Description
This Green Goddess Pasta Salad is a refreshing, hearty summer dish packed with fresh vegetables, creamy herb dressing, and tender pasta. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or light lunches, it’s flavorful, vibrant, and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
1 pound short pasta, such as fusillini or casarecce
¾ cup mayonnaise
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
¼ teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ cup loosely packed basil leaves + 6 roughly chopped
2 cups roughly chopped spinach
¼ cup roughly chopped chives
½ pound asparagus, trimmed, cut in half lengthwise, then chopped into 1-inch pieces
1½ cups chopped snap peas or 1 cup sweet peas (thawed)
½ English cucumber or 4 Persian cucumbers, diced
1 cup pitted, halved Castelvetrano olives (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the dressing. In a blender, combine the mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic, Dijon mustard, ¼ cup basil, and 1 cup spinach. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, remaining basil, remaining spinach, chopped chives, asparagus, snap peas, cucumber, and olives (if using).
- Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables, tossing everything to coat evenly.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Add protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for a heartier meal.
- Swap veggies such as asparagus or snap peas with bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or artichokes.
- For dairy-free, use vegan mayo or cashew cream.
- Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version.
- Best served cold or at room temperature, not reheated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
