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!
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!