Fresh Green Goddess Pasta Salad in 20 Minutes (Print Version)

20 Minute Green Goddess Pasta Salad: Your go-to for a quick, creamy, herb-packed meal! Enjoy fresh veggies & vibrant dressing. Ideal for lunch or weeknights.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta & Veggies

01 - 8 oz (225g) short pasta (rotini, fusilli, or penne)
02 - 1 English cucumber, diced
03 - 1 pint (2 cups) cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

→ Creamy Green Goddess Dressing

05 - 1/2 cup (120ml) mayonnaise (full-fat)
06 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
07 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, roughly chopped
08 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, roughly chopped
09 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
11 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
12 - 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)

→ Flavor Boosters & Garnish

14 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
15 - 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - Grab your favorite short pasta, like rotini or fusilli, and get a big pot of water boiling. Don't forget to salt that water generously – it should taste like the ocean! Cook it according to package directions until it's al dente. While it’s bubbling away, I usually start prepping my veggies. Once it’s done, drain it and rinse it with cold water. This stops the cooking and keeps the pasta from sticking together, which is a game-changer for pasta salads, trust me.
02 - While the pasta cools, grab your English cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Dice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces, halve those sweet cherry tomatoes, and thinly slice that red onion. I always make sure my knife is super sharp here; it just makes everything easier. Sometimes I get distracted and cut the red onion too thick, and then I have to go back and fix it. Oops! This step really brings the fresh crunch to our Green Goddess Pasta Salad.
03 - Now for the star! In a food processor or blender, combine the mayonnaise, fresh parsley, chives, dill, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, and garlic clove. Whiz it all up until it’s beautifully smooth and that vibrant green color. It smells absolutely incredible at this stage, so fresh and herby! Taste it and adjust the salt and pepper. You want it punchy and bright, a real hero for our Green Goddess Pasta Salad.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, toss together your cooled pasta, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion. This is where it starts to look like a proper salad! I always make sure the pasta is really well-drained here, because nobody wants a watery pasta salad. Give it a good mix to distribute all those lovely colors and textures, anticipating that glorious dressing.
05 - Pour that glorious Green Goddess Pasta Salad dressing over the pasta and veggies. Get in there with a spatula or big spoon and gently, but thoroughly, toss everything until every single piece of pasta and veggie is coated in that creamy, herby goodness. This is the moment where it all comes together. Sometimes I get a little overzealous and spill a bit, but hey, that's just part of the kitchen chaos!
06 - Once everything is coated, cover the bowl and pop your Green Goddess Pasta Salad into the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let those flavors mingle and chill out. This step is crucial, honestly. Before serving, give it another good stir. Then, sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and toasted pine nuts, if you're using them. The final result should look vibrant, smell fresh, and taste like pure, creamy bliss.

# Notes:

01 - Always rinse your cooked pasta with cold water for a pasta salad; it stops cooking and prevents stickiness, I learned that the hard way.
02 - Don't skimp on fresh herbs for the dressing; dried just won't give you that bright, vibrant flavor.
03 - Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad and adjust seasoning; it should be punchy on its own.
04 - This salad is even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep!

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large pot
02 - cutting board
03 - sharp knife
04 - food processor or blender
05 - large mixing bowl
06 - spatula or tongs

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 450 Calories
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 40g
Protein: 10g

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