Get ready to transform your pasta night with a dish that's about to become your new obsession! This Avocado Pesto Pasta with Chicken Sausage isn't just another recipe—it's a culinary adventure that combines the rich, velvety texture of ripe avocados with the classic Italian charm of pesto, all elevated by savory chicken sausage. Imagine a meal that's creamy, packed with protein, and ready in just 25 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress dinner guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 chicken sausages, cooked and sliced
- 1 clove garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil as needed
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the avocado pesto sauce. Cut the ripe avocados in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a food processor.
- Add fresh basil leaves, peeled garlic clove, grated Parmesan cheese, a pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper to the food processor.
- Drizzle in olive oil and blend the mixture until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure a consistent texture.
- Pre-cook the chicken sausages in a skillet over medium heat until they are heated through and have a slight golden brown color, about 5-6 minutes. Slice the sausages into diagonal pieces.
- Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water in case you need to thin out the sauce.
- Return the pasta to the pot and fold in the creamy avocado pesto sauce, mixing gently to coat the pasta evenly.
- Add the sliced chicken sausage and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired.
Tips
- Choose ripe avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure to ensure a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining—it's liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency.
- Blend the pesto sauce just before serving to maintain its vibrant green color and fresh flavor.
- For extra flavor, lightly toast the chicken sausage to develop a nice golden-brown exterior.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, add a splash of lemon juice to brighten the avocado pesto.
- Use a food processor for the smoothest possible pesto sauce, scraping down the sides to ensure even blending.
- Don't overcook the pasta—aim for al dente to maintain the perfect texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 550kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 75mg
