Why Make This Recipe
Green Goddess Pasta Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish that’s perfect for any occasion. It combines delicious ingredients that provide not only flavor but also a variety of textures. This pasta salad is great for picnics, potlucks, or simply enjoying at home. Plus, it’s easy to make in advance and can be served cold, making it a fantastic option for busy days.
How to Make Green Goddess Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz (225g) rotini pasta
- 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup (150g) cucumber, diced
- 1 cup (150g) broccoli florets, blanched
- 1/4 cup (30g) red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup (75g) feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup (40g) sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup (125ml) green goddess dressing
Green Goddess Dressing:
- 1/2 cup (125ml) mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup (60ml) sour cream
- 1/4 cup (60ml) chopped chives
- 1/4 cup (60ml) chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) tarragon vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions:
- Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
- Prepare the green goddess dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, parsley, lemon juice, tarragon vinegar, and garlic. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, broccoli florets, red onion, feta cheese, and sunflower seeds.
- Pour the green goddess dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to coat everything evenly in the dressing.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Before serving, give the salad a final toss and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve chilled.
How to Serve Green Goddess Pasta Salad
Serve Green Goddess Pasta Salad as a main dish or a hearty side. It pairs well with grilled meats, sandwiches, or even as a solo meal for lunch or dinner. Enjoy it cold for the best taste!
How to Store Green Goddess Pasta Salad
Store any leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can stay fresh for up to 3 days. If the salad gets a little dry, add a splash more of the green goddess dressing before serving.
Tips to Make Green Goddess Pasta Salad
- You can use other types of pasta like penne or fusilli if you prefer.
- For a vegan option, substitute the mayonnaise and sour cream with plant-based versions.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots for extra crunch and color.
Variation
You can customize this pasta salad to suit your taste. Add grilled chicken for protein, swap feta cheese for goat cheese, or toss in avocado for creaminess.
FAQs
1. Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the green goddess dressing a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge.
2. Is this pasta salad suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! Green Goddess Pasta Salad holds up well in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep.
3. Can I use different herbs in the dressing?
Yes, you can try using different herbs like dill or basil to change the flavor of the dressing.
Green Goddess Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
- 8 oz rotini pasta Use your preferred pasta shape.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved Choose ripe tomatoes for best flavor.
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup broccoli florets, blanched Blanch to retain color and crunch.
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped Soak in water for a milder flavor if desired.
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled Substitute with goat cheese if preferred.
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds For added crunch.
- 1/2 cup green goddess dressing See recipe for dressing below.
For the Green Goddess Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise Can be substituted with vegan mayonnaise.
- 1/4 cup sour cream Use a plant-based sour cream for a vegan option.
- 1/4 cup chopped chives
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice Freshly squeezed is best.
- 1 tablespoon tarragon vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
- Prepare the green goddess dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, parsley, lemon juice, tarragon vinegar, and garlic. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, broccoli florets, red onion, feta cheese, and sunflower seeds.
- Pour the green goddess dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to coat everything evenly in the dressing.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Before serving, give the salad a final toss and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve chilled.