Easy Avocado Pesto Pasta (Vegan & Gluten-Free)
This avocado pesto pasta is deliciously creamy dairy-free pasta that’s made with avocado, arugula, basil, nutritional yeast, and gluten-free pasta.
Back when I first started to cook for myself when I was changing my diet, avocado pesto with gluten-free pasta was a favorite. It’s creamy, filling, and incredibly easy. Seriously this is the most simple pasta sauce you’re ever going to make, and it’s also packed with healthy fats and nutrients!
I’ve refined my recipe quite a bit from when I first started making this, and it’s just perfect! Serve it with your favorite pasta, and you have an easy and healthy dish.
The Ingredients for Avocado Pesto Pasta
- Gluten-Free Pasta. I pretty much always use the brand Jovial, but you can use whatever brand of pasta you prefer.
- Avocado and Basil.
- Arugula. You can use spinach also!
- Nutritional Yeast. This adds a great cheesy flavor!
- Garlic, Salt, and Pepper.
- Lemon and Olive Oil.
How to make Avocado Pesto Pasta
- Step 1. Cook and strain the pasta. Don’t forget to set aside about 1/3 cup of pasta water!
- Step 2. Blend to make the pesto.
- Step 3. Toss the pasta with pesto to thoroughly coat.
Tips & Tricks for Avocado Pesto Pasta
- Don’t skip the pasta water! This is an important step for making the pesto thicker, and warming it up. You only need a little bit, but make sure to save it before you strain the pasta.
- Add extra lemon if you’re saving leftovers. This will help the avocado from browning.
Can you make this recipe without nutritional yeast?
You can! The nutritional yeast makes it taste “cheesy”, so it will lack that flavor if you leave it out, but you’ll still get that great herby flavor.
Can you make this pesto with spinach instead of arugula?
Yes, spinach works in case you don’t have arugula on hand.
Can you make this recipe with grain-free pasta?
You definitely can use cassava pasta instead of gluten-free pasta!
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Easy Avocado Pesto Pasta (Vegan & Gluten-Free)
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Italian Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This avocado pesto pasta is deliciously creamy dairy-free pasta that’s made with avocado, arugula, basil, nutritional yeast, and gluten-free pasta.
Ingredients
- 8 oz gluten-free (or grain-free) pasta
- 1 avocado, halved and pitted
- 1 cup arugula
- 1 cup basil
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- Salt and Pepper to taste (omit pepper for AIP)
- Juice half lemon
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Boil the pasta as directed, and set aside about 1/3 cup of pasta water. Cook until al dente and strain.
- To make the pesto, add the avocado, arugula, basil, nutritional yeast, garlic, salt and pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, and pasta water to a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Add the pesto to the cooked pasta and toss to thoroughly coat.
- Serve topped with additional fresh basil to taste.
Notes
Omit the nutritional yeast if desired for a less cheesy flavor. You can also use parmesan if tolerated.
All nutritional information are estimations and will vary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 179
- Fat: 9.9g
- Carbohydrates: 24.1g
- Fiber: 5.1g
- Protein: 3.5g
Really good! Was looking for a simple AIP sauce when craving pasta. This hit the spot perfectly. I feel like it would go really well with salmon for next time.
Thank you!!
Absolutely delicious! I have a giant basil plant in my yard this year and thought pesto was off the table since I recently started AIP. So glad I was wrong. I topped baked chicken breasts with the pesto and it was perfect.
Do you think the pesto would freeze well?
Thank you for the recipe.
Yes, pesto is delicious and easily AIP! You can freeze it!
Fantastic! Love it…and I love your blog! Your recipes are so helpful for someone like me who has lots of food allergies. I can often follow the AIP diet, but not always since I can’t have almonds or coconut! Thank you.