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Bucatini pasta with arugula pesto and torn burrata in a white dish with bread and a pink napkin in the background.
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5 from 4 votes

Arugula Pesto Pasta

This arugula pesto pasta is bold, peppery, and ready in 20 minutes. A simple food processor sauce that makes weeknight pasta feel totally special.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: dinner, Main, Main Course, Mains
Cuisine: American, Italian
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 725kcal
Author: Jessica Lawson

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cups packed baby arugula
  • ¼ cup pine nuts or almonds
  • ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 pound pasta
  • Optional: 8oz torn burrata cheese or other mix-ins of your choice

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salty water to a boil for the pasta. While you're waiting, make the pesto.
  • In the bowl of your food processor add arugula, nuts, garlic, parmesan, cheese, lemon juice and salt. Pulse until arugula is broken down and mixture is incorporated.
  • While the food processor is running, drizzle in olive oil until everything comes together is a rough paste. I like the mixture to have a bit of texture and not be completely smooth.
  • Check for seasoning and adjust if necessary.
  • Set aside pesto and cook pasta to al dente according to package directions. Before you drain the pasta, use a mug or heat safe measuring cup to scoop out about a cup of pasta water and set aside.
  • In the warm pasta pot, add cooked pasta back in, desired amount of pesto and a splash of pasta water. Use tongs to toss and coat the pasta with the sauce, adding more pesto or water until desired taste and consistency.
  • Serve immediately on its own, with torn burrata or other mix-ins of your choice.

Notes

Don't forget to reserve some pasta water to mix in with the cooked pasta and sauce. This will help the pesto cling to the pasta and make it silky.
The arugula pesto can be made ahead of time and will keep well in the fridge for about 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 725kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 357mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 292IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 2mg