Name: Arugula and Walnut Pesto Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Ingredients: 4 cups arugula (packed, I used baby arugula); 2/3 cup olive oil; 3 cloves garlic (peeled); 1/2 cup walnuts; 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese (grated); 1/4 tsp salt (or to taste); 1/4 tsp pepper (or to taste); 12 oz dry pasta (I used gemelli)

Bring a splash of color to your table with this delicious Arugula and Walnut Pesto Pasta. A refreshing and healthy pesto ready in under 5 minutes making it perfect for your weeknight dinner rotation.

Walnut Pesto Pasta in a bowl topped with parmesan

If you love the flavors of pesto, you will love the nuttiness of this arugula and walnut pesto. Each ingredient on its own is a favorite of mine, the walnuts, the baby arugula which I love to add to salads, the olive oil which I pretty much add to every dish I make, the garlic which I cannot live without and last but not least, Parmesan cheese which I adore.

But together they become a harmonious blend of nuttiness and saltiness. The best part? The super fresh pesto is so quick to whip up and packs tons of nutrients and fiber – did I mention it’s also vegetarian?

Ingredients

Cheese – Parmesan cheese, a chunk of the good stuff freshly grated.
Olive oil – Any will do but if I have a bottle of the nice stuff laying around I like to use a bit of that.
Walnuts – We’re using this in place of pine nuts today but you can use whichever nuts you prefer!
Greens – We want some peppery, mild, slightly sweet baby arugula.
Garlic – Be sure to use fresh cloves, we want these to puree to a creamy consistency.
Salt & pepper – To taste.
Pasta – I like to use shaped pasta with lots of ridges for all that delicious pesto to stick to. Feel free to use whichever kind you prefer!

a plate of Walnut Pesto Pasta topped with parmesan

Up The Flavor

If you want this dish to become your own personal flavor bomb be sure to toast your nuts before incorporating them into your pesto. Toast them in a dry pan till they’re super fragrant before taking off the heat and allowing to cool.

How To Make Arugula and Walnut Pesto Pasta

Cook the pasta according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
Combine the pesto: Add the first 6 ingredients to a blender and pulse until smooth. If the pesto is too thick add a bit more pasta water.
Finish the pasta: Toss the pasta together with the pesto and top with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

Some Tips

Always wash your greens properly, so give that arugula good rinse with cold water and dry it with a salad spinner or between layers of paper towels.
Feel free to adjust the garlic in the recipe. I prefer a really garlicky pesto which is why I use 4 cloves, but if you want less garlic start with 1 clove and give it a taste.
I like to fill an ice cube tray with my pesto and place it in the freezer for a quick pop of flavor in my dishes that ready on hand.

Walnut Pesto Pasta on a plate with a fork

No Food Processor?

Fear not! You can just as easily whip up this pesto in your blender. I would recommend chopping up the arugula first and mincing the garlic before adding it to the blender, otherwise you might be forced to blend it more than needed and it would turn it into a smoother pesto.

Storing Leftover Pesto

Store in an airtight container for 5 – 7 days in the fridge but don’t be afraid to freeze your creation! It will last beautifully for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Storing Leftover Pasta

This dish will last 3 – 4 days sealed well in the fridge and up to 3 months frozen. It can be microwaved to reheat or heated up right in the oven still frozen.

Arugula and Walnut Pesto Pasta