Avocados aren’t just great for quesadillas, tacos, nachos, and fajitas. They can and have been used in a lot of vegan-friendly dishes as a substitute for heavy dairy products. I always use avocado in replacement of most mayonnaise and cream-involved dishes, such as sandwiches, casseroles, salads, sauces, and toppings that would usually warrant sour cream.
Mayonnaise has very little natural nutrition in it. It only contains fat, cholesterol, sodium, and carbs, whereas avocado is sodium-free and has nutrients and vitamins, including fiber, folate, and vitamins C, K, and B6. Avocados are just a healthier option that still gives food that light touch and refreshing bite that we crave without the excess harm to our health.
I wanted to share a car-camping-friendly meal that is simple, tasty, and quick to make that includes avocado. This plant-based creamy avocado pasta is a completely vegan option for lunch and dinner that can be shared with friends. This recipe is actually one of the first ones I made when I first started venturing into the outdoors as a vegan camper. I would prep the veggies ahead of time and store them in reusable baggies and containers before sautéing and mixing everything together. Try it out on your next car camping trip.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Yields: 12 servings
Ingredients:
4 medium-sized ripe Avocado, pitted
2 lemons, juiced
3 tsp of garlic
1 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
2 tsp Italian seasoning
4 tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil
2 boxes. of your choice of pasta
1 tsp Black pepper, or to taste
3 tomatoes
1 onion (optional)
1 16 oz package of button mushrooms (optional)
Directions:
Bring several cups of water to a boil in 2 medium-sized pots. Add in your pasta, reduce heat to medium, and cook until Al Dente, about 8-10 minutes.
If you are adding onion and mushrooms, dice and then saute them in a pan.
While that’s going, make the sauce by mixing the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, pitted avocado, Italian seasoning, and salt, and mix well until it’s smooth and creamy.
Add your mushroom and onion mixture if you are including these ingredients.
When the pasta is finished cooking, drain it in a strainer and then place the pasta into a large bowl.
Pour the sauce on top and toss everything until it’s fully combined. Garnish with lemon zest, black pepper, and diced tomato if you want, and serve immediately.