This pesto spaghetti is like summer in a dinner bowl.—Extra-creamy avocado pesto and smoky grilled corn takes your pesto pasta over the top in the flavor department!
So I’m taking a poll y’all. How would you classify a hypothetical person’s obsession with pesto? Serious or not-so serious? Slightly disturbing or totally normal? Plain weird or plain awesome?
No, seriously. I’m asking for…a friend. ???
So about this pesto pasta, guys…it’s totally fitting right into our hello-SUMMER theme we’ve got going this week. That and also the fact that I figured you might need something obnoxiously green to make you feel better about all those hamburgers and bowls of ice cream you enjoyed over the long weekend but are probably not enjoying thinking about now.
I feel you. Long holiday weekends are pretty much a death sentence to diets. Greeeeeeeeen to the rescue!!
If we wanna get real here for a sec I should tell you that a post-weekend diet that consists of carbs is definitely nothing to complain about. I understand you and you understand me.
I also understand that I can be pretty convincing when I wanna be. How am I doing right now?
So let’s get to our green business. First thing you should know is that there’s pretty much just THREE steps involved in making summer’s finest pesto pasta. –> –>
- Cook off your spaghetti.
- Make your creamy, flavorful avocado pesto.
- Throw a few ears of corn on the grill for a few minutes until charred and smoky.
And ohhhhh heavens, I feel a pesto swoon coming on.
Seriously. Look at how creamy! Look at all that green gold!
Don’t look at me currently doing a doing a cannonball into this bowl of green glory. ♥♥
Avocado Pesto Spaghetti with Grilled Corn
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Ingredients
- 2 cups loosely-packed baby spinach
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 medium ripe avocado pitted and diced
- 1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 ears sweet corn silk and husks removed
- 1 lb hot spaghetti pasta cooked according to package instructions and 1/2 cup cooking water reserved
Instructions
- Place spinach, basil, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan, and avocado in a food processor. With food processor running, drizzle 1/4 cup olive oil through the top until pesto is smooth, scraping down the sides if necessary. Season pesto with salt and pepper to taste.
- Brush ears of corn with remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil. Grill over medium-high heat until corn is slightly charred, turning occasionally. When corn is cool enough to handle, cut the corn off the cobs.
- Assemble the pasta: Toss hot pasta with pesto and grilled corn. Drizzle reserved 1/2 cup cooking water into pasta and season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Let me take you to PESTO land!!
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Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I’m pretty much addicted to pesto and could eat it just about every day! This spaghetti is SO creative, Sarah! I love the grilled corn in here. Such a fun way to add a touch of summer to this dish!
Sarah says
Haha! You and me both, girl! Pesto is the bomb.com 😀
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado says
Pesto is da best! Especially when it consists of avocado 😉 But seriously I wanna slurp all this spaghetti!
Sarah says
Slurping spaghetti = the ONLY way to go with this! 😀 Love it.
Mimi says
I was intrigued what you did, since this isn’t a “real” pesto, and I’m really excited to throw in an avocado next time I make a small batch! It’s quite brilliant, really! And pretty!
Sarah says
The avocado makes it seriously SO creamy and amazing! You will love it, Mimi! 🙂
aimee @ like mother like daughter says
Oh my goodness, adding roasted corn to this pesto spaghetti is such a great idea. This looks perfect for summer!
Sarah says
Thanks Aimee! It’s total summer fare!! 🙂
annie says
Obsession with pesto is totally normal. Especially when it’s got so many healthy goodies in here. Spinach and avocado along with all the traditional goodies. I adore grilling corn, but last summer all I did with it was eat it in salad. I can’t want to try it in this still-green-but-heartier form.
Sarah says
That’s exactly my thoughts on pesto too! Totally normal. 😉 You’ve gotta try this one, Annie!! 🙂
Denise @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Oh my gosh you KNOW I love a good avocado recipe, and avocado pesto is definitely up there on my list of weaknesses! Your pesto looks SO creamy and delish! Bet it’s amazing with the grilled corn.
Sarah says
Ahhh yess!! Avocado just rocks. Period. 😀 Thanks Denise!!
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
I bought way too many avocados for our Memorial Day weekend guacamole – and now I know what to do with them! Love this. 🙂
Sarah says
That sounds like destiny to me!! Let me know how you like this spaghetti, Kate!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Allergy Friendly Eats says
This looks like a wonderful summer dinner! YUM!
Sarah says
It’s totally the best kinda summer dinner! Thanks Kelly. 🙂
Amanda says
What a lovely green! I’ve thought of making avocado pesto before, but I’m totally on board with it!! So good! And with the corn it looks like the perfect summer dish.
Sarah says
Thanks Amanda! The avocado pesto is seriously SO good. You must try it. 🙂
Ashley says
haha I’ve been having a serious moment with pesto lately … as well as fresh corn (which is finally back by us!). I think this pasta and I were meant to be!
Sarah says
Yessss! I so hear you on having a “moment” with pesto. Mine has definitely been more than a moment though. Haha! Thanks Ashley!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
Sarah, you are so clever! This avo pasta looks spectacular! Love the addition of grilled corn too. Magic!
Sarah says
Thanks Jessica! Grilled corn is the BEST!
Danielle says
Grilled corn is seriously the best! This pasta is like the ultimate spring dish, Sarah! I love the pesto in it too!
Sarah says
Oh gosh, yes!! Grilled corn is my favorite!