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Ok, I have a confession.
Sometimes when I cook, I totally know what I am doing. I have an idea in my head and a plan to execute it. This is great and things go smoothly.
But then there are the times, when I am so indecisive. It’s like I am a chicken running around with its head cut off. Except I have a very sharp, very large knife in my hand.
Yeah, this is scary. My face gets all red and things are just a mess.
You know what though, when I do not know what the heck I am trying to make is when some of my best recipes are born.
Sure, it is chaotic and I make a HUGE mess and I create a whole lot of dishes for me to wash (which if you are wondering, the combination of hot soapy water and winter does not do well for my hands). And yeah, some of them do not turn out. But the ones that do, tend to be my most creative. Which = deliciousness!
So, here is the story of the pasta.
Basically, I was just going back and forth about what I wanted to make. I had a million ideas and just could not decide on one. Finally I decided. A tomato based italian pasta. Yeah, tomatoes. Not avocados.
So literally in the middle of adding parsley and olives to the pan filled with tomatoes I decided I did not want to make this. I suddenly had this idea brewing for avocado pasta. Then I remembered the the wedge of mediterranean gouda (gouda cheese with mediterranean herbs) sitting in my fridge.
And then I put the two together and made something awesome.
Guys, this is so easy, so simple, and so good. If you don’t have gouda cheese swap in parmesan that would be awesome too! You could even make this vegan by skipping the cheese, but we are not vegans and the cheese adds awesome flavor and creaminess. What can I say, we really like cheese.
And avocados. Obviously.
Creamy Avocado and Gouda Cheese Pasta
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 561 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fettuccine pasta
- 2 medium size ripe avocado's pitted and removed from skins
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 1/2 cup milk or plain almond milk I used skim milk
- 3/4 cup mediterranean gouda or gouda cheese finely shredded or grated
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
- salt and pepper to taste
- crushed red pepper flakes for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Bring several cups of water to a boil in a medium sized pot. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions. Reserve a large coffee cup of the pasta water before draining. (Note that the pasta does not continue to cook in the sauce, so cook until desired doneness)
- Meanwhile, make the sauce by placing the avocado, garlic and lemon juice into a food processor. Process until smooth. Make sure there are no longer any chunks of avocado, and then add the milk and process again until smooth. Add in the basil, cheese and a pinch of salt and pepper. Process until smooth and creamy and you no longer see any cheese shreds. You want the sauce to be as smooth as possible.
- When pasta is done cooking (don't forget to reserve some of the cooking water), drain in a strainer and place the pasta into a large serving bowl. Pour on the sauce, add toasted pine nuts and toss until fully combined. Add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce a bit. Garnish with fresh basil, crushed red pepper flakes and black pepper. Serve immediately.
Green and ready for spring!
Shared with: Inside BruCru Life, Lil Luna, Chef In Training, Buns In my Oven, Foodie Friday Friends, Tidy Mom, Taste and Tell, Cheerios and Lattes, Somewhat Simple, Mom on Timeout, I Heart Nap Time, Fine Craft Guide, The Country Cook, Whipperberry, Chef In Training
This was a delightful. I didn’t have basil or pine nuts on hand, I used Asiago cheese, I will be making this again. I was surprised the avocado didn’t turn black. Thank you
I am so glad this turned out so well for you, Roxanne! Thank you so much!
I used sunflower seeds and pine nuts and it worked great. Makes a really tasty pasta and leftover sauce was used as dip.
Sounds awesome! So happy this went great for you! Thank you Nishna!
Amazing recipe! I Love creamy avocado and gouda cheese pasta.
Thank you!
LOVE. This recipe was so delicious, I couldn’t get enough. The local grocery store didn’t have fresh basil so I had to use basil from a spice jar. Was still amazing.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Amazing recipe! I am a lover of both avocado and pasta and I really enjoy taking risks in the kitchen. This recipe satisfied all of those tendencies! The only thing I’m worried about is how long it will keep???
So happy you loved this, Lauren!! The only bad thing about the recipe is that the sauce does turn a not so pretty color after a day or so. It taste good, but is not all that pretty anymore. Bummer I know!
Thanks so much for making this and again, I am so happy you loved it!
You had me at “gouda.” Pinning this now!
Ha! Thanks for pinning Kelly!
I’ve made this 2x…this is great. I think Parm cheese would be a great sub for Gouda, but it sure is fun using the Gouda, and oh so tasty, too. Very easy, very good. Bonus, my 2 and 5 year old kids both ate it willingly, hooray!
I am new to your site but I have so many things bookmarked to try…your pictures are awesome! Thanks!
WOW! Thank you! I am so glad you guys loved this and thank you so much for reading and giving my recipes are try! I love comments like yours!
Oh this really does look so good!
I would love for you to link it up at Empty Your Archive link party – there is a special focus this week on fabulous pasta recipes, Alice @ Mums Make Lists x
Thank you!
Wonderfully creative recipe and totally amazing photos, as usual!!!! Thanks for linking up!
OMG!!! I just made this recipe and it was terrific!
I love avocados but I’ve never have them hot or cooked in any way.
This is one of the most delicious pasta sauces I’ve ever tried.
I didn’t have the exact same ingredients but dried basil and regular nuts did the trick.
I’m gonna make it again with fresh basil, I bet that would make it even more wonderful.
Thank you for sharing. I have it in mi Pinterest food board already!
YES! I am so happy you loved this! I LOVE reading comments like this one!
Your pics are exquisite!
Thank you!!
I love pasta and I love avocados, but I have never had the two together before! Where have I been?? I’m going to make this tonight since I have all the ingredients and can’t wait to try it.
YA! Let me know what you think! Hope you like it!
Yum. This looks super delicious. I am eager to serve this to my family. We will love it.
Hope your family likes it!
This looks delicious. I can’t wait to try it. My family loves pasta dishes, avocado and cheese so it is a winner.
This looks so rich and delicious! I love avocado!
Found you at What’s Cooking with Ruthie!