This garlic scape pesto avocado pasta is a healthy, vegetarian dinner the the entire family will love.
Have you ever tried cooking with garlic scapes? They’re the beautiful, tentacle-shaped flower stems of the garlic plant and they pack a strong flavor punch.
I was a bit thrown off by them at first because they can be tough and fibrous. But a little experimentation was all I needed to become a fan. Garlic scapes are wonderful when sliced thin and sautéed with vegetables.
They also make an excellent base for pesto.
This pesto is very strong by itself, which is why I like to combine a few tablespoons with an avocado to create a creamy pasta sauce. The avocado softens the intensity of the garlic flavor and creates a smooth coating for pasta. It’s a lovely, light vegetarian dinner option.
Creamy Avocado Pasta with Garlic Scape Pesto
Ingredients
Garlic scape pesto:
- 1 cup chopped garlic scapes
- 1/4 cup fresh mint
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil
- 1/2 cup packed baby arugula (regular arugula will also work)
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 1/2 cup pecorino romano or parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
For the pasta:
- 1 pound pasta of choice (I used thin spaghetti)
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
- 3 tablespoons garlic scape pesto
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- To prepare the pesto, combine the garlic scapes, mint, basil, arugula, salt and pine nuts in a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are all chopped and then scrape down the sides of the bowl. With the machine running, add the olive oil until the ingredients are combined.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook to pasta according to package instructions.
- While the pasta is cooking, add the avocado, 3 tablespoons pesto, milk, lemon juice, salt and pepper to a blender. Puree until smooth.
- Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water. Toss the cooked pasta together with the avocado pesto sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
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Julia @Vikalinka says
I love the originality of this dish! My mom used to flavour boiled new potatoes with butter and scapes when I was growing up. It does have quite a strong flavour and I am sure avocado softens it a bit. Does avocado turn brown in the sauce?
Jennifer Farley says
The lemon juice keeps the avocados from oxidizing
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
I don’t think I’ve ever tried garlic scapes (!). But I do LOVE me some avocado pasta, so I’ll have to try this ASAP!
Mary@siftingfocus.com says
Jennifer, these photos are just gorgeous! And the recipe just as enticing.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Beautiful, love the creamy sauce!
kristy @ the wicked noodle says
I love cooking with garlic scapes and this dish looks wonderful!
Matt Robinson says
I love the flavors in this and your photos are simply beautiful, as always!
Millie says
This looks amazing Jennifer – love the sound of the creamy avocado!
Marie @ Little Kitchie says
I looove avocado pasta. This sounds lovely with the pesto!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says
I am so intrigued with this garlic scape pesto! Looks amazing!
mila furman says
Ahhh not only are your pictures gorgeous but now you have me craving this utterly delicioso pasta! Gorgeous and an absolute must to try! You have been pinned lady! :)
bakersroyale@yahoo.com says
I love the concentrated flavor of garlic scape – great idea to temper it;s punch with avocado.
Kate @ Diethood says
This looks seriously incredible!! LOVE the flavors!
Ashley says
I love garlic scapes but haven’t cooked with them in way too long! Loving the sound of this pasta and perfect for summer.
Sini | my blue&white kitchen says
I’m in love with these photos! I’ve cooked a couple of times with garlic scapes, as they are hard to come by. This pesto sounds amazing.
Kitchen Belleicious says
garlic scape pesto? WHAT! Did i hear you right? that sounds amazing. Oh i love my pasta but even more I love my pesto. I can’t wait to try this