Avocado Tomato Basil Pasta Salad with Pesto Avocado Dressing

Avocados From Mexico Avocado Tomato Basil Pasta Salad with Pesto Avocado Dressing Heart-Check Certified Recipe
×

Avocado Tomato Basil Pasta Salad with Pesto Avocado Dressing

The tasty salad uses nutritious avocados in place of mayonnaise for a rich and creamy dressing.

This Heart-Check Certified recipe is brought to you by Avocados From Mexico.

Ingredients

Servings  8   Serving Size   1 cup salad 2 tablespoons dressing

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1 avocado (peeled, pitted, sliced)
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil (chopped)
  • 2 garlic cloves (mashed)
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-fat, grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 avocado (cubed)
  • 3 cups enriched whole wheat rotini pasta, cooked
  • 1/2 red onion (diced)
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes (tri-colored), halved
  • 1 1/2 cups lower-sodium, canned garbanzo beans (chickpeas) (drained, rinsed)
  • 2 cups spinach (chopped)
  • 2 ounces reduced-fat feta (crumbled)
  • 10 kalamata olives (drained, chopped)
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil (chopped)
  • 1/2 tablespoon red chili pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 large English cucumber, quartered, diced

Directions

Tip: Click on step to mark as complete.

  1. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Do not overcook – it is better to have firm pasta or slightly undercooked (al dente).
  2. Salad Dressing: In a separate bowl combine all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Store in the refrigerator until ready to prepare pasta salad. Refrigerate any remaining dressing for future use.
  3. Pasta Salad: In a large bowl, combine pasta, vegetables, cheese, olives, chickpeas, and herbs and combine with Pesto Avocado Dressing. Squeeze lemon juice on salad before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Avocado Tomato Basil Pasta Salad with Pesto Avocado Dressing
CaloriesCalories
250 Per Serving
ProteinProtein
g Per Serving
FiberFiber
8g Per Serving

Nutrition Facts

Calories 250
Total Fat 16.0 g
Saturated Fat 2.0 g
Trans Fat 0.0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 12. g
Cholesterol 3 mg
Sodium 255 mg
Total Carbohydrate 27 g
Dietary Fiber 8 g
Sugars 4 g
Added Sugars 8 g
Protein g

Dietary Exchanges
1 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 2 fat

 

The tasty salad uses nutritious avocados in place of mayonnaise for a rich and creamy dressing.

This Heart-Check Certified recipe is brought to you by Avocados From Mexico.

Nutrition Facts

Avocado Tomato Basil Pasta Salad with Pesto Avocado Dressing
CaloriesCalories
250 Per Serving
ProteinProtein
g Per Serving
FiberFiber
8g Per Serving
×
Calories 250
Total Fat 16.0 g
Saturated Fat 2.0 g
Trans Fat 0.0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 12. g
Cholesterol 3 mg
Sodium 255 mg
Total Carbohydrate 27 g
Dietary Fiber 8 g
Sugars 4 g
Added Sugars 8 g
Protein g

Dietary Exchanges
1 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 2 fat

Ingredients

Servings  8   Serving Size   1 cup salad 2 tablespoons dressing

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1 avocado (peeled, pitted, sliced)
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil (chopped)
  • 2 garlic cloves (mashed)
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-fat, grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 avocado (cubed)
  • 3 cups enriched whole wheat rotini pasta, cooked
  • 1/2 red onion (diced)
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes (tri-colored), halved
  • 1 1/2 cups lower-sodium, canned garbanzo beans (chickpeas) (drained, rinsed)
  • 2 cups spinach (chopped)
  • 2 ounces reduced-fat feta (crumbled)
  • 10 kalamata olives (drained, chopped)
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil (chopped)
  • 1/2 tablespoon red chili pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 large English cucumber, quartered, diced

Directions

Tip: Click on step to mark as complete.

  1. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Do not overcook – it is better to have firm pasta or slightly undercooked (al dente).
  2. Salad Dressing: In a separate bowl combine all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Store in the refrigerator until ready to prepare pasta salad. Refrigerate any remaining dressing for future use.
  3. Pasta Salad: In a large bowl, combine pasta, vegetables, cheese, olives, chickpeas, and herbs and combine with Pesto Avocado Dressing. Squeeze lemon juice on salad before serving.
 

American Heart Association recipes are developed or reviewed by nutrition experts and meet specific, science-based dietary guidelines and recipe criteria for a healthy dietary pattern.

Some recipes may be suitable for people who are managing diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and/or other conditions or seeking low-sodium, low-fat, low-sugar, low-cholesterol or low-calories recipes. However, this site and its services do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific dietary needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care provider.

Copyright is owned or held by the American Association, Inc. (AHA), except for recipes certified by the Heart-Check recipe certification program or otherwise indicated. All rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, to link to or share AHA-own recipes provided that no text, ingredients or directions are altered; no substitutions are made; and proper attribution is made to the American Heart Association. See full terms of use.