Bright & Tangy Green Goddess Pasta Recipe to Energize Meals

Creamy, herbal, and bursting with fresh flavors, this green goddess pasta brings restaurant-quality magic right to your dinner table.

The classic green goddess dressing weaves its enchantment through tender pasta strands, creating a dish that’s both elegant and comforting.

Verdant herbs dance with tangy yogurt and bright citrus, promising a delightful culinary experience.

Packed with nutritious greens and simple ingredients, this recipe turns an ordinary weeknight meal into something extraordinary.

Each forkful delivers a harmonious blend of texture and taste that will leave you craving more.

Whip up this vibrant pasta and watch as your meal transforms into a celebration of fresh, zesty goodness.

How to Make This Lush Pasta Dish

• Boil Water and Prepare Pasta

Grab a big pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt and bring it to a rolling boil. Drop in your favorite pasta and cook until it’s perfectly tender. Before draining, save a small cup of the starchy cooking water – this liquid gold will help make everything silky smooth.

• Whip Up the Magical Green Sauce

Toss all your green ingredients into a blender: creamy avocado, fragrant herbs, leafy greens, zesty garlic, and a splash of bright lemon juice. Drizzle in some olive oil and blend until the mixture transforms into a luscious, vibrant sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. If it seems too thick, add a bit of water to reach your desired consistency.

• Create Creamy Pasta Perfection

Pour your emerald green sauce over the hot pasta. Use tongs or a big spoon to gently coat every single noodle with this gorgeous green goodness. If the sauce feels too clingy, splash in a bit of that reserved pasta water to help it glide smoothly. Give it a final toss, and you’re ready to serve up a plate of pure deliciousness.

Additions and Substitutes for Green Goddess Pasta

• Mix herbs right before blending to keep the bright, fresh flavor locked in.
• Swap parmesan for nutritional yeast to create a completely plant-based version that's just as creamy and delicious.
• Add grilled chicken, crispy tofu, or chickpeas to transform this into a more substantial meal that keeps you satisfied longer.
• For extra crunch, top the pasta with toasted pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, or crispy breadcrumbs just before serving to add a delightful contrast to the smooth sauce.
• Prepare the green goddess sauce up to 2 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to save time on busy weeknights.

Ways to Serve This Pasta in Style

• Fresh Garden Party Plating: Arrange pasta on a large white platter, garnish with extra fresh herbs like chives or microgreens for a vibrant, restaurant-style presentation that screams summer sophistication.
• Protein Power-Up: Top the pasta with grilled chicken strips, seared shrimp, or crispy tofu cubes to transform this into a complete meal that satisfies hearty appetites and adds delicious protein variety.
• Mediterranean Mezze Twist: Serve alongside roasted cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts to create a Mediterranean-inspired side that adds color, texture, and exciting flavor complexity.
• Wellness Bowl Transformation: Layer the pasta in a wide bowl with additional raw spinach leaves, sliced cucumber, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for a nutritious, light meal that feels both indulgent and health-conscious.

Storage Advice for Leftover Pasta

• Transfer leftover pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cold storage works best when the sauce is fresh and creamy.
• Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to restore sauce's smooth texture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and maintain the green goddess sauce's vibrant color and consistency.
• Make extra sauce and freeze in small portion-sized containers for quick future meals. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and mix with freshly cooked pasta for a speedy dinner solution.
• Keep herbs like basil and parsley wrapped in slightly damp paper towels inside a sealed container to extend their crisp quality. This method helps maintain their bright green color and prevents wilting for optimal sauce preparation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredient Rundown for Green Goddess Pasta

• Pasta: Choose a shape that catches sauce well like fusilli or penne for maximum flavor absorption.

• Avocado: Provides creamy texture and healthy fats, select ripe but firm avocados with no brown spots.
• Basil, Parsley, Spinach: Fresh herbs add vibrant green color and layers of herbal complexity, choose bright green leaves without wilting.
• Garlic: Offers sharp aromatic depth, select firm cloves without sprouting.
• Lemon Juice: Brings tangy brightness and helps prevent herb browning, choose fresh lemons with smooth skin.
• Olive Oil: Adds silky richness and helps blend ingredients smoothly, opt for extra virgin for best flavor.
• Water: Helps adjust sauce consistency and blend ingredients.

• Nutritional Yeast, Parmesan: Provides cheesy umami notes, choose high-quality versions for intense flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Elevates and balances overall taste, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum impact.

Tools to Prep Green Goddess Pasta Efficiently

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta with plenty of salted water.
• Blender or Food Processor: Crucial for creating smooth, creamy green goddess sauce by blending all ingredients.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta after cooking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Important for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Sharp Knife: Used for chopping herbs and preparing ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for ingredient preparation.

Vibrant Green Goddess Pasta Recipe

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Heavenly creamy green goddess pasta brings Italian and California cuisine together in one luxurious dish. Herb-packed sauce and perfectly cooked noodles combine for a fresh, elegant meal you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ripe avocado
• ½ cup (118 ml) fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup (59 ml) fresh parsley
• ¼ cup (59 ml) fresh spinach (optional)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• ¼ cup (59 ml) water (plus more as needed for thinning)
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) nutritional yeast or grated parmesan (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 12 ounces (340 g) pasta of choice (spaghetti, linguine, fusilli, or gluten-free)
• 1 cup (237 ml) steamed broccoli or peas (optional for extra greens)
• ¼ cup (59 ml) reserved pasta water (as needed)
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Extra herbs (optional)
• Parmesan (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Heat a generously salted water pot until vigorously boiling, submerge pasta and cook per package instructions. Extract and reserve 1/4 cup pasta liquid before draining, then set aside cooked pasta.
2. Sauce Creation: Combine avocado, basil, parsley, spinach, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, water, and nutritional yeast or parmesan in a blender. Pulse until achieving a silky, uniform texture. Modulate consistency by incrementally introducing water. Season with salt and pepper to enhance flavor profile.
3. Final Integration: Transfer pasta into original cooking vessel or expansive mixing bowl. Generously coat noodles with verdant green goddess sauce, utilizing reserved pasta liquid to facilitate smooth distribution and optimal sauce adherence. Ensure each pasta strand is thoroughly enveloped in the vibrant, herbaceous coating.

Notes

• Save the starchy pasta water as a secret weapon for achieving the perfect sauce consistency. A splash helps bind the green goddess sauce to the noodles, creating a silky, smooth coating.
• Process the sauce ingredients until completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender. Longer blending time ensures a creamy, uniform texture without any chunky herbs or garlic bits.
• Easily adapt the recipe for different diets by swapping ingredients. Use gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly version, or replace nutritional yeast with vegan parmesan for a dairy-free alternative.
• Serve the pasta immediately after tossing with sauce to maintain optimal temperature and prevent the avocado-based sauce from separating or becoming too thick.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg