Looking for a refreshing dish that will update your summer picnics and potlucks? This creamy avocado pasta salad is the answer!
Bursting with fresh flavors and summer colors, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s both delicious and healthy.
Avocado Pasta Salad Ingredients
Here’s a lineup of the ingredients you’ll need for this refreshing avocado pasta salad:
Pasta Salad
- 12 ounces rotini pasta or other short cut pasta: Rotini is a spiral-shaped pasta that holds the dressing well, but you can substitute it with any other short pasta like penne or fusilli.
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled, stoned, and chopped: Avocado adds creaminess and healthy fats to the salad. Use a ripe avocado for the best flavor and texture.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved: Cherry tomatoes provide bursts of sweetness and acidity. Halving them makes them easier to eat in the salad.
- 1 cup frozen corn, thawed: Corn adds a touch of sweetness and crunch. Frozen corn is convenient and works well in this recipe.
- Fresh basil for serving: Basil complements the other flavors in the salad. It’s best added just before serving to maintain its freshness.
Avocado Dressing
- 2 ripe avocados, peeled and cored: These are the base of the dressing that provides a creamy texture and rich flavor.
- 1 cup baby spinach: Spinach adds a boost of nutrients and a slightly earthy flavor to the dressing.
- 1/2 cup almond milk: Almond milk helps to thin out the dressing and make it pourable. You can substitute it with other types of milk or water if needed.
- 1 juiced lemon: Lemon juice adds brightness and acidity to the dressing, balancing the richness of the avocados.
- 1 garlic clove: Garlic adds a pungent flavor that complements the other ingredients in the dressing.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Seasoning is essential to bring out the flavors of all the ingredients.
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil: Olive oil adds richness and a smooth texture to the dressing.
How to Make Avocado Pasta Salad
Here are the steps on how to make this refreshing and flavorful avocado pasta salad that’s perfect for a light lunch or a summer side dish.
- Grab a large pot, fill it with water, add a good pinch of salt, and bring it to a boil. Now, toss in your pasta and cook it according to the package instructions. If you’re using frozen corn, you can toss it right into the boiling water during the last 3-4 minutes of the pasta’s cooking time. That’ll thaw it out perfectly.
- Once the pasta’s done, drain it well. While that’s happening, whip up the avocado dressing. Grab your blender or food processor and toss in the avocados, spinach, almond milk, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Season it up with salt and pepper according to your taste. Slowly drizzle in more olive oil until the dressing becomes smooth, creamy, and emulsified.
- Next, grab a big bowl and toss the cooked pasta with the avocado dressing you just made. Then, add in the tomatoes, corn, and those chopped avocados. Give it all a good toss to make sure everything is coated in that delicious dressing.
- Last but not least, take a handful of fresh basil and sprinkle it over the top for a final touch of flavor and aroma. There you have it. Your avocado pasta salad is ready!
Alternatives & Additions
Get creative and customize your avocado pasta salad with these delicious alternatives and additions:
- Vegetables: Feel free to personalize your pasta salad by adding your favorite vegetables like red onions, broccoli, peas, olives, cucumbers, artichokes, bell peppers, or celery.
- Noodles: You can use any short, textured pasta variety like rotini, fusilli, penne rigate, or rigatoni. For a healthier twist, opt for whole wheat noodles. If you’re gluten-free, simply choose your preferred gluten-free pasta.
- Milk: The dressing is also adaptable. You can use any milk you like, be it plant-based or regular milk. If you prefer, you can even skip the milk altogether.
- Replace Spinach: Don’t feel limited to spinach in the dressing. Try kale, arugula, parsley, cilantro, or basil to explore different flavor profiles.
Tips for Making the Best Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe
Upgrade your avocado pasta salad with these simple tips that guarantee a flavorful and satisfying experience:
- Cook your pasta al dente: Since you’ll be enjoying this salad cold, the pasta’s texture is key. Cooking it al dente ensures it stays firm and doesn’t turn mushy when mixed with the dressing.
- Generously salt your pasta water: The salt not only flavors the pasta but also helps it absorb the dressing better later on. Skipping this step will make it difficult to season your salad properly.
- Don’t rinse the cooked pasta: Toss your pasta with the dressing while it’s still warm. This allows the pasta to absorb the flavors of the dressing more effectively, leaving you with a well-coated and delicious salad. The avocado dressing will also help cool down the pasta.
- Choose ripe avocados for your dressing: Ripe avocados blend easily and create a rich, creamy texture that resembles mayonnaise. This will help emulsify the dressing when combined with the other ingredients.
- Toss your salad gently: This prevents your pasta from breaking apart and keeps it looking beautiful.
- Slowly add olive oil to the dressing: Drizzling the olive oil into the dressing while blending gives it enough time to emulsify, resulting in a creamy and smooth texture.
How to Store Avocado Pasta Salad
Keep your avocado pasta salad fresh and delicious with these storage tips:
- Refrigerate promptly: After preparing the avocado pasta salad, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it immediately. This helps to preserve the freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
- Store separately: If you have leftover dressing, store it separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps to maintain the texture of the salad and prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Consume within 24 hours: For the best quality and taste, consume the avocado pasta salad within 24 hours of preparation. The avocado can start to oxidize and turn brown after this time.
- Add lemon juice: To slow down the oxidation of the avocado, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the salad before storing it.
- Avoid freezing: Avocado pasta salad does not freeze well as the avocado can become mushy when thawed. It is best to consume it fresh or within a day of preparation.
What Can You Serve with Avocado Pasta Salad?
Here are some delicious options to serve alongside it:
- Grilled chicken or fish: The smoky flavors of grilled chicken or fish complement the creamy avocado dressing and fresh vegetables in the pasta salad.
- Shrimp skewers: Grilled or baked shrimp skewers add a touch of elegance and a burst of flavor to the meal.
- Tofu or tempeh: For a vegetarian option, grilled or baked tofu or tempeh provide protein and a hearty texture.
- Garlic bread: Crusty garlic bread is a classic accompaniment to pasta dishes, providing a savory contrast to the creamy avocado salad.
- Bruschetta: Toasted bread topped with tomatoes, basil, and olive oil offers a fresh and flavorful pairing.
- Fruit salad: A refreshing fruit salad with seasonal fruits like berries, melon, and pineapple provides a sweet and tangy contrast to the savory pasta salad.
- Vegetable sticks and dip: Crunchy vegetables like carrots, celery, and cucumber paired with a hummus or yogurt-based dip offer a healthy and satisfying snack alongside the pasta salad.
Packed with nutrients from avocados, tomatoes, and leafy greens, this salad recipe is a treat for your taste buds and a nourishing choice for any season.
Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad
Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad features al dente pasta tossed in a luscious avocado dressing, combined with fresh vegetables, juicy tomatoes, and sweet corn. This delightful salad is a perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and tangy flavors, making it a delicious and healthy meal option for any occasion.
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Blender or food processor
- Colander or strainer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Airtight container (for storing leftovers)
Ingredients
Pasta Salad
- 12 oz rotini pasta or other short cut pasta
- 1 ripe avocado (peeled, stoned, and chopped)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup frozen corn (thawed)
- Fresh basil for serving
Avocado Dressing
- 2 ripe avocados (peeled and cored)
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1 juiced lemon
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Grab a large pot, fill it with water, add a good pinch of salt, and bring it to a boil. Now, toss in your pasta and cook it according to the package instructions. If you're using frozen corn, you can toss it right into the boiling water during the last 3-4 minutes of the pasta's cooking time. That'll thaw it out perfectly.
- Once the pasta’s done, drain it well. While that’s happening, let’s whip up the avocado dressing. Grab your blender or food processor and toss in the avocados, spinach, almond milk, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Season it up with salt and pepper according to your taste. Slowly drizzle in more olive oil until the dressing becomes smooth, creamy, and emulsified.
- Next, grab a big bowl and toss the cooked pasta with the avocado dressing you just made. Then, add in the tomatoes, corn, and those chopped avocados. Give it all a good toss to make sure everything is coated in that delicious dressing.
- Last but not least, grab a handful of fresh basil and sprinkle it over the top for a final touch of flavor and aroma. There you have it. Your avocado pasta salad is ready!
Notes
Storage:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. While they can technically last for about two days, it’s best to consume them within 24 hours to ensure the freshest flavor and prevent the avocado from browning.
Substitutions:
This recipe is delicious as written, but here are some options for customization:
- Almond milk: Feel free to swap it with any other plant-based or regular milk, or simply omit it entirely if you prefer.
- Spinach: Get creative with the greens in your dressing! Kale, arugula, parsley, cilantro, or basil are all great alternatives. You can even leave them out completely.
- Gluten-free option: To make this recipe gluten-free, choose your favorite gluten-free pasta and cook it until it’s al dente.
Nutrition
Calories: 57kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 1gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 35mgPotassium: 165mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 591IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.