I love that this recipe in particular is not overly-rich thanks to the heart healthy avocados and olive oil. Plus, the hemp seeds add another nutritional booster! Avocado Pesto Pasta is great to meal prep for the week; you can add different proteins like chicken or chicken sausage, salmon or even tofu.
Why this Pesto Works:
It’s made in minutes right in a food processor. It’s freezer friendly Great for meal prep It’s easy to customize Utilities simple, high-quality ingredients
Basil: the star of the show! Be sure to find fresh basil that is vibrant in color. Avocado: 1 small avocado is plenty, or use 1/2 of a large avocado. Pine nuts: pine nuts add structure to pesto and are a traditional addition to pesto. You can also use walnuts, pistachios or even almonds. PRO TIP: toast the needs prior. This enhances the overall flavor of the pesto. Parmesan cheese: another classic ingredients for pesto. Pecorino romana can also be used. Be sure to grate it yourself instead of adding in the pre-grated cheese. The cheese adds saltiness! Lemon juice: a bonus from the lemon juice adds acidity. It brightens up the pesto and makes the pesto really shine. Hemp seeds: not a traditional ingredient, but I love adding some in for a nutritional booster, and you can’t even taste it! Feel free to leave out, if desired. Garlic: a little garlic goes a long way in pesto. I usually add 2-3 cloves. Olive oil: be sure to use a high quality olive oil for best flavor and results. The olive oil gives pesto a rich consistency. I like using a mild olive oil because it lends a fruity flavor but doesn’t overwhelm any of the other ingredients. You can also use avocado oil.
