Avocado Spinach + Pesto Pasta

Normally when I cook I put on some music, I pour myself a glass of wine, I stir slowly and chop gracefully; I take my time and I create masterpieces. It’s fun, relaxing and a totally unrealistic way of cooking for most people.

I’m sure everyone would love if making dinner could be a relaxing part of their day but the truth is that when your afternoon has quickly ran into evening and you’re starving, you really just want something fast without a laundry list of ingredients. So when writing my book Meat On The Side I made an effort to make many of my recipes super easy and without too many ingredients.

The recipes that focused on this concept are called 10-in-20 recipes, meaning they have 10 ingredients or less and take 20 minutes or less to cook.

As much as I like making dinner, there are more than a couple days a week where I just want it done as quickly as possible. Without sacrificing flavor of course! 

Just because we are making a 10-in-20 meal doesn’t mean it can’t be a fabulous meal! So here is another 10-in-20 recipe that is quick and easy and can be served hot, room temp or cold.

 

Going to a BBQ or summer gathering and need to bring a dish? It’s time for this Avocado, Spinach + Pesto Pasta! No need to tell anyone it’s only 7 ingredients and was whipped together in the time it took you to cook the pasta. We can keep that between ourselves.  

 

Avocado, Spinach + Pesto Pasta

10-in-20

Serves 4

1 avocado

5 ounces spinach, 4 cups packed

Juice of 1 lemon

3 tablespoons pesto

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 pound short cut pasta

4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

2 cups chopped tomatoes, sprinkled with salt

1. Add 1 cup of the reserved cooking water to the blender with the other ingredients for the sauce and puree until smooth. Stir the sauce into the pasta and toss until combined, adding more of the pasta water if necessary.

FF: You will be thrilled to watch your kids gobble up this spinach packed dish. But if Feta is too aggressive for them try chunks of fresh mozzarella or whatever their favorite cheese is.

Make it Meaty: Top the pasta with mini meatballs, crispy prosciutto or breaded chicken.

You might also like these recipes:

• Brown Butter Cucumbers + Popped Amaranth
• Brie + Honey Crostini
• Veggie Bolognese
• Chard Sandwich w/ Sundried Tomato Smear
• Cauliflower Alfredo