Green Goddess Pasta Salad Recipe
A refreshing and creamy Green Goddess Pasta Salad featuring rotini pasta tossed with a vibrant herb-packed dressing, fresh vegetables, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a light lunch or a side dish at gatherings, this salad combines crisp cucumber, celery, green peas, and creamy avocado with a zesty, garlicky dressing for a delightful flavor and texture balance.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup celery, sliced
- 1/2 cup green peas
- 1/2 cup avocado, diced
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop cooking and cool it completely. Set aside.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a blender or mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, parsley, chives, basil, tarragon, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Blend or whisk until the dressing is smooth, creamy, and well incorporated.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, diced cucumber, sliced celery, green peas, and diced avocado. Pour the green goddess dressing over the ingredients.
- Toss the Salad: Gently toss all ingredients together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Add Cheese and Chill: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and toss lightly again. Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors and serve chilled for the best taste.
Notes
- This salad is best served chilled and can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- Use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream for a tangier dressing and added protein.
- Feel free to swap out the fresh herbs according to preference or availability.
- For a vegan version, substitute mayonnaise and sour cream with plant-based alternatives and omit Parmesan or use a vegan cheese substitute.
- Add toasted nuts or seeds for extra crunch if desired.
Keywords: Green Goddess Pasta Salad, rotini pasta salad, creamy herb dressing, summer salad, vegetarian pasta salad
Find it online: https://ellaeatsdaily.com/green-goddess-pasta-salad-recipe/
