Creamy Avocado Pasta: A High-Calorie Meal

Start to Finish: 20 minutes

Servings: 2

Rett syndrome care guidelines point to calorie-dense foods like avocado as one way to help meet energy needs. This dish includes avocado and olive oil for a smooth, rich sauce that turns a simple bowl of pasta into a full meal.

Because chewing and swallowing can be affected by Rett syndrome, the sauce can be blended smooth and tossed with very soft-cooked pasta. Consult a specialist, like a dietitian or a speech-language pathologist, to find the best food texture for your needs.

Ingredients

• 6 ounces (170 grams) whole-grain fusilli or penne pasta
• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small garlic clove
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 2 to 3 tablespoons reserved pasta water
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta in salted water until very soft, a minute or two past the package directions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
2. In a blender or food processor, combine the avocado, olive oil, parmesan, garlic, and lemon juice.
3. Blend until completely smooth, adding the reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce is silky and pourable.
4. Toss the warm pasta with the avocado sauce until fully coated, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Nutritional information (per serving): Calories: 580 | Protein: 17 grams | Carbohydrates: 68 grams | Fiber: 8 grams | Fat: 29 grams | Sodium: 225 milligrams

Suitable for: High-calorie diet, Rett syndrome-friendly diet, vegetarian diet

References

1. Rett Syndrome: Comprehensive Care Guidelines — International Rett Syndrome Foundation

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