Arugula Pesto Pasta
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Arugula Pesto Pasta, a quick and delicious comfort food that transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet experience. This dish features fresh arugula blended into a rich pesto, perfectly coating your favorite pasta shape. With aromatic garlic and nutty Parmesan, this delightful meal is perfect for cozy weeknights or impressive dinner parties. Enjoy every bite as you savor the memories created around your table!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Boiling/Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 2 cups fresh arugula leaves
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the linguine and cook until al dente, according to package instructions.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the arugula pesto: In a food processor, combine arugula, toasted pine nuts, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan. Pulse until finely chopped.
- With the processor running, gradually add olive oil until the mixture is smooth yet textured. Add lemon juice and season with salt to taste.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Return the drained pasta to the pot over low heat. Stir in the pesto gradually while adding reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and fresh arugula.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 300g)
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 31g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: - For a vegan version, substitute nutritional yeast for Parmesan cheese. - Feel free to customize by adding grilled chicken or roasted vegetables for extra flavor. - A pinch of chili flakes can add a delightful kick!