Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the Salad
01 -
8 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle), fresh or dried
02 -
2 ripe avocados, cut into bite-sized chunks
03 -
1 cup sweet cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
04 -
1/2 cup red onion, finely diced for a nice kick
05 -
1/2 cup crisp cucumber, cut into small cubes
06 -
1/2 cup corn kernels, cooked and cooled
07 -
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
→ For the Creamy Dressing
08 -
1 perfectly ripe avocado for mashing
09 -
2 tablespoons good quality olive oil
10 -
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
11 -
1 plump garlic clove, finely minced
12 -
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin for warmth
13 -
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# Instructions:
01 -
Start by bringing a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Add your bowtie pasta and cook it until it's just al dente - tender but still with a slight bite. Once done, drain it well and give it a good rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Let it cool completely while you prep the other ingredients.
02 -
Take your ripe avocado and mash it until it's super smooth - no lumps here! Mix in your olive oil, fresh lime juice, minced garlic, and that warming ground cumin. Season it generously with salt and pepper, tasting as you go until it's just right.
03 -
In your biggest mixing bowl, combine your cooled pasta with those beautiful diced avocados, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp red onions, fresh cucumber chunks, and sweet corn kernels. Pour that creamy avocado dressing all over and gently toss everything together until every bite is coated with goodness.
04 -
Scatter your freshly chopped cilantro over the top like confetti. Your salad is ready to serve right away, but if you've got time, let it chill for about 30 minutes to let all those amazing flavors get to know each other better.
# Notes:
01 -
This salad is best enjoyed within 2 hours of making to keep those avocados looking fresh and beautiful
02 -
Feel free to add some toasted nuts or seeds for an extra satisfying crunch
03 -
Make it your own by adjusting the lime juice and cumin to match your taste buds