Green Goddess Pasta Sauce (Printer-friendly)
Vibrant herbed avocado and spinach sauce tossed with pasta for a fresh, creamy meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Sauce Base
01 - 1 ripe avocado
02 - 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, packed
03 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
04 - 1/4 cup fresh chives
05 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon leaves (optional, but traditional)
07 - 2 cloves garlic, peeled
08 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
10 - Juice of 1 lemon
11 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)
12 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
13 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional for heat)
→ Pasta
15 - 12 oz dried pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or your favorite shape)
# How to Prepare:
01 - Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta through a colander and set aside.
02 - While the pasta cooks, add the avocado, spinach, basil, chives, parsley, tarragon (if using), garlic, olive oil, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and chili flakes to a food processor or high-speed blender. Process until completely smooth and vividly green, scraping down the sides as needed.
03 - Taste the sauce and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice to your preference. The sauce should be bright, creamy, and well-balanced.
04 - Return the drained pasta to the pot or transfer to a large mixing bowl. Pour the green goddess sauce over the hot pasta and toss thoroughly, adding splashes of the reserved pasta water until the sauce reaches your desired consistency and coats every strand evenly.
05 - Divide among serving bowls. Finish with an extra shower of Parmesan, a scattering of chopped fresh herbs, and a light drizzle of olive oil if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in the time it takes to boil pasta, which means dinner is ready before you start scrolling your phone.
- The herb combinations are forgiving, so use whatever is wilting in your fridge and it still tastes incredible.
02 -
- The sauce discolors quickly, so serve it right away or press plastic wrap directly onto the surface if you need to wait.
- Blending too long can warm the sauce and dull the color, so stop as soon as it looks smooth.
03 -
- A frozen avocado works perfectly here, so keep one on hand for nights when fresh produce is scarce.
- If your sauce tastes flat, the fix is almost always more lemon juice rather than more salt.