What if you could have that creamy, crave-worthy pasta dish without the guilt? This recipe for healthy and creamy avocado pasta fits the bill! Avocados are the perfect substitution for heavy cream with added nutritional—and guilt-free—satisfaction. This recipe is great for the health-conscious and perfect for those who are strapped on time but still want a gourmet meal. Try it out today!
Tantillo Foods offers a wide selection of artisanal pastas, cooking oils, pasta sauces, and more to enhance your meals. Shop now to begin creating fantastic Italian dishes!
Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados, peeled and seeded
1/4 cup Tantillo Foods Avocado Oil, plus 2 tablespoons reserved
1 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1/2 cup grated parmesan (plus extra for garnishing)
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for garnishing)
2 tablespoons Tantillo Foods Lemon Juice
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup vegetable or chicken broth
1 package Tantillo Foods Artisanal Conchiglioni Pasta, cooked al dente
Directions:
- Combine avocados, Tantillo Foods Avocado Oil, garlic, parmesan, basil, Tantillo Foods Lemon Juice, salt, and pepper in a food processor.
- Pulse until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, use the broth to thin it out until the mixture resembles the consistency of Alfredo sauce.
- Heat reserved avocado oil in an extra-large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add cooked Tantillo Foods Artisanal Conchiglioni Pasta and sauce mixture to the pan. Toss to coat. Simmer for 1-2 minutes or until hot.
- Top pasta with extra basil and parmesan before serving.
Chef’s Notes:
Here are a few fun facts and pointers to help you perfect this healthy and creamy avocado pasta recipe!
Health Benefits of Avocados
Avocados top the charts as one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Rich with vitamins, minerals, and those beneficial monounsaturated fats, both fresh avocados and avocado oil reap the rewards. Here are just some of the many benefits of adding avocados and avocado oil into your diet:
Great for Your Heart
Avocados are filled with healthy fats. In fact, both avocados and avocado oil have been shown to increase HDLs, also known as the “good” cholesterol. It simultaneously reduces artery-clogging LDL’s, which may otherwise lead to cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol.
Rids Your Body of Oxidants
Oxidants are “free-radicals” that cruise around your body damaging cell tissue. Avocados are high in antioxidants. You can think of these as the oxidant police, which reduce the number of harmful free radicals in our system.
Avocados and avocado oil also aid in the absorption of other valuable nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, they’re full of vitamins and minerals of their own, such as potassium, folate, and vitamins K, C & E. These nutrient body-boosters help in the fight against oxidants and promote general, everyday body functions.
Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is no fun. For those who suffer from arthritis, mobility and daily function can be limiting, painful, and frustrating. Avocados and avocado oil are a natural anti-inflammatory that can help reduce swelling and pain.
Looking for more information about the benefits of avocado oil? Check out our comprehensive article, The Benefits of Cooking with Avocado Oil .
Avocado Oil: The Chef’s Cooking Oil
Avocado oil is a fantastic ingredient for any kitchen, personal or professional. It has a spectacularly neutral flavor and one of the highest smoke points of all other oils.
What is a Smoke Point?
The smoke point is the temperature at which an oil begins to burn. More specifically, it’s when the molecules and larger compounds break down, causing the oil to smoke. The result of pushing oil past its smoke point causes it to become terribly bitter and scorched.
Avocado oil tops out at 525°F compared to the usual average of 350°F-425°F. This makes it the ideal oil for frying, sautéing, and baking!
Shop Tantillo Foods Avocado Oil to see the difference for yourself!
How to Achieve the Perfect Al Dente
There is a fine line between perfectly cooked pasta and mush. Al dente is the term used to describe pasta that’s cooked to perfection, having just the slightest hint of “bite.”
To achieve the perfect al dente texture, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Pour in your noodles and stir. Boil for approximately seven to eight minutes, taste-testing every so often, until the noodles are soft with just a hint of chew. Drain, rinse, and toss with the rest of your ingredients. Voila, perfectly cooked pasta!
Shop Tantillo Foods
We hope you enjoy this healthy and delicious recipe! Keep in mind, when making any dish, using high-quality ingredients only enhances its flavor. Tantillo Avocado Oil is the ideal cooking oil for all your favorite recipes. The oil is extracted from the fruit by cold pressing it, then it is carefully refined to create a clean, fresh oil. Whether you’re sautéing, frying, grilling, or baking, you can rest assured that this oil will stand up to the challenge!
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