Creamy Avocado Pesto Mac (Print Version)

A vibrant twist on classic mac and cheese featuring luscious avocado and basil pesto sauce with tender pasta.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz macaroni or short pasta
02 - 1 teaspoon 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 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
09 - 1/4 cup milk, dairy or unsweetened plant-based
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

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

# Cooking Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain thoroughly.
02 - While pasta cooks, combine avocados, basil, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan, lemon juice, milk, salt, and black pepper in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add additional milk if needed to achieve a silky sauce consistency.
03 - Return drained pasta to the pot. Pour in the avocado pesto sauce and toss gently to coat. Add reserved pasta water gradually to loosen the sauce to desired consistency.
04 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan, fresh basil, and cracked black pepper if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent but sneaks in healthy fats and fresh greens without anyone noticing.
  • The whole thing comes together in half an hour, perfect for weeknights when you want comfort without the wait.
  • Leftovers taste surprisingly good cold, straight from the fridge the next day.
02 -
  • The sauce will darken if it sits too long, so make it right before you plan to eat.
  • If your avocados aren't fully ripe, the sauce will be grainy and disappointing, so wait an extra day if needed.
  • Don't skip the pasta water, it's what turns a thick paste into a glossy, restaurant quality sauce.
03 -
  • Taste your avocados before blending, if they're bland, add an extra squeeze of lemon and a pinch more salt.
  • Use a high speed blender if you have one, it makes the sauce incredibly creamy.
  • If you're making this for a crowd, double the sauce recipe and keep the pasta warm in a low oven until serving.
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