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Zesty Lemon Arugula Pasta Salad Recipe

Zesty Lemon Arugula Pasta Salad Recipe

A refreshing Zesty Lemon Arugula Pasta Salad packed with flavors and textures, perfect for any meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • dry skillet
  • mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients

  • 8 oz pasta Barilla Penne for al dente texture
  • 4 oz arugula
  • 8 leaves basil hand-torn into ½-inch pieces
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • cup walnuts toasted and chopped into ¼-inch pieces
  • cup parmesan grated

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1.5 lemons lemon juice and zest zested and juiced
  • ¾ cup olive oil Lucini Premium Select preferred
  • 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon capers
  • 1 teaspoon caper brine
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon honey

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and golden. Let cool, then chop into ¼-inch pieces.
  • Zest and juice the lemons, tear the basil leaves, halve the cherry tomatoes, and grate the parmesan cheese.

Cooking Pasta

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well but do not rinse; set aside to cool slightly.

Making Dressing

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine lemon juice and zest, white balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, capers, caper brine, honey, salt, and black pepper. Whisk together and slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking constantly.
  • Stir in grated parmesan and toasted walnuts until well combined.

Tossing the Salad

  • Add the cooked pasta to the dressing and toss thoroughly. Add halved cherry tomatoes and torn basil, then toss gently to combine. Add arugula last to prevent wilting.
  • Serve immediately or let sit for 10-15 minutes for flavors to develop.

Notes

Toast walnuts to deepen nuttiness. Tear basil by hand to prevent bruising. Do not rinse pasta after cooking. Add arugula last to avoid wilting.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 8gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Arugula, Healthy Salad, pasta salad, Vegetarian, zesty lemon
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