Avocado Pesto Pasta

by KetoFocus.com
5 Stars (3 Reviews) 6 Comments

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Easy

Creamy avocado pesto sauce drizzles over a bed of low carb noodles. This keto basil pesto pasta dish is an easy lunch you can make in a snap with avocados.

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Nutrition Facts

2

Servings

465

Calories

33.6g

Fat

18.5g

Protein

4.1g

Net Carb

10.1g

Total Carbs

Avocado Pesto Pasta Recipe Video

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Avocado Pesto Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 cups basil leaves
  • 1 tablespoon pine nuts
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 avocado

Keto Pasta Ingredients

  • 9 oz hearts of palm noodles or zucchini noodles
  • 1 cup shredded chicken, optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Avocado Pesto Pasta Directions

  • STEP
    1

    Puree sauce

    Add all ingredients for the avocado pesto to a food processor. Pulse until smooth.

    chunks of avocado on a bed of basil leaves in a food processor
  • STEP
    2

    Add noodles

    Heat noodles according to package directions or on the stove top for 1-2 minutes. Stir in avocado pesto sauce. Add chicken if using. Continue cooking until heated through.

    mixing avocado pesto sauce into chicken and noodles
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Keto Avocado Pesto Pasta Recipe

a bowl of pasta with lemon and avocado near

Having a wholesome quick lunch is easier than you think. This creamy avocado pesto pasta is your solution to Italian food cravings on a low carb diet and a simple keto lunch you can make in a snap. Simply add your fresh pesto ingredients to a food processor. Add some avocado to make this pesto creamy and smooth. Then pour over your favorite low carb noodles.

Avocado pesto pasta can be prepped up ahead of time to make packing lunch for work or home easy with little effort. Italian flavors of fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts are combined with avocado to make the ultimate noodle dish for any meal.

creamy pesto mixed into keto noodles

Avocado Pesto

Traditionally pesto is made with fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil and some parmesan cheese. In this low carb recipe, we add a half an avocado to make this mixture creamy and thick. It provides the perfect based to stick to your favorite keto noodle. Using avocado is the perfect match. Not only does it add flavor to your pesto, but it adds fat, fiber and lots of vitamins.

blended avocado pesto sauce in a food processor

Are Avocados Keto?

Yes, avocados are keto approved. Avocados are a fruit you can feel free to eat on the keto diet. They are filled with healthy fats, specifically monounsaturated fatty acids. They contain lots of fiber, so while their total carb count may seem high, they are actually quite low in net carbs. There is about 1.8 grams net carbs per 100 grams of avocado.

Avocados also offer more potassium compared to bananas. Sometimes electrolytes can be lower or out of balance on the keto diet. Eating avocados regularly will keep your potassium levels in check.

hearts of palm noodles in a white bowl

Keto Noodle Options

There are a couple different options for low carb noodles when it comes to making a keto pasta dish. You can opt for hearts of palm noodles, shirataki noodles, wheat based low carb pasta or zucchini noodles (aka zoodles).

  • Hearts of Palm Noodles – This is my favorite keto noodles since it takes and looks very similar to wheat based spaghetti noodles; however, it is very low carbs and gluten free. There are 2 grams net carbs per serving. Natural Heavens is a favorite brand of mine. Palmini is another brand you can look for.
  • Shirataki Noodles – This is a zero net carb keto pasta option; however, many complain the noodles are stinky and have a rubber texture when you eat them.
  • Wheat Based Low Carb Pasta – There are some companies who have master a low carb noodle that looks and tastes similar to traditional pasta; however, they do contain gluten. So if you are sensitive, you may get inflammation to this keto pasta.
  • Zucchini Noodles – These are noodles that you can spiralize yourself or purchase them pre-spiralized at the grocery store. Zucchini is relatively low in carbs.

Avocado Pesto Pasta: FAQS

Can I use a different type of nut instead of pine nuts?

Absolutely! Feel free to substitute pine nuts with walnuts or almonds for a different flavor and texture.

What can I use if I don't have fresh basil?

If fresh basil isn't available, you can use spinach or arugula for a slightly different taste, or even try a store-bought pesto for convenience.

How should I store leftover avocado pesto pasta?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It's best enjoyed within 2-3 days, but the avocado may darken slightly.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! This recipe is already vegan-friendly, but you can add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without dairy.

Is this dish suitable for meal prep?

Yes, this avocado pesto pasta is perfect for meal prep! Just keep the sauce separate until you're ready to eat to maintain the freshness of the avocado.

Nutritional information & Macros

Nutrition Information

Avocado Pesto Pasta

Servings: 2

Amount Per Serving
Calories 465
Fat 33.6g
Protein 18.5g
Total Carbs 10.1g
Net Carbs 4.1g

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6 Comments

  1. Super quick and easy to whip up after work, and my husband actually loved it too — we’re both just getting started on keto so wins like this feel amazing. Will definitely make again.

    Reply

  2. I tried this for a quick weeknight dinner and was amazed at how creamy the sauce turned out. I loved the brightness the lemon zest added. Even my picky teen asked for seconds.

    Reply

  3. Really loved how creamy this turned out. I used zucchini noodles and added the shredded chicken for extra protein. It reheated well the next day too.

    Reply

  4. I loved how creamy the sauce turned out using the half avocado along with the olive oil and water combo—it coated the hearts of palm noodles perfectly without being too heavy. The lemon zest added just the right amount of brightness to balance the richness of the avocado. I also tossed in shredded chicken and the optional crushed red pepper flakes for a little extra heat and protein, which made it filling enough for lunch. Blending everything in the food processor was quick, and the texture was super smooth after just a few pulses.

    Reply

  5. This looks SO yummy. I’m a big fan of basil pesto but my husband is not. Have you tried freezing this? success??

    Reply

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