Description
This 20 Minute Green Goddess Pasta Salad blends fresh herbs, leafy greens, creamy avocado, and tender pasta into a vibrant vegan dish perfect for an easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
For the Salad Base:
- 1 lb pasta (such as fusilli)
- Extra virgin olive oil, optional
- 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups cabbage, diced or shredded
- 3 Persian cucumbers, sliced
- 1 jalapeno, diced (optional)
For the Goddess Dressing:
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
- 3 green onions, white parts roughly chopped and green parts thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 large avocado
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
- Kosher salt, to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and return to the pot. Add a handful of ice cubes and a drizzle of olive oil, tossing to cool the pasta.
2. In a blender or food processor, combine basil, spinach, dill, the white parts of the green onions, nutritional yeast, garlic, avocado, white wine vinegar, water, lemon juice, lemon zest, and about 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. To the cooled pasta, add the chickpeas, cabbage, cucumbers, jalapeno if using, and the sliced green onion tops.
4. Pour the green goddess dressing over the pasta mixture and toss well to coat. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Serve immediately or chill before serving.
Notes
Generously salting the pasta water enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Use a perfectly ripe avocado with slight give to maintain a vibrant green color.
Feel free to experiment with different fresh herbs based on preference and seasonality.
For added protein, use a bean-based or lentil pasta option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg