Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad

        If you love pasta salad, this Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad will blow you away!!
        This pasta salad will be your new favorite summertime option. 
        It's loaded with delicious, crunchy veggies and topped with a creamy avocado dressing. 
        It's great served room temperature or cold and makes great leftovers.
        If you're looking for a salad that uses avocado in more ways than one, this recipe is for you! You still get the amazing creaminess of the dressing without the mayo and that's just one of the many reasons I love this Avocado Pasta Salad!

Recipe at a Glance

        Cuisine Inspiration: American 
        Primary Cooking Method: Mixing
        Dietary Info: Vegetarian
        Key Flavor: Bright and creamy
        Skill Level: Easy
    

INGREDIENTS

        • 16 oz einkorn or whole wheat short pasta 
          The spiral form of rotini pasta is perfect for pasta salads, as it clings to the dressing effectively.
        • 1 red onion 
        • 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 
        • 1 pint cherry tomatoes 
          The vibrant taste of cherry tomatoes complements the creamy, robust flavor of avocados perfectly. Additionally, tomatoes are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
        • 1 Tbsp olive oil
          Blending olive oil with lemon juice creates a sauce that is rich and full of healthy fats. 
        • Salt and pepper, to taste 
          A classic spice blend enhances any dish. Salt amplifies the existing flavors in the sauce, and pepper contributes a subtle warmth and earthy note.
        • 4 oz feta cheese 
        sauce 
        • 1 large or 2 small avocados, peeled and pitted 
          Avocado serves as the primary flavor enhancer in this pasta salad, enriching both the dish and its dressing. It imparts a lush, creamy texture and taste, while contributing beneficial fats, vitamins, and minerals. 
        • 1 cup fresh spinach 
          Spinach contributes a fresh flavor and is a source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and iron.
        • 1 cup fresh basil 
          Basil imparts a delightful peppery taste and serves as an excellent garnish for pasta salads.
        • ½ cup walnuts 
        • ¼ cup nutritional yeast 
        • 2 Tbsp fresh cilantro 
        • 1 Tbsp fresh parsley 
        • 1 lime, juiced
          Lemon juice imparts a vibrant citrus taste to the sauce and also prevents oxidation, keeping it from turning brown. 
        • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed 
          The robust garlic flavor greatly improves the sauce.
        • Salt, to taste 
        • 1 (12 oz) can full fat coconut milk
        Coconut milk can be utilized to subtly thin out the sauce.
    

Preparation method

        1* Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. 
        2* Cook the pasta until it is al dente, following the package instructions; then drain, rinse, and set it aside.
        3* Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with silicone mat or parchment paper to simplify cleanup.
        4* Cut the cherry tomatoes in half. Mix them with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
        5* Slice the red onion thinly and marinate with balsamic vinegar and a pinch or two of black pepper.
        For the sauce:
        6* Blend together avocado, nutritional yeast, spinach, walnuts, basil, parsley, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, black pepper, and salt to taste.
        7* Begin with the coconut cream, gradually adding the liquid to achieve a smooth consistency for the sauce.
        8* Adjust the seasoning to your preference after tasting.
        9* Drizzle the sauce over the pasta, top with roasted tomatoes, marinated onions, and feta cheese. Enjoy either warm or chilled.
    

Ideas for Creating the Perfect Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe

        Cooking pasta:The texture of cold pasta significantly contributes to the dish's appeal. Therefore, I always suggest cooking pasta al dente for salads, which helps it maintain its structure and prevents it from becoming mushy when mixed with the dressing.
        salt strongly:Adding salt to boiling water before cooking pasta is essential. The pasta absorbs the salt while boiling, and skipping this step can result in underseasoned pasta once it's cooked. Moreover, attempting to compensate for the lack of flavor later may lead to consuming excess salt.
        Do not rinse the pasta after cooking:Toss the pasta with the dressing while it's still hot; this allows the pasta to absorb the dressing more effectively, ensuring no excess sauce remains at the bottom of the dish. The avocado dressing will also help to cool the pasta down.
        Use ripe avocados:This facilitates a smoother blend and yields a rich, creamy consistency akin to mayonnaise. It also aids in emulsifying the dressing when mixed with the other ingredients.
        Gradually incorporate the olive oil into the dressing:Gradually drizzle the olive oil into the dressing mixture, allowing sufficient time for it to emulsify and become delightfully creamy.
        
    

Summary

        Simple to make: Boil water for the pasta, dice some vegetables, and blend a seasoning in a food processor to cool.
        Adaptable: The avocado pasta salad is an excellent accompaniment to dinner or a welcome addition to your upcoming potluck or outdoor party.
        Healthy: Loaded with healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, the avocado dressing and fresh vegetables are nutritious.
        Tailorable: Personalize the recipe by selecting your preferred pasta and vegetables.
    

Popular Alternatives and Extensions

        Incorporate your preferred vegetables into this versatile recipe.
        It's designed to be adaptable, allowing for a variety of additions. Vegetables such as red onions, broccoli, peas, olives, cucumbers, artichokes, bell peppers, and celery are all excellent choices.
        Utilize any variety of short pasta.
        Rotini, fusilli, penne, and rigatoni all make excellent pasta choices.
        Using whole grain noodles contributes to a healthier meal.
        To reduce simple carbohydrate intake, opt for whole wheat noodles.
        Make it gluten free
        To prepare a gluten-free pasta salad, you can use any variety of gluten-free pasta that you prefer.
        Feel free to use any type of milk you like.
        Choose your preferred plant-based milk or regular milk. You may also opt to omit it entirely if that's your preference.
        Instead of spinach.
        Kale, arugula, parsley, cilantro, or basil may be substituted for spinach in the sauce to offer a variety of flavors.
    

Nutrition Facts
Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad
Amount per Serving
Calories	433
% Daily Value
Fat 16g	25%
Saturated Fat 2g	13%
Sodium 414mg	18%
Potassium 960mg	27%
Carbohydrates 64g	21%
Fiber 11g	46%
Sugar 5g	6%
Protein 12g	24%
Vitamin A 2075IU	42%
Vitamin C 36.5mg	44 %
Calcium 49mg	5 %
Iron 2.4mg	13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.