Avocado Mac and Cheese Recipe

The rich, buttery taste of avocado combined with the subtle zest of pepper jack cheese and creamy pasta form a terrific avocado macaroni and cheese recipe. Perfect for lunch or dinner, if you like avocado, you will love this delicious avocado mac and cheese recipe.

Avocado Mac and Cheese Recipe

Hubby and I traveled to New Zealand earlier this year, and got to visit an avocado farm!

The avocado trees had to have been 40′ tall and loaded. Avocado growing is a big industry in New Zealand and growing larger every day (no pun intended).

After seeing them growing, I decided to add to my avocado recipe collection, and next thing you know, avocado mac and cheese for lunch or dinner and Creamy Avocado Breakfast Toasties Recipe for er, breakfast.

Tips for Making this Avocado Mac and Cheese Recipe:

● Any small and curvy pasta is good for this recipe – Elbows, Cavatappi/ Cellentani/ Spirali, Rotini/ Fusilli, Shell/ Conchiglie/ Orecchiette are all good option that can trap the creamy sauce within its curves and bends.

● The lime juice is to prevent the avocado sauce from turning brown. It also gives a fresh flavor and cuts the richness of the cheese sauce; however, it should not make the dish tangy. Depending on the size and juiciness of the lime, you might use anywhere from ½ to up to one whole lime for this recipe.

● The cilantro gives an herby freshness to the dish. If not a fan of cilantro, you can use parsley or leave it out altogether.

● The garnishes are optional, although I highly recommend the bacon!

● This recipe does not reheat well. Cooked avocados are the worst! So if you are sure that your family or friends will not finish the avocado mac& cheese all at once, cut the recipe in half. Or, make the entire recipe and toss just half of it together and store the remaining components separately in the fridge.

Avocado Mac and Cheese Recipe Ingredients:

● 4 quarts Water
● 2 TBSP Salt
● 1 lb Macaroni Pasta

Ingredients For the Avocado Sauce:

● 2 ripe Avocados, pitted
● 2 tsp fresh Lime Juice
● ½ tsp Salt
● ¼ cup loosely packed Cilantro

Ingredients For the Cheese Sauce:

● 4 TBSP Unsalted Butter
● 4 TBSP All-Purpose Flour
● 1½ cups Milk
● ½ tsp Salt
● ½ tsp Pepper
● 2 cups Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese

Ingredients Garnish

● ¼ cup of Crispy Bacon Bits
● 1 firm Avocado, sliced or chopped
● Chopped Cilantro

Avocado Mac and Cheese Mise en Place:

● Pot
● Collender Strainer
● Mini Food Processor
● Avocado Pitter/Slicer
● Spoon
● Measuring Cup
● Measuring Spoons
● Bowl
● Whisk
● Saucepan

Avocado Mac and Cheese Recipe Instructions

1. In a large stockpot, bring approximately four quarts water with two tablespoons of salt added to a boil.
2. Add the pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Drain and set aside.

For the Avocado Sauce
4. While the water for the pasta heats up, combine two ripe avocado, lime juice, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ cup loosely packed cilantro in a mini food processor.
5. Blend together until it forms a smooth and creamy sauce.
6. Cover and keep aside.

For the Cheese Sauce
6. While the pasta cooks, in a saucepan, melt unsalted butter.

7. Add the flour, cook and whisk to a paste for 1 to 2 minutes on low heat.

8. Whisk in the milk until the flour paste dissolves and is lump-free.
9. Add ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper; cook on medium-low until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

10. Add in the shredded pepper jack cheese and mix until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.

Assembling
11. If you used your time wisely, by the time the pasta is drained, you should have both the avocado sauce and the cheese sauce ready to go.
12. In a large bowl, add the drained pasta. It should be still hot/warm.

13. Add the cheese sauce, followed by the avocado sauce.

14. Toss the pasta with the sauces until the pasta is well coated and creamy.
14. Taste and add more salt if needed.

15. Add any or all garnishes – bacon bits, chopped avocados, chopped cilantro and mix well.
16. Serve warm.

Yield: 8 servings

Avocado Mac and Cheese Recipe

Print

Avocado Mac and Cheese Recipe. The rich, buttery taste of avocado combined with the subtle zest of pepper jack cheese and creamy pasta form a terrific avocado macaroni and cheese recipe. Perfect for lunch or dinner, if you like avocado, you will love this delicious avocado mac and cheese recipe.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 5 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 quarts Water
• 2 TBSP Salt
• 1 lb Macaroni Pasta
• 2 ripe Avocados, pitted
• 2 tsp fresh Lime Juice
• ½ tsp Salt
• ¼ cup loosely packed Cilantro
• 4 TBSP Unsalted Butter
• 4 TBSP All-Purpose Flour
• 1½ cups Milk
• ½ tsp Salt
• ½ tsp Pepper
• 2 cups Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
• ¼ cup of Crispy Bacon Bits
• 1 firm Avocado, sliced or chopped
• Chopped Cilantro

Instructions

1. In a large stockpot bring approximately four quarts of water with two tablespoons of salt added to a boil.
2. Add the pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Drain and set aside.
4. For the Avocado Sauce
5. While the water for the pasta heats up, combine two ripe avocados, lime juice, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ cup loosely packed cilantro in a mini food processor.
6. Blend together until it forms a smooth and creamy sauce.
7. Cover and keep aside.
8. For the Cheese Sauce
9. While the pasta cooks, in a saucepan, melt unsalted butter.
10. Add the flour, cook and whisk to a paste for 1 to 2 minutes on low heat.
11. Whisk in the milk until the flour paste dissolves and is lump-free.
12. Add ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper; cook on medium-low until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
13. Add in the shredded pepper jack cheese and mix until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.
14. Assembling
15. If you used your time wisely, by the time the pasta is drained, you should have both the avocado sauce and the cheese sauce ready to go.
16. In a large bowl add the drained pasta. It should be still hot/warm.
17. Add the cheese sauce followed by the avocado sauce.
18. Toss the pasta with the sauces until the pasta is well coated and creamy.
19. Taste and add more salt if needed.
20. Add any or all garnishes – bacon bits, chopped avocados, chopped cilantro and mix well.
21. Serve warm.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Mixing Bowls with Airtight Lids, Blingco Stainless Steel Metal Nesting Bowls Set of 5, Size 5, 3, 2, 1.5, 0.63 QT, 3 Grater Attachments, Measurement Marks & Colorful Non-Slip Bottoms
• 
  Dotala 3 in 1 Avocado Slicer Tool Works as a Splitter, Pitter and Cutter as knife peeler scoop with Comfort-Grip Handle (Green-Slicer)
• 
  Nordic Ware 69518 Covered Bowl Set, 8-pc, Set of 8, Coastal Colors

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 431Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 2331mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 7gSugar: 1gProtein: 16g

Note: for exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information provided is simply a guideline.

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