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Test Kitchen Approved

Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad

PorkStove-TopGastro-Pub

Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

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About

Nothing says it's finally summer like a good pasta salad. We highly recommend this Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad to get your summer off to a great start, or just for when you're craving those warm weather flavors. Beat the balmy bliss with this cool and tender pasta, loaded with crispy bacon and juicy tomatoes, keyed up with ripe avocado chunks, and smothered in perfectly seasoned, creamy avocado-infused dressing. Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad is a refreshing way to usher in all of the summer vibes. It's so chill and so delicious! You won't even remember it's December!

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Ingredients

  • For the salad:
  • 1/2 (16-ounce) box rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1 green onion, thinly sliced
  • For the dressing:
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1/2 fresh lime, juiced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste

Directions

Step 1 -In a large pot of salted, boiling water, cook the rotini to al dente, according to the package directions.

Step 2 -While the rotini is cooking, in a blender or food processor, add the whole avocado, the juice from 1/2 fresh lime, 1/4 cup of the cilantro, the cumin, the garlic powder, the buttermilk, the salt, and the black pepper and blend until it is smooth.

Step 3 -Transfer the dressing mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Step 4 -Drain the rotini and then run the pasta under cold water, draining again to ensure no liquid remains. Add the drained pasta to a large bowl.

Step 5 -Toss the diced avocado with the remaining 1 teaspoon lime juice and then add it to the bowl with the pasta.

Step 6 -Add the remaining cilantro, the cherry tomatoes, the crumbled bacon, the green onion, and the dressing to the pasta mixture and toss well to combine.

Step 7 -Tightly cover and refrigerate the salad for 1 hour.

Step 8 -Plate and serve.

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