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A close-up of a delicious Green Goddess Pasta Salad in a white bowl, featuring penne pasta, broccoli, avocado, and herbs, with a fork.
Maryam

Creamy Green Goddess Pasta Salad

A refreshing and vibrant Green Goddess Pasta Salad featuring al dente pasta, crisp vegetables, and a luscious, herb-packed homemade Green Goddess dressing. This salad is perfect for a light lunch, picnic, or a crowd-pleasing side dish.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta Salad
  • 12 oz fusilli or rotini pasta uncooked
  • 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced (English or Persian)
  • 1/4 cup red onion finely diced
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
  • 1 cup cooked chicken or chickpeas shredded or drained and rinsed (optional, for a main course)
For the Green Goddess Dressing
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt full-fat recommended
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley packed, leaves and tender stems
  • 1/4 cup fresh chives chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh tarragon chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste
  • 1-2 tbsp water or milk to thin, if needed

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Blender or Food Processor
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fusilli or rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Drain very well again.
Prepare the Green Goddess Dressing
  1. While the pasta cooks, prepare the dressing. In a blender or food processor, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), fresh parsley, chives, tarragon, dill, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. If the dressing is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of water or milk, a little at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Assemble the Pasta Salad
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled, drained pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, finely diced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and optional cooked chicken or chickpeas.
  2. Pour the prepared Green Goddess dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Chill and Serve
  1. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the Green Goddess Pasta Salad for at least 30 minutes (or ideally 1-2 hours) before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and develop. Give it a final toss before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

This Green Goddess Pasta Salad is best served chilled. It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For extra zest, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing. Feel free to customize with other favorite vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or avocado (add avocado just before serving to prevent browning).