Green Goddess Pasta Salad
This Green Goddess Pasta Salad combines tender pasta, protein-rich white beans, green olives, pumpkin seeds, and crisp cucumber, all tossed in a creamy herb and tahini dressing. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s an easy, plant-based salad great for BBQs and potlucks.
Servings 6 - 8 side dish servings
Calories 1910kcal
Ingredients
- 8 ounces short pasta I used cavatappi but fusilli, penne, or other works.
Dressing:
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup white beans cannellini, navy beans, white kidney beans
- ½ cup sliced green olives
- ⅓ cup pumpkin seeds pepitas
- ½ medium English cucumber chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta to al dente in a pot of salted water. Drain immediately. Allow to cool slightly.8 ounces short pasta
Make the Dressing
- While the pasta cooks, make the dressing. Chop the green onions and basil for easier blending. Wash and dry cilantro and parsley. Small tender stems can be included.½ cup parsley leaves, ½ cup basil leaves, 2 medium green onions, ½ cup cilantro leaves
- Combine herbs and onions in a blender with the olive oil, tahini, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth. Add water as needed to reach a thick, creamy dressing. Add salt and pepper. Taste and adjust flavors to your taste.3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons tahini, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1-2 tablespoons water, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Assemble the Pasta Salad
- Chop the cucumber into small pieces.½ medium English cucumber
- In a large bowl, combine the pasta, white beans, chopped cucumber, olives, and pumpkin seeds. Add all the dressing and toss to coat.1 cup white beans, ½ cup sliced green olives, ⅓ cup pumpkin seeds
Notes
- Prepare the dressing ahead and store it in the fridge for up to a week to save time on busy days.
- For extra crunch and nuttiness, lightly toast pumpkin seeds before adding them to the salad.
- If you don’t like cilantro, swap it for a blend of basil, dill, and mint to keep the dressing fresh and flavorful.
- Store the pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days; bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 1910kcal | Carbohydrates: 237g | Protein: 62g | Fat: 83g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Monounsaturated Fat: 48g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 2283mg | Potassium: 2425mg | Fiber: 27g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 4452IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 416mg | Iron: 17mg
