Creamy Avocado Pesto

Ingredients

Pasta

8 ounces (spaghetti, fettuccine, or your choice)

Salt

to taste

Black pepper

to taste

Extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup

Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup, grated

Lemon juice

2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed

Pine nuts

1/4 cup

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Fresh basil leaves

2 cups, packed

Ripe avocado

1 large, pitted and peeled

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. In a food processor, combine the avocado, basil leaves, minced garlic, pine nuts, lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. If the pesto is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
4. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired.
5. In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the avocado pesto until well coated, adding more pasta water if needed to help the sauce adhere.
6. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of pine nuts for added texture.