Vibrant mac and cheese with luscious avocado and basil pesto sauce. Creamy, flavorful, and ready in 30 minutes.
# Ingredient List:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz macaroni or short pasta
02 - 1 teaspoon salt for pasta water
→ Avocado Pesto Sauce
03 - 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
04 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
05 - 2 cloves garlic
06 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
09 - 1/4 cup milk, dairy or unsweetened plant-based
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnish
12 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese
13 - Fresh basil leaves
14 - Cracked black pepper
# Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining through a colander.
02 - While pasta cooks, combine avocados, basil, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan, lemon juice, milk, salt, and black pepper in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add additional milk as needed to achieve a silky sauce consistency.
03 - Return drained pasta to the pot. Pour avocado pesto sauce over pasta and toss gently to coat evenly. Gradually add reserved pasta water to reach desired sauce consistency.
04 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately while hot, topped with extra Parmesan, fresh basil, and cracked black pepper.
