Creamy Avocado Pasta

One of my favorite quick dinner meals is Creamy Avocado Pasta.  I've made this dish a handful of times but this time I adapted it with some of my favorite Trader Joe's products.

How awesome is Trader Joe's for help in the quick-fix dinner meals?  I love that place! My secret ingredients of choice:

I thought Lemon Pepper Pappardelle Pasta would pair nicely with a creamy avocado sauce.  And Mango Chicken Sausage would add sweetness to this already fresh dish.  Edamame Hummus brightened up the avocado sauce and added another delicious flavor element.  This dish came together just as fast as it takes to cook the pasta.  And its a meal you don't have to feel guilty about!

If you didn't know this already, I love to cook and I hate to bake.  The reason?  I don't measure.  I have a really good idea of what a tablespoon is or what a half cup is.  I don't need to measure anything.  This is one of those recipes that is absolutely crucial to taste as you go.  Blend the sauce up and add more as you see fit.  Start with 1 Avocado and 1 Lemon Juiced and go from there.  Salt and Pepper at the very end.  Trust your instincts because this a dish you really can't mess up!

Creamy Avocado Pasta with Mango Chicken Sausage

Inspired by Cate's World Kitchen and Oh She Glows

Ingredients:

2 medium Avocado, very ripe

2 small lemons + lemon zest

1 teaspoon of pre-minced garlic

3 spoonfulls of edamame hummus

a handful or two of parmesan cheese

a little pasta water

a little olive oil

1 package of Lemon Pepper Pappadale Pasta or pasta of choice

2 Mango Sausage Links, cut in half and sliced and cooked over medium heat

1/2 cup of basil for garnish

salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Cook pasta according to package directions.  While your pasta is cooking, add ripe avocado, lemon juice, garlic, hummus and cheese into the food processor.  With the motor running, add a little olive oil. Taste and decide if you want more avocado flavor (I did).  If so, add another avocado and more lemon juice.  If sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water to make the sauce silkier.  Cook the sausage links until browned.  Once pasta is cooked, mix the sausage and sauce together in a giant bowl so the sauce covers all the pasta.  Add some basil and more parmesan on top and enjoy!

Upon tasting this dish, the first thing my husband said is "Wow this is awesome, it has a ton of flavor." Exactly what I wanted to hear : )

What's the most unique pasta sauce you've ever made?