Pasta with creamy avocado-basil dressing, tomatoes, cucumber and spinach — chilled and picnic-ready.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 10 oz short pasta (fusilli, farfalle, or penne)
02 - 1 teaspoon fine salt (for boiling water)
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
05 - 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
06 - 1/2 cup snap peas, thinly sliced
07 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
→ Green Goddess Dressing
08 - 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
09 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
10 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
11 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
12 - 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, packed
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
14 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 medium lemon)
15 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
16 - 1 garlic clove, peeled
17 - 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
18 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnishes (optional)
19 - 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds
20 - Extra fresh basil leaves
# How to Make:
01 - Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add 1 teaspoon fine salt, add the short pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water to stop cooking, and set aside to cool.
02 - While the pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, roughly chop the spinach, thinly slice the snap peas and finely dice the red onion; transfer to a large mixing bowl.
03 - Combine the avocado, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, basil, parsley, chives, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a blender or food processor; blend until completely smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust salt or lemon as needed.
04 - Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the prepared vegetables, pour the dressing over the top and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Add baby spinach and fold to combine without wilting.
05 - Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds and extra basil leaves. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 1–2 hours to allow flavors to meld before serving.
06 - For added protein, fold in grilled chicken or sautéed tofu before chilling. Adjust seasoning after adding any extra ingredients.
