Heart-Healthy Creamy Avocado Pasta
Indulge in the velvety goodness of **Heart-Healthy Creamy Avocado Pasta**, a vibrant and nutrient-packed dish that's as satisfying as it is nourishing. This recipe swaps heavy cream for ripe avocados, creating a rich, creamy sauce blended with fresh garlic, fragrant basil, and zesty lemon juice. Tossed with whole wheat pasta, sweet cherry tomatoes, and tender baby spinach, this dish is a wholesome and flavorful way to support your heart health. A sprinkle of toasted pine nuts adds a delightful crunch, making every bite irresistibly satisfying. Ready in just 25 minutes, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or a light, refreshingly healthy meal anytime. Packed with heart-healthy fats, fiber, and fresh ingredients, this plant-based pasta is a delicious way to prioritize your well-being.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Whole wheat pasta
- 2 pieces Ripe avocados
- 2 pieces Fresh garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups Baby spinach
- 0.25 cup Pine nuts
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the avocado sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine the avocados, garlic cloves, basil leaves, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon of reserved pasta water at a time until desired consistency is reached.
In a large pan over medium heat, add the cherry tomatoes and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften.
Add the cooked pasta and baby spinach to the pan with the tomatoes. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently until the spinach wilts.
Pour the avocado sauce over the pasta and toss well to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water until the desired creamy consistency is achieved.
Toast the pine nuts in a small pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant.
Serve the creamy avocado pasta in bowls, topped with toasted pine nuts. Enjoy your heart-healthy meal!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1444 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 97.5 g | 125% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.6 g | 63% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1275 mg | 55% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 136.4 g | 50% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 41.1 g | 147% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.8 g | ||
| Protein | 33.1 g | 66% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 211 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 11.3 mg | 63% | |
| Potassium | 2646 mg | 56% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
