Gluten-free chickpea pasta with avocado pesto

Gluten-free chickpea pasta with avocado pesto: a creamy recipe with basil, cherry tomatoes, lemon, garlic and olive oil for a quick, filling meal.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 5 min
• Cooking time: 10 min
• Total time: 15 min
• Calories: 510 kcal per serving
• Protein: 24 g
• Fat: 26 g
• Carbs: 45 g

Ingredients

• 200g gluten-free chickpea pasta
• 150g cherry tomatoes
• 1 avocado
• 1 garlic clove
• Juice of 1/2 unwaxed lemon
• 2 tbsp pine nuts
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & pepper
• 1 bunch of fresh basil

Method

You’ll need: frying pan · saucepan · blender · chopping board · knife · sieve

1. Cook the chickpea pasta in salted water according to the packet instructions. Make sure it stays al dente.
2. Meanwhile, put the avocado, basil, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper in a blender. Blend into a creamy pesto and loosen it with a little pasta water if needed.
3. Toast the pine nuts in a dry frying pan until lightly golden and fragrant. Wash and halve the cherry tomatoes.
4. Drain the cooked pasta, saving a little of the pasta water. Toss the pasta with the avocado pesto until it is evenly coated.
5. Fold in the cherry tomatoes and toasted pine nuts. Season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice.
6. Divide between bowls and serve with fresh basil. Best eaten straight away, while the pesto is still bright green and creamy.

Good to know

When you need something fast, this dish is a quiet favourite. Creamy, fresh and pleasantly filling without feeling heavy. A plate like this takes little effort and still feels like a proper meal.

Swaps

Pine nuts → walnuts (more omega-3 fatty acids) | Chickpea pasta → lentil pasta (similar protein and fibre content) | Basil → parsley (more vitamin K) | Olive oil → avocado oil (milder flavour, a similarly high share of monounsaturated fats)

Allergens

Counts as containing nuts if pine nuts are a problem for you; for children, season mildly and go easy on the garlic; during pregnancy, use fresh, well-washed herbs and a ripe, undamaged avocado.

Frequently asked questions

What's in chickpea pasta nutritionally?

It usually provides more fibre and plant protein than many classic rice-based gluten-free pastas. It also contains minerals such as magnesium, iron and manganese, which vary a little from product to product.

Which nutrients does avocado bring to this recipe?

Avocado mainly contains monounsaturated fats as well as folate, potassium and vitamin E. The creamy texture comes about without any cream at all.

Does everyone tolerate garlic well?

Not everyone. Garlic contains fructans, which can cause bloating or a feeling of pressure in sensitive people, for example with IBS or FODMAP sensitivity.

What do basil and lemon add besides flavour?

Basil contains small amounts of vitamin K and various essential oils, and lemon adds vitamin C and organic acids. In the finished dish, the amounts are more of a bonus than a major source.

Are pine nuts just a topping, or do they add nutrients too?

They provide unsaturated fats as well as magnesium and vitamin E. They are also known for a rare taste change called 'pine mouth', which can follow eating certain types of pine nut.

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