Arugula Pesto Pasta – Easy Summer Recipe
on Jul 16, 2015, Updated Nov 02, 2021
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Arugula Pesto Pasta is a dish that’s been on my radar for about 2 weeks. We’ve had a busy summer and although I knew I wanted to make this meatless summer dish, I honestly wasn’t sure if I was in the mood for cooking anything this mid-July afternoon. I can’t tell you how happy I went ahead with this one nor can I convey to you how wonderful this dish tastes.
About this
Nothing says summer like fresh pesto. Aside from summer, pesto evokes thoughts of basil, pine nuts, olive oil and maybe a little extra salt and pepper. There isn’t any basil in this pesto and as much as I love fresh basil, it is not missed at all. The arugula lends its own solid character and creates a new and very enjoyable summer-filled pesto.
This is possibly the best thing I’ve made all summer. I can’t deny that I loved the Balsamic MushroomPizza we threw together a few days ago. Yet this Arugula Pesto Pasta is different. 
Once in a while, not every day, a new dish will really wow me. It creates an indelible impression on my palate and in my mind. It represents the best of the season and becomes inextricably associated with the time and season that I experienced it. Last summer’s most memorable dish for me was our Sweet and Savory Grilled Eggplant. It was a new sensation and it’s the dish that I recall from last summer.
I think I just may discovered this summer’s honoree in this Arugula Pesto Pasta. Light green in color with a mellow background of nuts and pepper, this dish is a veritable celebration of the summer season.
My first forkful of this Arugula Pesto Pasta told me it was a winner. The peppery arugula balances the toasted pine nuts and both play off the Parmesan cheese in a 3-dimentional taste sensation. In the background there are hints of garlic, salt, and everything is held together but a high quality extra-virgin olive oil. As I savored the moment, I could feel each of these components stimulate the different taste buds throughout my palate. Truly, a summer party on my tongue.
There aren’t a lot of ingredients in this Arugula Peso Pasta and there isn’t a lot of expense. In fact, this meal can be put together for five or six bucks providing, maximum flavor for minimal effort and minimal expense. As I was having my private moment with this dish, it occurred to me that other than our readers, eateries need to put this on their summer menu now. If you know of restauranteur (or you are one yourself,) urge them to make this an offering, without delay. It’s an amazing dish you really need to try for yourself. Happy Summer. -Dan
Other delicious pasta recipes
- 15 Minute Creamy Pasta with Ham and Peas
- Zucchini and Pasta with Fresh Ricotta and Basil Pesto
- Mushroom and Sausage Pasta
- Chicken Penne Alfredo
- Spaghetti Pie Casserole with Homemade Sauce
- Rigatoni Margherita
- Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe
- Bucatini all’ amatriciana
- Conchigliette al forno (Baked Shells)
- Wonton Wrapper Sausage and Ricotta Ravioli
Arugula Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb. pasta
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 3 cups packed arugula
- 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- juice from 1/2 fresh lemon
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Using food processor, combine garlic and pine nuts and pulse-process until ground.
- Add arugula and Parmesan cheese, process while gradually adding olive oil to desired consistency.
- Stir in lemon juice and salt and pepper.
- Prepare pasta as directed.
- Drain pasta, stir in pesto, garnish with additional arugula and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love the sound of this pesto pasta dish, looks so tasty and really easy to put together.
I love a great pesto dish! I cam making some this week! Thanks for linking up to Saucy Saturdays!
That’s a beautiful pasta Dish! ๐ There’s nothing quite as fresh and delicious as a fresh herby pasta meal!
I love that you used arugula in the pesto too!
Thank you so much for sharing this with us at #SaucySaturdays!
Made this for dinner tonight! Delicious! I can understand why it’s a favorite.
Thanks so much Frances! We’re happy you enjoyed it.
After seeing this one on FB, I had to come and check it out. This new spin on pesto with my favorite salad green is genius. Peppery and when tossed with the lemon and the Parmesan cheese… heavenly!
Thanks, Kevin. I think you’ll really enjoy this one; we certainly did!
I love making and using any type of pesto, its so easy and really a very frugal dish, plus it beats a tomato sauce pasta any day of the week!
Thanks, Brian; I agree on all of these points, particularly after enjoying this dish as a mid-summer meal!
I’ve been thinking about trying arugula pesto…I actually picked up some arugula up at my CSA today too! It looks delicious and my goal is to have as much pesto in the freezer as possible by the end of the summer so we can enjoy it all winter long!
I hope you give this a try, Michelle, I know you will enjoy!!
This looks divine. Love using the arugula in the pesto! This is definitely a flavorful dish I have to try soon ๐
Thanks so much Brittany,it’s always fun to try new twists on old standards, I think you’ll like this one. It’s so nice to hear from you!
What a cool idea, Dan! I love arugula, and I love pesto, so I can imagine that I’d be wow’d by this pasta too. It certainly looks incredible. I just want a bite of that spaghetti and toasted garlic bread – YUM!!!
Thanks so much Beeta; I’ve always liked arugula but now I love it in a whole new way! Great to hear from you, as always!