This Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad is perfect for summer picnics, barbeques, or just when you want to meal prep something simple for the week. I used my favorite gluten-free pasta, tossed it with fresh vegetables, and topped it with a homemade creamy avocado dressing!
12OuncesGluten-Free PastaI used cassava flour pasta.
2CupsGrape Tomatoes, Diced
2CupsSweet Peppers, Diced
1CupEnglish Cucumbers, Diced
1CupChopped OlivesAny pitted olive will work!
Creamy Dressing
1CupAvocadoAbout 1 large avocado.
1CupUnsweetened Coconut Milk
⅓CupFresh Cilantro, Packed
2TablespoonsLemon JuiceAbout 1 lemon juiced.
½TeaspoonSalt
¼TeaspoonBlack Pepper
Instructions
Preparing the Pasta
Start by preparing the pasta. Boil heavily salted water in a large sauce pan. Once it's boiling, turn the heat to medium/low and pour in the entire box of pasta. (Make sure to stir!)
Follow the timing on the box, but check to make sure it's soft before draining the pasta.
Once it's done, pour the pasta into a strainer and rise with cold water. Pour a little olive oil at the bottom of the sauce pan, and transfer the pasta back into the pan. Stir around until the noodles are evenly coated with olive oil. (This will keep them from sticking.)
Preparing the Vegetables
Rinse and dry all of your vegetables before cutting.
Peel your cucumber, and chop into bite sized pieces. Repeat with tomatoes, peppers, and olives. Set the vegetables aside while you prepare the dressing.
Creamy Dressing
Add avocado, coconut milk, cilantro, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper into a food processor or blender.
Blend on low for a few seconds, and then slowly turn the speed up. Remove the cover, scrape down the sides, and blend again for about 20-30 seconds. It should be smooth and creamy!
Assembling the Salad
In a large serving bowl add pasta and vegetables. Stir around a few times, and then pour overtop the dressing. Stir until the mixture is evenly coated.
Let the salad chill for at least an hour before serving! Enjoy!
Notes
Optional Add-In's
Cubed Avocado - I love stirring incubed avocado with my leftover pasta salad! I don't add it in right away because the avocado gets brown and mushy if you leave it in overnight. Serve it fresh with your salad the next day!
Goat Cheese - If you can tolerate goat cheese, try sprinkling fresh feta on top to give it a little extra flavor!
Extra Cilantro - After the salad is prepped, I love stirring in more cilantro for an extra kick of flavor!
Helpful Tips
Make sure the avocado is ripe. If the avocado isn't super ripe, the sauce won't blend easily. I also find that the flavor of avocado is much better when they're fully ripe!
Cook the gluten-free pasta until it's a little softer. I noticed that with rice pasta, after it has chilled for a while the texture will harden. You can either try a different kind of gluten-free pasta or cook the rice pasta a little longer so it's softer.
Generously salt the water when you add in the pasta. I find this gives the pasta a little more flavor as it's cooking!
Rinse the pasta after you drain it. I've found that rinsing it with cool water after you drain it helps to bring down the temperature before you mix the salad together. It doesn't have to be completely chilled though!
Cut the vegetables into bite sized pieces! There's an amazing tool I discovered last year that does all the chopping for you! It's easy to use, and guarantees they will all be the same size. You can find it on Amazon.
Prepare the salad ahead of time. I typically serve mine at least an hour after I make it. The flavors take time to mesh together, and it tastes best when it's chilled.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you cool down pasta for pasta salad?I like to rinse the pasta with cool water after I drain it, but it does not have to be completely chilled before mixing it in! The dressing and vegetables will help to cool it down. I also recommend chilling the salad for at least an hour before serving.
Will the dressing turn brown if I leave it overnight?No! I think it has something to do with the lemon juice.. but I've noticed that it will not change color or flavor after it's been chilling. You can even prep it the day before, and it will serve well the next day.
How to store leftovers
Leftovers should be stored in an air tight container - I like using glass containers! You can also cover the serving bowl with plastic or reusable wrap. Store it in the refrigerator for up to five days.