creamy avocado pasta with shrimp
I’m writing this post from one place and wishing I was in another.
I’m not talking about where I actually am — at a coffee shop with a tea latte and my husband — no, because that’s pretty great. I’m not talking about wishing I was in warm, sunny Hawaii when instead I am in cold, snowy Minnesota — though I obviously wouldn’t complain if I was on a beach right now. I’m talking about this problem I have with life, sometimes — this problem where I wish things were different than they are, better than they are, even when they’re just fine.
Do you know what I mean by this? I’m a big perfectionist. I’m also a control freak and a worry wart. So basically, my personality can be the trifecta of stress and dissatisfaction. While there are the times I can chill and go with the flow, there are also the times when ALL THE THINGS are going wrong and I can’t seem to get them to where I want them to be, no matter how I try.
I am in an apartment when I want to be in a house.
I have my husband and my cat when I want my husband and my cat and a baby.
I have a job as a writer when I want a more successful job as a writer.
I am a Christian, a friend, a daughter, a sister and a wife when I want to be a better Christian, friend, daughter, sister and wife.
I know this usually isn’t the kind of stuff we talk about here, and it’s because I don’t usually like to talk about it. I don’t like to talk about how my life isn’t always cocoa-roasted almonds and Valentine’s cookies and savory scone bliss. But it’s the truth. It’s real talk. It’s just as real as this pasta is delicious and comforting.
And yet.
And yet, this batch of pasta didn’t turn out quite how I wanted. It didn’t look very pretty to me. It didn’t have that aura of natural food beauty that makes photographing it so effortless. It wasn’t… well, perfect.
And yet.
And yet, it tasted delicious. It was creamy and flavorful, with notes of both avocado and lemon shining through amidst bites of savory sauteed shrimp. It was refreshing and comforting, and in the end, when our plates were empty but our tummies were full, utterly satisfying.
Maybe not what I wanted, but certainly what I needed — just where I was.
Creamy Avocado Pasta with Shrimp
Adapted from Bake Noir
Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients:
1 (13.25 ounce) box uncooked spaghetti
1 tablespoon olive oil
12 ounces peeled, deveined, tail-on shrimp
2 avocados, peeled and seed removed
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
salt and pepper to taste
3 to 4 tablespoons pasta cooking water
fresh grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain pasta, reserving some of the pasta water. Set aside.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and saute until pink, opaque and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
To the bowl of a food processor add avocado, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, garlic, basil and salt and pepper to taste. Process mixture until creamy and smooth; adjust seasonings to taste.
Toss cooked pasta with avocado mixture, adding a little pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce/pasta. Add shrimp and toss lightly to combine. Serve with fresh grated Parmesan cheese and lemon wedges, if desired.
Actually, I was going to say that when I read the title (before I saw the photos) I thought the pasta was going to look like pasta sitting in guacamole. This looks so much more appetizing than that! Not sure what you had wanted, but these photos do the trick! I think it looks delicious.
I love your real ness. Great post!
I was just thinking that all of these photos are some of the prettiest ones I’ve seen on here – and your shots are ALWAYS stunning, so that’s a really good thing! I understand what you mean though, and I struggle with it too. Remember who you are in Christ girl – the rest is all just a big bonus 🙂
Gorgeous photos! And remember, you’re not alone! I think everyone goes through the “I wish I had this” phase. It’s perfectly normal! Just believe in yourself and everything will work out. Promise!
Meghan — Ha! That would not be very appetizing. 🙂 Thank you for your sweet comment!
Ah, I totally know what you mean. We all do it though…wish our lives were something that they’re not. But as long as it’s not all the time, I think there’s really nothing wrong with it. Its just human nature.
As for this pasta…I LOVE the photos! Avocado sauce is just hard to photograph, but you’ve worked it, girl!
Heather — Thank you so much, dear. I know I’m not alone in this, but it’s a good reminder sometimes to know who I really am and what this life means. So thank you for that. 🙂
Lauren — Thank you so much! I think we all need that pep talk sometimes 🙂
Joanne — I so agree. Trying to take the bad with the good is tough sometimes, but it’s life. And thank you for the sweet comments on my photos! It means a lot. 🙂
Gorgeous photos! And that pasta? I now know what I want for lunch!
I live in MN also and winters are loooonnnngggg and dreary. I splurge on skincare and make-up! Hang in there, spring is only 30 days away! P.S. I think your pictures look great!
You had me at creamy and then won me over again at avocado 🙂
Robyn — Thank ya, lady! 🙂
Val — Ooo, good idea on those splurges! Anything to get through these long winter days. 🙂
Claire — Ha! This recipe really is a double win with that. 🙂
Going through the tough stuff is what makes the good stuff so over the top good. And the ups and downs are what help to balance the scales. And after many years of marriage I have learned that I will never change my husband, but I can change my attitude. And this pasta dish will certainly help…
That sauce sounds phenomenal!!!
I would say we can trade living situtations– I bought a house, when I really still wish I was in an apartment. But I have THREE kitties and I dont think they’d like apartment life.
Abbe — So much truth, right there. Thank you 🙂
Kelly — Thank you! And oooh yes, I have a kitty too and I think he’d be pretty upset about moving from house to apartment — fewer places to jump on top of and hide in, ha. Good thing he doesn’t know any better yet 🙂
Lovely post, I love some real-talk. It’s the curse of the perfectionist to fail to live in the moment, isn’t it? I’m guilty of it myself. Not so much grass-is-always-greener, more a perpetual urge to perfect. Which, when gained, this perfectionism reasserts itself with NEW goals and challenges. It’s an ongoing battle.
The pasta, however, doesn’t seem like much of a battleground. Looks pretty perfect to me, and healthy (even if – shock – I’m not an avocado fan!), and I’m glad it fulfilled its nourishing intentions (even if more spiritually than nutritionally?).
What a wonderful post. I have moments like that too. I must say, though, that I think this pasta actually looks delicious, even if not what you had in mind! I’m sure I would be ultra satisfied with that in my belly too.
Love the real talk my dear! Minnesota has been brutal lately – I hate that on days like today I think it’s warm because it’s above 20! Trip to Cali for two please? PS – we really should get together sometime!
Rebecca — Oh yes. You’ve hit it right on the mark. Perfectionism can be maddening, ugh!
But at least we have pasta, right? 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
Natasha — Thank you for your kind words! 🙂
Mackenzie — Ha, I was thinking the same thing about the weather today! “It’s a balmy 20 degrees!” So sad. And YES, we should definitely meet soon 🙂
We are two peas in a pod, I feel the same way… total perfectionist here! But this pasta looks fabulous, the creamy avocado sauce is pure gorgeousness and that plate of shrimp, light and pretty! We are our worst critics… which means we always strive for perfection… but what is that exactly I have no idea! HA! But I think your photos are quite lovely 🙂
Laurie — Ha, so true! We perfectionists are always working toward an end goal that we don’t even know. 🙂 Thank you so much for your sweet comment!
yummy yummy yum! Gorgeous pictures, lady! And I love this recipe : )
Dana — Thank you so much!
Thank you Stephanie. You are not alone. You ate fabulously. Winter will eventually end. In more ways than one. I always cling to that.
I meant you ARE fabulous. 🙂 Darn autocorrect. 🙂
Hi Stephanie, I think we may have been separated at birth! I, too am a perfectionist, control freak and worry wart. I can *sometimes* go with the flow, but more often, I am the one “in the driver’s seat” doing all the thinking, planning, and worrying. It’s exhausting and I can relate to you in so many ways. I have learned to accept that this is simply a part of my personality and I have also come to figure out why I have turned out this way {enlightening but also a bit sad}. The bright spot is knowing that I have the power to work on my “Type A-ness” and slowly make changes to become a little more laid back. It turns out that blogging, writing and photography have been the creative outlets that are helping me be OK with imperfection and mishaps. I then try to apply the lesson of “going with the flow” to other areas of my life. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but I try hard to be mindful, learn from my mistakes and move forward. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I think so many of us who are struggling with certain challenges in life feel isolated until someone speaks up and shares their story. Bravissima! 🙂
Forgot to mention that this recipe looks fantastic! What a delicious use for avocado. It pairs so beautifully with shrimp and I love how you incorporated it into a pasta dish.
Jess — Thank you so much, dear! I am looking forward to the end of so many winters. 🙂 And LOL, love the autocorrect! 😉
Flavia — Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and insightful words, friend. As much as I don’t wish the trials of my perfectionism on anyone, I am glad to know I am not alone and that I am understood. 🙂
I adore avocado pasta, I nearly live on it during the summer. This sounds fabulous with shrimp too!
ALL THE THINGS, huh? That happens. Usually when it happens to me, I end up coming home from work covered in assorted smears that the puppies like to lick. And I need to shampoo my hair twice. AND there are no good houses to stalk on Redfin. Thankfully, ALL THE THINGS don’t usually last till the next day.
But, sometimes, a girl just needs to vent. Maybe have a piece of chocolate?
We really should have made a meeting-each-other-in-real-life-friendship happen when you lived here in Iowa City! Replace the word “cat” with the word “dog” and the word “writer” with the word “teacher” and I could have written this post myself. Except for the rad recipe, which was all you! 🙂
Cassie — Pretty sure I’ll be living on it this summer, too! 🙂
Kate — Ooh, shampooing my hair twice. Definitely happened. 🙂 And YES to the chocolate. Maybe two pieces. 🙂
Kelsey — We really did miss the boat on that one, didn’t we? Well if you ever visit the Twin Cities, come to my place and we can talk about our similar life happenings. And I’ll make you this pasta. 🙂
I can be a bit of a perfectionist too and it usually makes me hold back more than I should. I also need to just learn to let it go! These dreary Minnesota winter days certainly don’t help the attitude either 🙂 I’m glad this pasta put things in perspective for ya….it looks absolutely divine!
Taylor — Ugh, letting it go… SO tough, isn’t it? Looking forward to this winter being over, that’s for sure 🙂
Oh, I love the idea of using the avocado as part of the sauce. Delish!!
sometimes when things are exactly how you want them to be that is when it’s perfect. I love the sound of this pasta!
I think my pasta dish would be friends with your pasta dish, no?
Thanks for stopping by “my place” today. Oh, and I completely relate to your personal stuff in this post. Changing my inner dialogue and being grateful for my current situation (even though it’s not “perfect”) is one of the hardest things for me.
Whitney — Life-changing, truly. 🙂
a farmer in the dell — So. True. Thanks for the comment, lady! 🙂
Heather — It is so tough, isn’t it? Some days I’m better at it than others, obviously.
And um, YES. Our pasta dishes would be best friends. 🙂
Love this post, Stephanie! Thanks for being real because we all go through this. And your pasta looks just delish to me! 🙂
Laura — Thank you so much! Not that I wish rough patches for anybody, but I’m glad to know I’m not alone. 🙂
I think that it is human nature to never be satisfied where we are. And maybe that’s what helps us to keep growing and learning?? I’m not sure of all of the answers, but I do know that I would enjoy a big bowl of this!!
Wanting to spend time on a warm beach with a light breeze and a fruity cocktail….sigh…you and me both, sister! I’ve never been to Minnesota, but I hear it gets cooooooooooooold in the winter! Your pasta looks like the ticket to a comforting meal to warm the belly and soul. So healthful and tasty. I LOVE the shrimp and avocado combo and I bet the avocado adds the perfect creaminess to the dish. Stay warm! 🙂
Deborah — I think you’re right — it’s definitely a kind of growing pains! Thanks for the comment 🙂
Julia — Thank you! So… two tickets to Hawaii? 😉
Ha, my friends and I just made Bake Noir’s avocado spaghetti on Sunday night and it was SO yum. So smart of you to think of putting shrimp in–wish we’d done that! Guess this means we’ll have to make it again, Girl vs. Dough style 🙂
Erika — No way! Great minds. 😉
Personally, I thought these photos were top notch! I especially love the one of the avocado sauce in the food processor. So fresh and energetic! I feel where you are coming from as a perfectionist myself. I am only in high school, but take my school work, baking, and even social things very seriously.
Erica — Thank you! And oh yes, I remember my high school days being the same way. Even though not every day will be sunshine and roses, it does get easier as you get older. So hang in there! 🙂
Such gorgeous photos! I know my husband will LOVE this! I’m allergic to Shrimp…but I still like to make it for him occasionally. 🙂
Jessica — Thank you, dear! I hope your hubs likes it… though it is just as tasty without shrimp, methinks! 🙂
I completely understood where you were coming from in this post; I have those feelings, too! But you’re amazing, and good things will follow! Plus, you make awesome pasta like this – winner!!!
Ashley — Thank you so much! We perfectionist gals need to stick together. 🙂
I love how this post ended. How you were looking for perfection and discovered something wonderful even in its imperfection. Though truthfully, it actually still looks delicious to me. 😉 But I get where you are coming from.
Rach — Thank you! Such a sweet thing to say 🙂
If life wasn’t tough sometimes we wouldn’t quite appreciate all the good things that happen.. I have found it is best to fight for the things worth fighting for but to learn to let the smaller things go and enjoy what I have! I think your pasta looks amazing and the pictures are fabulous! Have a fabulously blessed week!
Serena — I think you’re absolutely right. 🙂 It’s definitely the journey that counts. Thanks so much for the comment!
I LOVE creamy avocado pasta but adding shrimp is an awesome idea! Next time I whip it up I think I’ll do the same… Thanks for sharing!
Georgia — DO IT. 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
This is beyond fantastic!! I’ve tried avocado pasta before – but I need to try it again at home!!
Megan — Thank you! Avocado pasta is semi-new to me but I’m so glad my mouth discovered it! 🙂
I love the avo instead of cream!!! I have pinned this as a must make 🙂
Hang in there lovely – you dnt give yourself enough credit. It looks perfect to me
Nic — Aw, thank you so much. I’ll keep on truckin’ 🙂
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This looks amazing, I can’t wait to try! Two of my favorites, avocado and shrimp, yum!
Looks delicious! How many calories and what is serving size? Lol . I have to have boundaries set!
Antoinette — Oh goodness, I’m not sure… maybe plug the ingredients into something like My Fitness Pal and it could tell you? Serving size is 4 to 6 servings. Sorry I can’t be more helpful!
Hi Stephanie, I came across this post looking for “Shrimp Avocado Pasta” (I will try and make it for dinner tonight) – and your comments kind of touched me. Life can always be better. The tricky thing is to be happy about how you are and what you have. Keeping my fingers crossed for the baby; we’ve been there, too.
Tamara — Thank you so much for your sweet, kind and wise words. 🙂 Definitely keeping them in mind. And I hope you love the pasta!