Creamy Avocado and Gouda Cheese Pasta
Ok, I have a confession.
Sometimes when I cook, I totally know what I am doing. I have an idea in my head and a plan to execute it. This is great and things go smoothly.
But then there are the times, when I am so indecisive. It’s like I am a chicken running around with its head cut off. Except I have a very sharp, very large knife in my hand.
Yeah, this is scary. My face gets all red and things are just a mess.
You know what though, when I do not know what the heck I am trying to make is when some of my best recipes are born.
Sure, it is chaotic and I make a HUGE mess and I create a whole lot of dishes for me to wash (which if you are wondering, the combination of hot soapy water and winter does not do well for my hands). And yeah, some of them do not turn out. But the ones that do, tend to be my most creative. Which = deliciousness!
So, here is the story of the pasta.
Basically, I was just going back and forth about what I wanted to make. I had a million ideas and just could not decide on one. Finally I decided. A tomato based italian pasta. Yeah, tomatoes. Not avocados.
So literally in the middle of adding parsley and olives to the pan filled with tomatoes I decided I did not want to make this. I suddenly had this idea brewing for avocado pasta. Then I remembered the the wedge of mediterranean gouda (gouda cheese with mediterranean herbs) sitting in my fridge.
And then I put the two together and made something awesome.
Guys, this is so easy, so simple, and so good. If you don’t have gouda cheese swap in parmesan that would be awesome too! You could even make this vegan by skipping the cheese, but we are not vegans and the cheese adds awesome flavor and creaminess. What can I say, we really like cheese.
And avocados. Obviously.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Creamy Avocado and Gouda Cheese Pasta
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: pasta
This is so easy, so simple, and so good. If you don't have gouda cheese swap in parmesan that would be awesome too!
Ingredients
- 1 pound fettuccine pasta
- 2 medium size ripe avocado's pitted and removed from skins
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 1/2 cup milk or plain almond milk I used skim milk
- 3/4 cup mediterranean gouda or gouda cheese finely shredded or grated
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
- salt and pepper to taste
- crushed red pepper flakes for serving (optional)
Instructions
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Bring several cups of water to a boil in a medium sized pot. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions. Reserve a large coffee cup of the pasta water before draining. (Note that the pasta does not continue to cook in the sauce, so cook until desired doneness)
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Meanwhile, make the sauce by placing the avocado, garlic and lemon juice into a food processor. Process until smooth. Make sure there are no longer any chunks of avocado, and then add the milk and process again until smooth. Add in the basil, cheese and a pinch of salt and pepper. Process until smooth and creamy and you no longer see any cheese shreds. You want the sauce to be as smooth as possible.
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When pasta is done cooking (don't forget to reserve some of the cooking water), drain in a strainer and place the pasta into a large serving bowl. Pour on the sauce, add toasted pine nuts and toss until fully combined. Add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce a bit. Garnish with fresh basil, crushed red pepper flakes and black pepper. Serve immediately.
Green and ready for spring!
Shared with: Inside BruCru Life, Lil Luna, Chef In Training, Buns In my Oven, Foodie Friday Friends, Tidy Mom, Taste and Tell, Cheerios and Lattes, Somewhat Simple, Mom on Timeout, I Heart Nap Time, Fine Craft Guide, The Country Cook, Whipperberry, Chef In Training
I do not know what gouda cheese is, but this dish looks delicious. I could parmesan cheese though.
Gouda is just a really good creamy cheese, but parmesan will be delicious!
Yes you can use Parmesans that is what I used, it was so delicious. my son made a ground beef, mushroom, spinach and two cheese pie for brunch and I used some of the leftover sauce for the pie and it was awesome I also used the creamy avocado sauce for a side dressing for salads
Ya!! So glad you guys liked this Sarah!! What a good idea to use the creamy avocado sauce as a dressing!! So delicious!! Thanks for giving it a try!
We love avocado pasta. Will be adding gouda next time!
Mm gouda and avocado! I bet this pasta was creamy and dreamy. This is happening in my house soon!
I find my best successes come from HUGE messes. It makes it more fun, lol. This pasta? Amazeballs. Totally would inhale it!
I talk the delicious successes and leave the mess! Thank you.
This is brilliant!
Thank you!
This looks delicious! And so easy that even I could do this 😉 I pinned it!
Thanks for pinning!
Yum! I’ve never tried avacado pasta before – but I LOVE gouda! This might get be to try it!
I’ve been wanting to try avocado pasta for awhile and this recipe looks like the one to try! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!
2 of my favorites brought together…avocado and pasta! This looks so creamy and delish! Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a blessed week & come back soon.
Another recipe immediately printed. We will be trying a lot of new recipes this week! 🙂
This looks terrific. I love avocado anything!
I think it’s funny that at every link party, somehow your recipes are one of the few I click on to visit! No matter what I always end up at the one you share. Love the photography and the food ideas. Keep it up.
Yes! This make me happy!
SO gorgeous and looks delicious! I love pasta. I love avocados. And, as everyone knows, I am addicted to cheese. lol Found you at the “Marvelous Mondays” link up! 🙂 – Claire
I have been dying to try an avocado pasta, and I’m loving your addition of gouda!!
Oh This looks Amazing! I love pasta of any kind! This is going on my must make list. Thanks for Sharing at Show Me Your Plaid Monday’s!
I love avocado! This is like a “fancy” mac and cheese but so much better with the avocado. I am pinning this now! Thanks so much for the recipe.
Thanks so much for pinning!
This is a combination I would not have come up with but it looks fantastic. Plus it is a quick recipe. Awesome! Thanks for sharing.
I love Gouda. I love avocado. I love pasta. This recipe sounds like pure heaven to me! I’ve Pinned it, and can’t wait to give it a try. Meanwhile, I wanted to invite you to join my How To Tuesday link party, if you haven’t already joined . It would be wonderful to have you!
http://housewifehowtos.com/linkage/link-party-2/how-to-tuesday-link-party-12-and-features/
Thanks so much for pinning!
You don’t have any nutritional facts on this do you? I was just wanted to see how healthy 🙂 Looks awesome!!
Sorry, I do not. I just know I used real food, nothing processed and all healthy! Hope you enjoy it!
You could enter the recipe in a calculator like myfitnesspal.com to get an idea of nutritional content.
I was just wondering what the leftovers looked like (if there were any because I would eat all of it!!) Did the avocado go brown in the fridge afterwards?
Yes! It did go brown, but it still tasted amazing! I would recommend this pasta be eaten right away, other wise it is just not pretty and people eat with their eyes first!
oh my god! why did i never think of avocado pasta? what a dope. it sounds delicious i’ll be making it friday night!
Great use of Avocado!
I would love this! I wish my boyz liked pasta… oh, well, maybe I’ll make a batch for myself 🙂
I love this esp now that avocado is in season! Can’t wait to try! Got you from Simple Living and Eating Foodie Friday link party. Just pinned this!
This looks absolutely WONDERFUL! You pretty much had me at “avocado” lol! What an interesting combination, but I bet it totally works!!!
I would love it if you would come share this on my new Link Party…the FESTIVE FRIDAY FIESTA! (Ole!)
Here is the link if you’re interested in stopping by!
http://the-home-girl-blog.blogspot.com/2013/03/welcome-to-festive-friday-fiesta-link.html
Thanks so much for sharing this! Hope you have a great evening! =D
Thanks so much, I will come and stop by!
I have everything except the cheese and I will
get it tomorrow.. thanks so much for sharing this.
Looks like my kind of food!
sandy
Hope you like it!
This looks beautiful and sounds delicious! Pinning to remember to try soon!
Thank you and thanks for pinning!
Hhhmmm…this looks so yummy. I am pinning it. I love your photography and styling. It’s beautiful.
Thanks fo pinning!
YUM!! Love me some good pasta 🙂 Thanks so much for coming to (link) party with me… I hope you’ll come again next week to Super Saturday Show & Tell! http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com xoxo~ Ruthie
This looks AMAZING! Definitely going on my menu for this week! I wouldn’t have thought to add gouda to the avocado sauce… looking forward to trying this!
This looks so rich and delicious! I love avocado!
Found you at What’s Cooking with Ruthie!
This looks delicious. I can’t wait to try it. My family loves pasta dishes, avocado and cheese so it is a winner.
Yum. This looks super delicious. I am eager to serve this to my family. We will love it.
Hope your family likes it!
I love pasta and I love avocados, but I have never had the two together before! Where have I been?? I’m going to make this tonight since I have all the ingredients and can’t wait to try it.
YA! Let me know what you think! Hope you like it!
Your pics are exquisite!
Thank you!!
OMG!!! I just made this recipe and it was terrific!
I love avocados but I’ve never have them hot or cooked in any way.
This is one of the most delicious pasta sauces I’ve ever tried.
I didn’t have the exact same ingredients but dried basil and regular nuts did the trick.
I’m gonna make it again with fresh basil, I bet that would make it even more wonderful.
Thank you for sharing. I have it in mi Pinterest food board already!
YES! I am so happy you loved this! I LOVE reading comments like this one!
Wonderfully creative recipe and totally amazing photos, as usual!!!! Thanks for linking up!
Oh this really does look so good!
I would love for you to link it up at Empty Your Archive link party – there is a special focus this week on fabulous pasta recipes, Alice @ Mums Make Lists x
Thank you!
I’ve made this 2x…this is great. I think Parm cheese would be a great sub for Gouda, but it sure is fun using the Gouda, and oh so tasty, too. Very easy, very good. Bonus, my 2 and 5 year old kids both ate it willingly, hooray!
I am new to your site but I have so many things bookmarked to try…your pictures are awesome! Thanks!
WOW! Thank you! I am so glad you guys loved this and thank you so much for reading and giving my recipes are try! I love comments like yours!
You had me at “gouda.” Pinning this now!
Ha! Thanks for pinning Kelly!
Amazing recipe! I am a lover of both avocado and pasta and I really enjoy taking risks in the kitchen. This recipe satisfied all of those tendencies! The only thing I’m worried about is how long it will keep???
So happy you loved this, Lauren!! The only bad thing about the recipe is that the sauce does turn a not so pretty color after a day or so. It taste good, but is not all that pretty anymore. Bummer I know!
Thanks so much for making this and again, I am so happy you loved it!
LOVE. This recipe was so delicious, I couldn’t get enough. The local grocery store didn’t have fresh basil so I had to use basil from a spice jar. Was still amazing.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Amazing recipe! I Love creamy avocado and gouda cheese pasta.
Thank you!
I used sunflower seeds and pine nuts and it worked great. Makes a really tasty pasta and leftover sauce was used as dip.
Sounds awesome! So happy this went great for you! Thank you Nishna!
This was a delightful. I didn’t have basil or pine nuts on hand, I used Asiago cheese, I will be making this again. I was surprised the avocado didn’t turn black. Thank you
I am so glad this turned out so well for you, Roxanne! Thank you so much!
Is there a way to do this without a food processor ?
Hi Karla,
You could use a blender or just mix well by hand. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan