Creamy Green Goddess Pasta Recipe (Vegan)

This Creamy Green Goddess Pasta is the ultimate weeknight dinner—fresh, vibrant, and absolutely luscious, all while being 100% plant-based. It features a silky avocado-herb sauce that clings to every strand of pasta like a dream. The best part? It’s on your table in under 30 minutes! Whether you’re cooking for a busy family dinner or treating yourself after a long day, this dish delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ridiculously Creamy without Dairy: Thanks to ripe avocado and olive oil, you get that luxurious, velvety texture—no cream needed.
• Packed with Greens: Basil, parsley, spinach, and even a little lemon juice make this sauce taste like spring in a bowl.
• Fast and Fuss-Free: You can toss this together while your pasta cooks. Seriously—it’s that fast.
• Customizable and Meal Prep-Friendly: Works with any pasta and great both warm and chilled, making it a fabulous leftover lunch.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what makes this green goddess pasta truly shine:

• Avocado: The hero of the sauce—brings creaminess and healthy fats. Use ripe avocados for the best texture.
• Fresh herbs: Basil and parsley add that classic “green goddess” freshness. You can also toss in some chives or cilantro if that’s what you have.
• Spinach: Boosts the green color and sneaks in extra nutrients. Baby spinach blends beautifully into the sauce.
• Garlic: Just a clove or two gives a kick of flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
• Lemon juice: Brightens everything up and balances the richness of the avocado.
• Olive oil: Helps create that silky emulsion when blended with the other sauce ingredients.
• Nutritional yeast: Adds a savory, cheesy flavor that keeps things vegan without sacrificing depth.
• Pasta: Any shape works—penne, fettuccine, linguine, or even gluten-free varieties.
• Salt & pepper: Essential for rounding out the flavors. Taste and adjust at the end!

Variations

Want to switch it up? Here are a few tasty twists to try:

• Add protein: Toss in roasted chickpeas, grilled tofu, or tempeh for a hearty meal.
• Go spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a fresh jalapeño to the sauce for a bit of a kick.
• Make it nutty: Blend in a spoonful of cashew butter or pine nuts for an extra creamy, rich flavor.
• Switch up the herbs: Try arugula, mint, or kale if you’re low on basil or parsley.

How to Make Creamy Green Goddess Pasta

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about a cup of pasta water—this is liquid gold for your sauce.

Step 2: Blend the Sauce

In a blender or food processor, combine avocado, spinach, basil, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, nutritional yeast, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.

Step 3: Toss It All Together

Return the drained pasta to the pot or a large mixing bowl. Pour the green goddess sauce over the warm pasta and toss to coat. Add a bit more pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the noodles.

Step 4: Adjust and Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of vegan parmesan if you like.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Use ripe avocados: They should be soft but not mushy. Overripe avocados can taste bitter and muddy.
• Don’t skip the lemon: It prevents the avocado from browning and brightens the whole dish.
• Reserve pasta water: It helps make the sauce creamy and clingy without needing extra oil.
• Blend thoroughly: You want a super smooth sauce so it hugs every noodle.

How to Serve

This pasta is incredibly versatile! Serve it warm for a cozy comfort meal or chilled as a refreshing pasta salad.

Great Pairings:

• Crispy roasted vegetables: Think cauliflower, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes.
• Garlic bread: Always a yes.
• Light salad: A lemony arugula or cucumber salad keeps things fresh.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The lemon helps preserve the green color, but it’s best enjoyed fresh.

Freezing

Avocado-based sauces don’t freeze well, so this one’s best made fresh. If needed, you can prep the herb mix ahead and blend with avocado just before serving.

Reheating

Gently reheat in a pan over low heat with a splash of water or non-dairy milk. The sauce might thicken, so loosen it up slowly.

FAQs

Can I make this without a blender?
You can mash everything together by hand with a fork or potato masher, but the texture will be chunkier. A food processor or blender really gives the sauce its smooth, luscious quality.

What kind of pasta works best for this recipe?
Short shapes like fusilli or rigatoni hold the sauce well, but spaghetti or linguine give a lovely elegant swirl. Really, anything goes—use what you love!

How can I keep the avocado from browning?
Lemon juice is key here. It not only adds brightness but also helps prevent that unappetizing brown tint. Store the pasta with a layer of plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to limit air exposure.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be! Just use your favorite gluten-free pasta and make sure your nutritional yeast is certified gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Green Goddess Pasta is proof that healthy and plant-based doesn’t mean bland or boring. It’s bright, flavorful, and so easy to make, you might just put it on weekly repeat. Whether you’re a long-time vegan or just looking for a satisfying meatless meal, this one checks all the boxes. Go ahead—grab some avocados and let’s get cooking!

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