Description
Creamy avocado pasta salad delivers a Mediterranean-inspired symphony of fresh herbs and zesty lime. Summer gatherings will come alive with this simple, nutritious dish that combines rich textures and bold flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- 3 ripe avocados, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup corn (cooked and cooled)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil pasta in generously salted water until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes, ensuring al dente texture. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process, then allow to cool completely.
- Create vibrant dressing by mashing ripe avocado into silky smooth consistency. Incorporate olive oil, zesty lime juice, aromatic garlic, and warm ground cumin. Season with salt and pepper, whisking until harmoniously blended.
- Transfer cooled pasta into expansive mixing vessel. Gently fold in diced avocados, vibrant cherry tomatoes, sharp red onion, crisp cucumber, and sweet corn kernels.
- Cascade creamy avocado dressing across salad ingredients, using delicate motion to distribute evenly and coat each component thoroughly.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, releasing its bright, herbaceous essence. Optionally refrigerate for 30 minutes to intensify flavor profile, allowing ingredients to marinate and meld together.
- Serve chilled as refreshing side dish or light summer meal, presenting a colorful and nutritious culinary creation that celebrates fresh, vibrant ingredients.
Notes
- Swap bowtie pasta with gluten-free alternatives like quinoa or rice pasta for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Enhance protein content by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to transform this into a more substantial meal.
- Keep avocados from browning by adding lime juice directly onto diced pieces, which prevents oxidation and maintains vibrant green color.
- Prepare dressing just before serving to maintain optimal freshness and prevent separation of ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg