Linguini, Smoky Avocado Sauce, Black Beans, Lime

avocado pasta

Linguini, Grilled Avocado Sauce with Lime & Cilantro
Topped with Black Beans, Red Onion & Serrano

Been seeing the avocado puréed, and used as a sauce or dressing a lot lately? I sure have. With pasta, as a substitute for mayonnaise in tuna salad, as a substitute for hollandaise with fresh fish or vegetables. Great heart-healthy ideas all!

Here, I take flavors that pair well with avocado such as lime, green chile, red onion, cilantro, black beans…and re-mix them into a refreshing green pasta dish. And by adding one more layer of flavor – smoke – the silky sauce takes on another dimension. Lime juice keeps it bright, and serrano kicks up the heat. It’s a healthy pasta fiesta!

Linguini with Grilled Avocado Sauce Recipe

grilled avocado
Cut an avocado in half and brush with olive oil.
Grill flesh side down until the fruit is nicely charred.

grilled avocado
Scoop out the flesh and put it in a food processor.

avocado sauce
Add a handful of cilantro, the juice from one lime,
1/4 t. salt & 1/8 t. cayenne (or to taste), and one garlic clove.
Process to make a purée.
Then stream in 1/4 c. fruity olive oil to make a sauce consistency.
Taste for balance. Add more lime juice or salt if necessary.
Add avocado sauce to al dente whole-grain linguini and toss to coat.

pasta avocado sauce cilantro

Add cilantro leaves and lime zest. Now this pasta is terrific as is.
But add the spicy beans for more flavor, color, texture and fiber.

avocado+black+ bean+pasta

Mix black beans with finely diced red onion and serrano chile.
Add a drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of lime juice, chopped cilantro and salt to taste.
Stir gently and let sit to meld the flavors.

Spoon beans over the pasta.
Alternatively, the beans can be tossed with the pasta,
but they look prettier when not coated with avocado sauce. (I tried it).

Welcoming Spring…

blue+rose
New rose buds are just starting to bloom.
The first in my garden was the pale pink floribunda rose called “First Kiss.”
I put the bud into water colored with blue food coloring and this was the result.
Hello Spring!

And for Bean Lovers…

pasta avocado sauce black beans

Bean Aficionados have been enjoying inspiration from MLLA for years now. Susan, The Well-Seasoned Cook, introduced My Legume Love Affair back in 2008. It was my pleasure to host the 11th helping of MLLA all the way back in May of 2009. Congratulations to Susan for creating such a popular long-lived event!  The 45th edition is hosted by Heather of Girlichef blog. Bean lovers can submit a legume-centric dish to Heather’s round-up through March 31st. I’m very happy to add Linguini with Smoky Avocado Sauce and Black Beans to this month’s event.

47 thoughts on “Linguini, Smoky Avocado Sauce, Black Beans, Lime”

  1. Oh my goodness…that is BEAUTIFUL! What a fantastic combination, as well. The avocado sauce alone has my tummy growlin’, but add black beans and lime…and pasta – sigh… Delicious. Thank you for sharing it with MLLA this month!

  2. This is a first for me – seeing avocado used in pasta, and I love the idea, especially with the beans and lime. So healthy and that’s a plus in addition to the powerful flavor punch. That flower – wow, I never imagined the color would transfer to a rose. must try.

  3. I haven’t seen this yet – although yes – I do see it as a substitute for mayo. Thinking the silky sauce will enter my home when I introduce pasta back into my life. (In 3 weeks – but who’s counting?)

  4. Grilled avocado is such a brilliant idea! I love all the flavors you have going on here, and your pictures are gorgeous! Congrats on Top 9!

  5. Hi There, Congratulations for being on top 9 !!!!!!
    The linguini is looking so delightful and appetizing. A very well made post with beautiful pictures.Loved the smoked avocado flavor. I’ve bookmarked this special recipe of urs and wud love to give it a shot asap. Have a wonderful week ahead. Thanks & Regards, Sonia !!!

  6. This sounds delicious! I love pasta with avocado sauces, having tried a couple of recipes with this element. But this one sounds amazing with the smoked/grilled avocado (very creative!) and the black beans and lime. Can’t wait to try!

  7. Can this recipe be done using an oven, or with non-grilled avocados? (For those of us who live in apartments…)

  8. This recipe is pure genius! I love that you grilled the avocado and then pureed it for a sauce. This looks like it might be my new favorite pasta dish. Delicious! Congrats on the Top 9 spot, this dish is absolutely worthy of the spot!

  9. The grilled avocado is a very nice idea and I will certainly try. I am totally in favor of using avocado as a substitute for a number of other ingredients. Both texture and flavor are so satisfying, you don’t want much else to go with it. Your garden certainly is a place of beauty. The rose is lovely and so is the photo.

  10. When food is on your blog, even just grilled avocado becomes so beautiful and fancy! =D I need to try avocado sauce. I’ve seen similar recipes before but haven’t tried anything yet. I always adore your photos of food – just focus on food without props and destruction. Simple beauty!

  11. I would have never thought to grill an avocado in a million years, but now that I see it, I like the idea…. will give it a try!

  12. i love your website and recipe this looks great here in az where it so hot this will cool me down as a side this to my bbq main dish

    i love to cook mexican with avocado this looks like a deilicious new way to use avocado thank you

    alan

  13. Wow! Awesome! Love the idea of the framed fresh flowers! Also I have been seeing the avocado used as pasta sauce everywhere too. It just doesn’t sound appetiZing to me but with someone like you testing it out well, let’s just say I trust your opinion!

  14. I had no idea I could grill an avocado but now I want to try. And if it results in this gorgeous meal all the better. This is simply stunning.

  15. This looks absolutely gorgeous and so full of flavour. I’ve never tried grilling an avocado before but I’m definitely going to try it when summer comes!

  16. Hi there! I was searching healthy food on Pinterest and came to your blog. I LOVE it and love this recipe so much I linked back to you on my blog!! I hope you stop by and check it out. I’m definitely going to follow you!
    Have an awesome weekend!
    xo
    Sharon

    1. Thanks Sharon! Your blog is really neat. I am in the midst of home remodel, so I really appreciate your decor posts. Thanks for the link!! So glad you like the recipe…
      LL

  17. Hi again,
    I was just leaving your blog when I spotted this recipe, it’s glorious, all the ingredients we love. I’ve printed it out and will be surprising my husband with tonight.
    Will I ever be able to leave this blog, there’s so much here? Your photography compliments the food so well.
    See you again soon,
    Lesley

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