Name: Creamy Avocado Whole Wheat Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1 (12 ounce) box whole wheat rotini pasta; 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 3 tablespoons white vinegar; Juice of 1 lemon; 1 tablespoon honey; 2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and chopped; 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced; 1 large carrot, julienned into matchstick-size pieces; 6 green onions, thinly sliced; 1 stalk celery, thinly sliced; 1 clove garlic, minced; 2 teaspoons freshly chopped basil; 2 teaspoons freshly chopped parsley; 2 teaspoons freshly chopped cilantro; 1 teaspoon lemon zest; Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

A vibrant and refreshing pasta salad where creamy avocado meets the hearty texture of whole wheat rotini, creating a symphony of flavors and textures that's both satisfying and nutritious. Perfect as a light lunch or a flavorful side dish.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

8 mins

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the whole wheat rotini and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. (8-10 minutes)

02

Step

2 mins

Drain the pasta immediately and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Set aside to drain completely. (2 minutes)

03

Step

2 mins

In a medium bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, white vinegar, lemon juice, and honey until emulsified and smooth. This creates a tangy and slightly sweet dressing. (2 minutes)

04

Step

5 mins

In a large bowl, gently combine the cooked rotini, chopped avocados, sliced green bell pepper, julienned carrot, sliced green onions, celery, minced garlic, chopped basil, parsley, and cilantro. (5 minutes)

05

Step

2 mins

Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly. Be careful not to mash the avocado too much. (2 minutes)

06

Step

1 mins

Add the lemon zest, salt, and pepper to the pasta salad, adjusting to your taste preferences. Toss again to incorporate. (1 minute)

07

Step

30 mins

Serve the avocado pasta salad immediately at room temperature, or chill for later. Flavors meld together even better after chilling for at least 30 minutes. (30 minutes)

For an extra layer of flavor, toast the whole wheat rotini in a dry skillet for a few minutes before boiling. This adds a nutty taste to the pasta.
Feel free to add other vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, or red onions to customize the salad to your liking.
To prevent the avocado from browning, toss it with a little lemon juice before adding it to the salad.
This salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The avocado may brown slightly, but it will still taste delicious.
For a non-vegan option, consider adding crumbled feta cheese or grilled chicken to the salad.