15+ Arugula Recipes
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The vibrant, super healthy, peppery arugula is the star of the show in this collection of delicious arugula recipes.
Whether it’s a salad, a bowl of pasta, or crispy pizza, these recipes are perfect to turn the lovely greens into a delicious meal.
We love the bright, slightly tart arugula for so many reasons, don’t we?
This popular leafy green plant has various names, depending upon where in the world you are located. In Italy we call it rucola, but other names include salad rocket, garden rocket, and roquette.
And everyone loves it because its mildly bitter flavor goes a long way in a wide range of dishes.
It’s hard to resist the wonderful contrast between its peppery punch and the sweetness of vegetables or fruit. And it’s sensational when its fresh flavor is combined with tangy cheese like feta, goat cheese, or blue cheese turning a last-minute salad into a fancy salad!
Pre-washed arugula is also largely available at supermarkets usually sold in convenient bags, but it’s also easy to grow in containers and gardens if you’re lucky enough to grow your own vegetables!
If you wonder what to do with arugula, below you’ll find fabulous recipes sure to please everybody. Enjoy! : )
Arugula Recipes
Arugula Pear Salad
This autumn arugula pear salad features arugula leaves with a delicious classic combination of juicy pears, blue cheese and walnuts. It’s easy, ready in no time, and tastes fresh and fabulous.
Arugula Pasta
This scrumptious arugula pasta makes an easy weeknight meal that’s luscious and full of flavors. It’s also ready in less than 15 minutes!
Beet Salad with Arugula
With juicy beetroots, feta, and arugula, this fabulous salad is worthy of festive gatherings and it's ready in no time.
Sautéed Arugula
Can you cook arugula? The answer is yes! This sautéed arugula with raisins and crispy pine nuts makes a lovely and versatile Italian-style side dish.
Arugula Frittata with Feta
Super easy and ready in less than 15 minutes, this arugula frittata with feta makes a delicious vegetarian meal that’s warm, filling, and perfect for a yummy brunch.
Arugula, Rice & Grape Salad
The savory nuttiness of the toasted sunflower seeds paired with the sweetness of roasted grapes and the peppery arugula make this salad amazing!
Pizza with Arugula
Arugula on pizza? Yes, the crispy pizza crust topped with tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella, and fresh arugula is simply delicious.
Spinach Arugula Salad
In this yummy arugula salad the vibrant greens are topped with crispy croutons, savory parmesan cheese and tossed with a tangy lemon yogurt dressing. It’s the perfect healthy salad that combines flavors and textures!
Smoked Tofu & Arugula Sandwich
In this delightful sandwich the peppery arugula pairs beautifully with the smokey tofu, the creamy avocado, and the tahini sauce.
Arugula & Sweet Potato Salad
Here's another delicious salad that combines roasted sweet potato, avocado, pine nuts, and a mint yogurt dressing. Easy, fresh, and healthy!
Arugula Salad with Apples
Delicious, fresh and tangy, this delightful arugula salad with apples makes a light lovely salad but it's also fancy enough for holidays. Added bonus? It's on the table in about 10 minutes.
Veggie Pizza
The fresh and colourful topping made with creamy mozzarella, roasted vegetables and baby arugula makes this vegetarian pizza terrific!
Corn & Arugula Panzanella
In this satisfying vegetarian side sweet corn and fresh arugula make a wonderful combination of flavor and textures.
Zucchini Noodles with Arugula Pesto
This arugula-lime pesto pairs so well with fresh zucchini noodles, but I'm sure it will be perfect with your regular spaghetti as well!
Prosciutto and Corn Arugula Salad
Charred corn, crispy prosciutto, arugula and a parmesan vinaigrette are combined to make this truly sensational salad.
Farfalle with Marinated Feta, and Arugula
The tangy feta, the slightly wilted arugula and garlicky olive oil turn this simple pasta into a scrumptiious meal. How good is that?
Winter Salad
Beautiful and packed with plant-based protein, this winter salad is all about the lovely contrast between peppery arugula and sweet roasted root vegetables. It looks and tastes fabulous.
Apple Pecan Arugula Salad
Another fresh, colorful, fancy salad where the arugula leaves are combined with crisp apples, pecans, red onion, and dried cranberries. Delish!
Arugula Fig Salad
One of the classic combinations for this lovely salad: juicy figs, crunchy pistachios, and peppery arugula. Delicious!
Arugula benefits
And not only is the arugula the perfect ingredients for so many delightful and fresh recipes, but it’s also a nutritional powerhouse!
Closely related to kale and cauliflower, arugula is part of the cruciferous family and provides amazing health benefits with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Its benefits may include reduced risk of cancer, healthy bones, improved eyesight, and it also helps in boosting the brain and the immune system.
How to store Arugula
Although its peak season is June through December, you can get arugula year-round at the grocery store.
Here are a few simple tips to preserve and keep vibrant and fresh these delicate and highly perishable leafy greens:
- Firstly, buy leaves that are dark green and avoid wilted greens, yellow spots and brown edges.
- Go for for baby arugula, its milder flavor and delicate texture make it versatile and more pleasant than the mature counterpart sold in bunches which has a stronger and more pungent flavor.
- Store your fresh arugula in an airtight container or plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. It should last for up to 5 days.
And if you loved this collection of recipes with arugula, you might be interested in…
If you’re looking for more ideas about how to use up ingredients that you might have in your fridge, below you’ll find more collections of recipes:
- 15 Fresh mint recipes
- Artichoke recipes
- 34 Canned tomato recipes
- 25+ Green lentil recipes
- 15 Cannellini bean recipes
- 17 Ricotta recipes
- 16 Recipes with onions
- 15 Mozzarella recipes
If you try and love one these arugula recipes, or if you have any question, let me know in the comment below. I would love to hear from you!
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15+ Amazing Arugula Recipes
Ingredients
Pasta
- ½ lb (8oz/220 grams) pasta (linguine, penne, spaghetti)
Arugula pesto
- 4 cups (80 grams) baby arugula, washed
- ⅓ cup (40 grams) sun dried tomatoes, drained
- ¼ cup (30 grams) cashews
- 1 garlic clove, sliced
- ⅓ cup (30-40 grams) grated parmesan cheese (or use a few whole pieces, same weight)
- ¼ tsp fine salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup (60 ml) pasta cooking water
Instructions
Pasta
- Cook pasta in a large pot with boiling salty water until al dente.
- When it's nearly done, scoop out 1 cup of pasta water and set aside.
- Finally, drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
Arugula pesto
- While the pasta is cooking, place arugula, parmesan, garlic, cashews, tomatoes, salt and pepper in the food processor. Give a quick blitz just until the mixture resembles a coarse consistency.
- Scrape down sides as needed, add extra virgin olive oil and pasta cooking water (use ¼ cup of the water you reserved) and give another quick whizz. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
- Add the arugula pesto sauce to the drained pasta and toss well to combine. Stir in some pasta water as much as needed until you get a juicy texture.
- Serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil if desired. Enjoy.
My arugula plants are SO BIG because I never harvested them.
I never bought or used arugula.
Wow. All these recipes! i might turn green.
Thank you!!
That’s great to hear, Suzanne! : )
Hope you’ll get the most of your fresh, big arugula… enjoy! x