Description
Green goddess pasta brings fresh herbs and luxurious creaminess together in one irresistible dish. Packed with zesty flavors and silky texture, you’ll savor every delightful bite of this quick and elegant Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Greens:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta of choice (spaghetti, linguine, fusilli, or gluten-free)
- 1 cup steamed broccoli or peas (optional)
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup fresh parsley
- ¼ cup fresh spinach (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup water (plus more as needed for thinning)
Seasonings and Optional Toppings:
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast or grated parmesan (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
- Optional toppings: red pepper flakes, extra herbs, or parmesan
Instructions
- Fill a spacious cooking vessel with generously salted water and bring to a vigorous boil. Submerge pasta and cook until achieving an al dente texture, periodically testing for doneness. Extract 1/4 cup of starchy liquid before straining the pasta, then set aside.
- Transfer avocado, fresh green herbs including basil, parsley, and spinach into a high-powered blending apparatus. Incorporate minced garlic, freshly squeezed citrus juice, extra virgin olive oil, additional liquid, and nutritional enhancement from yeast or aged cheese. Pulverize ingredients until achieving a silky, uniform texture. Adjust liquid incrementally to create ideal sauce viscosity. Season with mineral salt and ground peppercorns to elevate flavor profile.
- Position cooked pasta within the original cooking vessel or expansive mixing bowl. Cascade the verdant, creamy sauce over the pasta, gently manipulating to ensure comprehensive coating. If sauce appears slightly dense, introduce reserved starchy liquid to facilitate smoother distribution and enhance overall sauce adherence to pasta strands.
Notes
- Add extra herbs like chives or tarragon for a more complex flavor profile that elevates the green goddess sauce.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe completely gluten-free and suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Boost protein by stirring in grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crispy tofu cubes for a more substantial meal.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days, knowing the sauce may slightly oxidize and darken but remain delicious.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg