If you’re looking for a pasta dish that’s impossibly creamy, vibrant, and loaded with fresh herbs, you have to try Green Goddess Pasta Sauce. It’s an absolute flavor bomb, turning a handful of everyday ingredients into a dinner that’ll make you forget all about jarred sauces. This recipe is a weeknight hero: you just blend, toss, and twirl your way to bright, herby bliss. Trust me, once you take your first bite, you’ll want this green magic on your table all spring and summer long.

Green Goddess Pasta Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes this Green Goddess Pasta Sauce so irresistible is how simple yet powerful its ingredients are. Each one brings something special to the table: a pop of color, a creamy touch, or an aromatic punch. Here’s what you’ll need and why you don’t want to skip a single item:

Fresh dill: Adds a grassy, slightly sweet flavor that really makes the sauce pop.
Fresh chives: Give the sauce a gentle oniony kick without overpowering the fresh herbs.
Fresh cilantro: Delivers a citrusy brightness that lifts every bite.
Shallot: Offers subtle sweetness and depth, blending smoothly in the sauce.
Extra virgin olive oil: Use high quality for a buttery, luxurious base that ties everything together.
Fresh lemon juice: This splash of acidity brings vibrancy that balances the creamy elements.
Cottage cheese: Secret weapon for rich creaminess with a protein boost—perfect for blending.
Plain Greek yogurt: Adds tang and silkiness, making the sauce oh-so-luscious.
Pasta water: Starchy and salty, this helps the sauce cling to every noodle.
Freshly grated parmesan cheese: Salty, nutty, and completely essential for that luxurious finish.
Salt and pepper: Simple but crucial for bringing out all the vibrant flavors.
Your favorite pasta: Mafaldine is gorgeous and fun, but any shape you love will work beautifully.

How to Make Green Goddess Pasta Sauce

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Bring a nice big pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta until it’s perfectly al dente. I love using malfaldine for its ruffled edges, but truly, any pasta you love will turn this sauce into a showstopper. Don’t forget to save some of that starchy cooking water—you’ll need it for the sauce!

Step 2: Blend the Sauce

Now, this is where the Green Goddess Pasta Sauce gets its signature silkiness and emerald color. Add dill, chives, cilantro, shallot, olive oil, lemon juice, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, salt, pepper, and that all-important pasta water to your blender or food processor. Blitz until smooth and dreamy! Give it a taste—don’t hesitate to add a bit more salt or lemon if you want the flavors to pop.

Step 3: Heat and Combine

Pour the blended sauce into a large skillet and set it over low heat—this will help the flavors mingle and give the sauce a little warmth. Add your drained pasta right into the skillet, then toss everything together until every noodle is thoroughly coated in this bright green goodness.

Step 4: Finish with Parmesan

Sprinkle in the freshly grated parmesan cheese while the sauce and pasta are still warm. Toss gently so the cheese melts right in, making the Green Goddess Pasta Sauce impossibly creamy and utterly irresistible.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Dish up generous portions, then finish with a little extra parmesan if you like. The combination of herby aroma, velvety sauce, and pasta is pure magic!

How to Serve Green Goddess Pasta Sauce

Garnishes

Pile on even more freshness with a sprinkle of extra chives, dill, or cilantro right before serving. A big, snowy heap of grated parmesan on top takes the presentation (and flavor) from excellent to extraordinary. If you love a little crunch, swirl in toasted pine nuts or scatter over a handful of crisp breadcrumbs.

Side Dishes

Nothing complements Green Goddess Pasta Sauce like a crisp salad with lemon vinaigrette or sliced radishes for even more brightness. For a heartier meal, try garlic bread or roasted seasonal veggies on the side. Anything that soaks up the vibrant sauce will be a hit.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn this dish into a stunning pasta salad by chilling the sauced noodles and folding in sliced cherry tomatoes and arugula. Or, top it with a jammy egg or flaky roasted salmon for a showy supper. The green hue makes it a festive choice for gatherings and picnics too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Green Goddess Pasta Sauce keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to three days. Store any leftovers in an airtight container and give them a quick stir before reheating to bring back that signature creaminess.

Freezing

While you can freeze the sauce on its own (best without the pasta), dairy-based sauces like this one sometimes change texture after thawing. For best results, blend the sauce fresh, but if you do freeze it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and give it another quick blitz in the blender before using.

Reheating

Gently reheat Green Goddess Pasta Sauce over low heat on the stove, stirring frequently and adding a splash of pasta water or milk to loosen if needed. Microwave works in a pinch—just use short bursts and mix well to prevent the sauce from separating.

FAQs

Can I make Green Goddess Pasta Sauce vegan?

Absolutely! Swap the cottage cheese and Greek yogurt for plant-based alternatives and use nutritional yeast in place of parmesan. The sauce stays creamy and flavorful, with all the herby punch you love.

What pasta shapes work best?

Almost anything goes! Malfaldine is gorgeous with its ripples, but penne, fusilli, or spaghetti all hold the vibrant sauce beautifully. Just pick your favorite or whatever you have in the pantry.

Is there a way to make the sauce thicker or thinner?

Yes! If you like your Green Goddess Pasta Sauce extra creamy, add a bit more cottage cheese or Greek yogurt. To thin it out, just splash in more reserved pasta water until it’s just right.

Do I really need a high-speed blender?

Not at all—any standard blender, food processor, or even an immersion blender will do the job. Just be patient and blend until you reach a silky-smooth consistency.

Can I prepare the sauce ahead and toss with pasta later?

You can! Keep your Green Goddess Pasta Sauce in the fridge until you’re ready. Warm it gently before tossing with freshly cooked pasta for the best texture and flavor.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a pasta night that feels special and fresh, this Green Goddess Pasta Sauce is the one to beat. It’s the kind of meal that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, bursting with garden flavors and silky enough to win over even the biggest red-sauce loyalists. I hope you give it a try and make it your new weeknight go-to!