20 Minute Green Goddess Pasta Salad

Name: 20 Minute Green Goddess Pasta Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 8 oz pasta (fusilli or penne recommended); 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 medium cucumber, diced; 1 bell pepper, diced; 1 avocado, cubed; 1/4 red onion, finely chopped; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped; 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional); 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1/2 cup Green Goddess dressing; Salt and pepper to taste

Ever had one of those days when you just want something fresh, colorful, and oh-so-delicious without spending hours in the kitchen? If yes, then let me introduce you to your new best friend: 20 Minute Green Goddess Pasta Salad! This dish is vibrant, flavorful, and perfect for lunch, dinner, or a weekend picnic. Plus, it’s ridiculously easy to make. Seriously, if I can whip this up after a long day of work, so can you! 😄

Get ready for a tasty adventure with this pasta salad that feels like a burst of spring in a bowl. Let’s dive right in!

What is Green Goddess Pasta Salad?

You might be wondering, “What’s the deal with Green Goddess?” Well, the term "Green Goddess" actually refers to a rich, herbaceous dressing that hails from the 1920s. It screams freshness with a delightful blend of herbs, and in this salad, it comes together perfectly with pasta and veggies. Trust me, once you taste it, you might just find yourself whispering sweet nothings to your bowl. 🍝✨

Ingredients

Before we get cooking, let’s gather our ingredients—you know, because we’re fancy like that. Here’s what you’ll need:

Pasta: 8 oz. (your choice, but fusilli or penne works best)
Cherry Tomatoes: 1 cup, halved
Cucumber: 1 medium, diced
Bell Pepper: 1, diced (any color you fancy!)
Avocado: 1, cubed
Red Onion: 1/4, finely chopped
Fresh Herbs: 1/4 cup each of parsley and basil, chopped
Feta Cheese: 1/2 cup, crumbled (optional, but recommended—life is too short to skip feta!)
Olive Oil: 1/4 cup
Lemon Juice: 1 tbsp
Green Goddess Dressing: 1/2 cup (store-bought or homemade, but I won’t judge if you go for pre-made)
Salt and Pepper: To taste

Got everything? Great! Now, let’s get cooking!

Cooking the Pasta

Step 1: Boil the Water

Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add a generous pinch of salt—think ocean vibes here.

Step 2: Cook It Up

Throw in the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Make sure to stir occasionally; nobody likes sticky pasta!

Step 3: Drain and Rinse

Once it’s done, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process. This helps keep your pasta salad refreshing.

Mixing the Salad

Step 4: Combine the Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, avocado, red onion, and fresh herbs.

Step 5: Dress It Up

Drizzle the olive oil, lemon juice, and your fabulous Green Goddess dressing over the pasta mixture. Honestly, at this point, you’re like a chef in a fancy restaurant. Just don’t forget to toss everything together gently so the avocado doesn’t turn into guacamole.

Step 6: Spice It Up

Add salt and pepper to taste. Give it another gentle toss, and we’re nearly there!

Serving Suggestions

Time to Plate

Once everything is mixed, you can serve it up right away or let it chill for a bit to deepen those flavors. Got company? Impress them with your culinary masterpiece!

Pairing

Looking for the perfect pairing? This pasta salad goes fabulously with grilled chicken or shrimp. Or just eat it solo—there’s no shame in that. 😉

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: Seriously, it takes about 20 minutes, so you can whip it up even after a Netflix binge.
Customizable: Don’t want tomatoes? Swap ‘em for broccoli. Not a fan of feta? Leave it out!
Healthy and Fresh: It’s like a hug from Mother Nature herself—a mix of healthy carbs, fats, and veggies.
Great for Meal Prep: Make a big batch and enjoy it for lunches during the week, because who has time for adulting?

Pro Tips for the Ultimate Pasta Salad

To take your pasta salad game to the next level, here are some pro tips from yours truly:

Make Your Own Dressing: If you’re feeling adventurous, blend fresh herbs (basil, parsley, dill), Greek yogurt, a splash of vinegar, and olive oil for your own Green Goddess dressing. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor!
Layer It Up: When preparing for later, layer the dressing at the bottom of the bowl followed by the pasta and veggies. This keeps things fresh and prevents sogginess.
Get Creative: Add nuts or seeds for extra crunch, or throw in some olives for that Mediterranean flair. Mix it up and make it your own!

Final Thoughts

So there you have it! In just 20 minutes, you can create a vibrant, delicious Green Goddess Pasta Salad that will awaken your taste buds and impress anyone you share it with. Will they think you’re a culinary genius? Most definitely. Will they be jealous of your skills? Probably. 😏

The best part? You get to wield your pasta force without breaking a sweat. Next time someone asks you what to make for dinner, just smile and whisper, “20 Minute Green Goddess Pasta Salad.” And then casually enjoy the compliments that follow.

Now get in there, make some salad magic, and don’t forget to invite me over for a bowl! 🍽️