avocado Pesto into the cooked Pasta and mix well ensuring every piece of pasta gets the delicious Pesto sauce
5. Serve immediately

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Penne Pasta with Avocado Pesto FAQs

Q1: What ingredients are in avocado pesto?
Typically, avocado, fresh basil leaves, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, nuts (pine nuts, walnuts, or almonds), salt, and pepper.

Q2: Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Yes! It’s naturally vegan if you skip cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative.

Q3: Can I use any pasta for this dish?
Absolutely! While penne is classic, you can substitute with spaghetti, fusilli, or gluten-free pasta.

Q4: How do I store leftover avocado pesto?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To prevent browning, add a thin layer of olive oil on top before sealing.

Q5: Can I freeze avocado pesto?
Freezing is possible but may alter texture. It’s best to freeze in ice cube trays and thaw small portions when needed.

Q6: How do I prevent the avocado pesto from browning?
Use fresh lemon juice and store it tightly covered. Consume within a couple of days for best taste and color.

Nutrition Info (per serving, approx. 1 cup cooked pasta with pesto)

Nutrient	Amount	Notes
Calories	420 kcal	Moderate calorie meal from healthy fats and carbs
Protein	10 g	From pasta and nuts
Total Fat	22 g	Mostly healthy fats from avocado and olive oil
Saturated Fat	3 g	Low saturated fat
Carbohydrates	45 g	From pasta and some from avocado
Fiber	7 g	Good fiber content from avocado and basil
Sugars	3 g	Natural sugars from avocado and lemon
Sodium	250 mg	From added salt and pesto ingredients

Dietary Information

Category	Suitable?	Notes
Vegetarian	✅ Yes	No meat included
Vegan	✅ Yes	No animal products used; check for cheese substitutes
Gluten-Free	✅ Possible	Use gluten-free pasta
Dairy-Free	✅ Yes	Naturally dairy-free unless cheese is added
Nut-Free	❌ No	Contains nuts, can be substituted with seeds (e.g., sunflower)

Notes:

• Use ripe avocados for creamier pesto.
• Adjust garlic and lemon juice to taste for balance.
• Serve immediately for best flavor and color.

Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used. For precise nutritional information, consider using a nutrition calculator with exact ingredient measurements.