Green goddess pasta (gluten & dairy-free options)

Bursting with flavor, this healthy Green Goddess Pasta salad is the ultimate combination of refreshing veggies and creamy, herby dressing! This pasta salad is perfect as a light lunch, meal prep, or a side dish for your next gathering! It’s secretly bursting with veggies and can be made gluten-free, dairy-free, and high protein!

Healthy Green Goddess Pasta Salad: fresh & flavorful!

Sauces are such a fun way to spice up meals and use up wilting veggies sitting in your fridge – I love a hidden veggie pasta sauce! If you have picky kids or toddlers, sneaking vegetables into pasta sauces is a great way to get veggies in their diets! Today we will be turning loads of fresh produce into a creamy, flavorful sauce that is just chef’s kiss!

If you’re looking for a delicious and nutritious meal that’s packed with flavor, this healthy pasta salad is a must-try! This dish combines fresh greens, wholesome pasta, and a bright, creamy homemade Green Goddess dressing that will leave you craving more. Plus, it’s an easy and quick recipe perfect for meal prep, summer picnics, side dish, or a light yet satisfying dinner! This recipe is all made with one pot and a blender – easy to make and easy to clean up!

Watch me meal prep green goddess pasta salad!

Why You’ll want this pasta salad on repeat

• Packed with Nutrients: Leafy greens, avocado, and herbs, offer tons of vitamins and minerals as well as protein, energizing carbs, and healthy fats to keep you fueled for hours!
• Dietary friendly: this pasta salad can be made to fit your dietary needs! It can be made dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, and even high protein! You can even make it low carb with low carb pasta.
• Ready in under 30 minutes: With just a few simple ingredients, you can have this dish ready in under 30 minutes (and most of that time is waiting for the pasta to boil!).
• Customizable: Serve it as a main dish, a side, or even add protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas. You can also use gluten-free or high-protein pasta like Banza. It can also be enjoyed hot or cold!
• Great for Meal Prep: Stays fresh in the fridge for up to three days!

How to make green goddess pasta salad

Full recipe is in the recipe card at the bottom of the post!

Ingredients for the pasta salad

• Pasta: Use whatever fits your dietary needs! I used a gluten-free brown rice & quinoa pasta from trader joes!
• Cherry tomatoes
• Red onion
• Avocado
• Optional additions: feta cheese, toasted pine nuts, cucumber (I also added some microgreens on top prior to eating).

Pasta salad with green goddess dressing

The green goddess dressing is PACKED with herbs, seasoning, and greens to not only nourish your body but to really bring tons of bright flavor to this pasta salad! The dressing is pretty customizable but here’s an overview of what you’ll need:

• Greens (spinach or arugula)
• Lemon juice
• Herbs: basil, cilantro (optional), parsley
• Seasonings: sea salt, nutritional yeast, pepper, red pepper (optional)
• Garlic
• Avocado
• Creamy base: Avocado oil mayonnaise, plain yogurt, sour cream, or cottage cheese, etc. or a mix!

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the Dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine all the dressing ingredients. Blend until smooth, adding water as needed to reach your desired consistency. Taste & adjust as needed.
3. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped veggies, and any other additions. Toss to combine everything together.
4. Toss with Dressing: Pour the Green Goddess dressing over the pasta salad and toss until well coated.
5. Top and Serve: Garnish with feta cheese and toasted pine nuts for extra flavor and texture. I like to use VioLife feta for a dairy-free option!
6. Enjoy! Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to three days for a quick and healthy meal!

Tips for the Best Green Goddess Pasta Salad

• Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh basil and parsley make a big difference in flavor!
• Make it Vegan: Use dairy-free swaps like vegan yogurt, cheese, etc! Add beans for extra protein!
• Boost the Protein: Add chickpeas, grilled chicken, or shrimp for extra protein! You can even add in hemp seeds for a protein, nutrient, and omega boost!
• Don’t overcook the pasta: this is especially important if using gluten-free pasta!

FAQ’s

• Can I eat this pasta salad warmed up? Yes! Feel free to heat this pasta salad prior to eating!
• Storage: I prefer this pasta salad within the first 1-3 days. Leftovers are great kept in an airtight container for up to three days!

More healthy meals to try

• Copycat Cava bowls with date balsamic dressing
• Green goddess soup
• Creamy anti-inflammatory soup with carrots and ginger
• Chili cornbread casserole
• Vegan broccoli cheese soup
• Healthy chicken broccoli rice casserole
• Healthy chicken pot pie soup
• Japanese carrot ginger salad dressing
• Viral TikTok egg breakfast sandwich
• One-pan enchilada breakfast skillet
• Breakfast egg stuffed peppers

Green Goddess Pasta

Bursting with flavor, this healthy Green Goddess Pasta salad is the ultimate combination of refreshing veggies and creamy, herby dressing! Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a meal prep option, or a side dish for your next gathering, this pasta salad is a crowd-pleaser! It's secretly bursting with veggies and can be made gluten-free, dairy-free, and high protein!

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course dinner, lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

• 1 16oz bag pasta of choice
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small red onion, diced small
• 1/2-3/4 english cucumber, diced small *optional!
• 12oz protein, of choice (i did diced grilled chicken), beans, shrimp, etc. all work!
• optional additions: feta cheese, toasted pine nuts, etc.

Green goddess pasta sauce

• 1 bag spinach or arugula
• 2-3 garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup packed fresh basil
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley
• 1/3-1/2 cup fresh cilantro (optional)
• 2 green onions
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast *could also sub parmesan cheese – haven't tried this but i'm sure it'd be delicious!
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 avocado
• 2/3 cup creamy base (avocado oil mayo, cottage cheese, plain greek yogurt, etc.) or a mix! Sometimes i'll do 1/3 cup mayo & 1/3 cup plain yogurt, etc. Use cottage cheese for a high protein option!
• 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper (more to taste)
• 1 tsp red pepper (optional)

Instructions

 

• Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking.
• Prepare the Dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine all the dressing ingredients. Blend until smooth, adding water as needed to reach your desired consistency. Taste & adjust as needed (more salt, red pepper, lemon, etc!).
• Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped veggies, and any other additions. Toss to combine everything together.
• Toss with Dressing: Pour the Green Goddess dressing over the pasta salad and toss until well coated.
• Top and Serve: Garnish with feta cheese and toasted pine nuts for extra flavor and texture. I like to use VioLife feta for a dairy-free option!
• Enjoy! Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to three days for a quick and healthy meal!

Video

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