Cheesy Avocado Spinach Pasta

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This irresistible pasta dish combines creamy avocado, vibrant spinach and a cheesy twist. With its luscious textures and harmonious blend of ingredients, this cheesy avocado spinach pasta recipe is sure to impress both your taste buds and your dinner guests.

First, gather all the ingredients you need to bring this delightful pasta dish to life. The star of the show is the fusilli, which is ready to provide the perfect al dente texture to our pasta. You’ll also need some olive oil to create a flavorful base for our dish.

Start by cooking the pasta according to the package directions, ensuring it's cooked just right. As the pasta cooks, reserve 4 tablespoons of the cooking water, as it will come in handy later to create a silky and smooth sauce. Once cooked, drain the pasta and return it to the pot.

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat up the olive oil, creating a fragrant sizzle. To the heated oil, add sliced onions, chopped garlic, a sprinkle of salt and a dash of black pepper. These ingredients come together and dance in the skillet for about 5 minutes, turning golden brown and releasing their enticing aromas.

Now it's time to add the baby spinach and diced tomatoes to the skillet, letting them join the flavor party. The spinach and tomatoes cook and soften, absorbing the savory essence of the onions and garlic. With a few minutes of tossing and stirring, these ingredients become tender and ready to infuse the pasta with their delightful flavors.

Next, combine the cooked pasta with the sautéed spinach, tomatoes, onions and garlic, ensuring that every strand of pasta is coated with the deliciousness of the skillet. The flavors meld together, creating a symphony of taste and aroma that will make your mouth water.

Incorporate the diced avocado to the pasta. The creamy and buttery avocado brings a luxurious and velvety texture to the dish, elevating it to new heights. To enhance the creaminess and add a touch of cheesy goodness, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta. The residual heat from the pasta and skillet will gently melt the cheese, creating a creamy coating that envelops each bite.

To bring it all together, add the reserved cooking water to the skillet, allowing it to mingle with the ingredients and create a silky sauce that binds everything together. Tossing the pasta gently, ensure that the cheese melts and blends with the avocado and spinach, resulting in a rich and luxurious sauce that clings to the pasta strands.

Finally, it's time to serve this delectable cheesy avocado spinach pasta. Make sure to serve it warm, allowing the flavors to shine at their best. Each forkful will be a delightful combination of creamy avocado, vibrant spinach, tangy tomatoes and a hint of cheesy goodness. It's a pasta dish that brings comfort and satisfaction with every bite.

Directions:                    

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 4 tablespoons of cooking water, then drain pasta and return to pot.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes or until golden brown.
3. Add spinach and tomatoes and cook 3 minutes, tossing frequently until they are soft. Toss with pasta.
4. Add avocado, cheese and reserved cooking water. Toss until cheese melts. Serve warm.

Recipe and Photo Courtesy of Amie Valpone, The Healthy Apple  

Calories 320 Total Fat 16g Sodium 240mg Total Carbohydrate 39g Fiber 3g Sugars 3g Protein 6g