Arugula Pesto Pasta with Creamy Ricotta: Your Ultimate Easy Weeknight Meal
Look no further for your next go-to weeknight dinner! This vibrant and incredibly fresh Arugula Pesto Pasta with Ricotta Cheese is a seasonal delight that will quickly become a staple in your culinary repertoire. Perfectly balancing bold flavors with creamy indulgence, this dish is designed for those busy evenings when you crave something satisfying, quick, and bursting with fresh, wholesome ingredients.
Pasta holds a special place in my heart as the ultimate easy dinner solution, making an appearance at least once a week in my kitchen. There’s a certain joy in the freedom of intuitive cooking – I rarely follow a strict recipe, instead opting to combine fresh vegetables, a good quality pasta, a drizzle of olive oil, and a medley of herbs. Sometimes, a touch of cream or a lean protein finds its way into the mix. A generous sprinkle of cheese and freshly ground black pepper always provides the perfect finishing touch. The beauty of this approach? A delicious, homemade dinner can be on the table in under 30 minutes, effortlessly adapting to whatever fresh ingredients I have on hand.
For those truly rushed evenings, when every minute counts, a simple toss with homemade pesto I’ve cleverly stored in my freezer from last fall’s garden bounty is an absolute lifesaver. This quick pesto pasta is a testament to the power of preparation and the delight of fresh flavors, even when time is scarce. It transforms a humble bowl of pasta into a gourmet experience with minimal effort, proving that fast food can indeed be fantastic food, especially when you start with a quality pesto base.
As the seasons shift, so do our garden plans and grocery store finds. We’re currently in the exciting phase of preparing our garden for planting, with aspirations for a lush, abundant basil bush, much like the one that thrived last summer. However, summer’s warmth isn’t quite here yet, and fresh basil can still be surprisingly expensive at the local grocery store. This seasonal reality often guides my ingredient choices, leading me to explore equally delicious and more readily available alternatives for my homemade pesto recipes.
Thankfully, spring and early summer bring a bounty of vibrant greens into season, such as crisp arugula, tender spinach, and robust kale. Each of these greens offers a unique flavor profile and makes for an exceptional pesto base. Faced with a busy week ahead, a strong craving for the bright, aromatic taste of pesto, and a generous bunch of fresh arugula waiting patiently in my fridge, the decision was incredibly simple. Crafting an arugula pesto wasn’t just a practical choice; it was an inspired one, promising a delightful twist on a classic favorite and utilizing the best of what the season has to offer for a truly fresh pasta experience.
While basil often garners all the glory when it comes to pesto, I’m here to champion the equally magnificent arugula pesto. The vibrant, peppery notes of arugula, harmoniously blended with crunchy walnuts, salty Parmesan cheese, pungent garlic, and rich olive oil, create a pesto that is truly exquisite. I find this combination to be just as captivating as traditional basil pesto, if not a touch more intriguing. It offers a delightful change of pace, introducing a subtle bitterness and a fresh, zesty kick that elevates any dish. This arugula pesto isn’t just a substitute; it’s a star in its own right, perfect for adding depth and character to your pasta dishes.
The unbeatable synergy of hot, perfectly cooked pasta and fresh, homemade pesto is a culinary delight in itself. But to truly elevate this weeknight wonder, a generous dollop of creamy ricotta cheese is the secret ingredient that completes the puzzle. The ricotta adds a luxurious, velvety texture and a mild, milky sweetness that beautifully contrasts and mellows the peppery bite of the arugula pesto. It creates a wonderfully balanced dish that is both comforting and sophisticated, making it an irresistible choice for any evening. This simple addition transforms a great meal into an extraordinary one, guaranteed to be requested repeatedly week after week!
Crafting Your Perfect Arugula Pesto Pasta
Creating this delightful Arugula Pesto Pasta with Ricotta Cheese is a straightforward process, making it ideal for both seasoned cooks and kitchen novices. The magic truly begins with the pesto, which is remarkably simple to prepare from scratch. Utilizing fresh, vibrant ingredients ensures a depth of flavor that store-bought varieties simply can’t match, making this a truly special weeknight meal.
The Heart of the Dish: Homemade Arugula Pesto
Don’t be intimidated by making your own pesto! It’s far easier than you might think and incredibly rewarding. For this recipe, fresh arugula leaves are the star, providing a distinct peppery taste that sets it apart from traditional basil pesto. When selecting arugula, look for bright green leaves without any wilting, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor. Paired with walnuts, which offer a delightful crunch and earthy undertone, and grated Parmesan cheese for its salty, umami kick, you have the foundational elements of a fantastic pesto. Garlic cloves add that essential aromatic warmth, while salt and pepper season it perfectly. The olive oil is key – a good quality extra virgin olive oil will lend a fruity, rich flavor and help emulsify the ingredients into a smooth, vibrant sauce. Remember, the consistency is entirely up to you; a thinner pesto might require slightly more oil, while a thicker one needs less.
Once prepared, homemade pesto is incredibly versatile. Beyond this pasta dish, you can use it as a spread for sandwiches, a topping for grilled chicken or fish, or even stirred into soups and stews. And as mentioned, it freezes beautifully, allowing you to enjoy the taste of fresh, seasonal greens long after they’re out of season. Simply portion it into ice cube trays or small containers, cover with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent oxidation, and freeze. Thaw as needed for quick and delicious meals, proving that a little upfront effort yields big rewards.
Choosing Your Pasta and the Creamy Finish
For this Arugula Pesto Pasta, I recommend using delicate strands like capellini or angel hair pasta. Their fine texture allows the light, vibrant pesto sauce to cling beautifully, ensuring every bite is infused with flavor. However, feel free to use your favorite pasta shape – penne, fusilli, or spaghetti would also work wonderfully. The key is to cook the pasta until it’s al dente, meaning it’s tender but still has a slight bite. This ensures the pasta holds its structure and complements the sauce rather than becoming mushy, which is crucial for a satisfying pasta dish.
The addition of ricotta cheese is what truly transforms this dish into a creamy, comforting masterpiece. Fresh ricotta, with its mild, slightly sweet, and wonderfully smooth texture, is stirred into the hot pasta and pesto. It melts slightly, creating a luscious sauce that coats each strand of pasta and mellows the peppery arugula, adding a depth of richness without being overly heavy. It’s the perfect counterpoint to the vibrant pesto, making the dish incredibly balanced and satisfying. This creamy finish makes this arugula pesto pasta a standout for any weeknight.
Tips for a Seamless Weeknight Meal
- Prep Ahead: Make the arugula pesto a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. This significantly cuts down on meal prep time on busy weeknights, making your pasta dinner even quicker.
- Don’t Skimp on Pasta Water: Always reserve about a cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. It’s your secret weapon for achieving the perfect sauce consistency. If your pesto pasta seems a little dry, a splash or two of pasta water will help loosen the sauce and make it incredibly silky and well-incorporated.
- Garnish for Freshness: A final sprinkle of fresh arugula leaves, a grating of extra Parmesan cheese, or even a few toasted walnuts can add visual appeal and an extra burst of flavor and texture to the finished dish, elevating it further.
- Customize Your Plate: While delicious on its own as a light, fresh meal, this pasta also pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, pan-seared shrimp, or a crisp side salad for a more complete and satisfying dinner.
Arugula Pesto Pasta with Ricotta Cheese
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Ingredients
For the Pesto:
- 2 cups arugula , packed (50 grams)
- ½ cup walnuts , chopped (55 grams)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese , grated (50 grams)
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ⅓-½ cup olive oil (80-120 ml)
For the Pasta:
- 1 lb capellini or angel hair pasta (455 grams)
- 3-4 tablespoons pesto
- ½ cup ricotta cheese (120 grams)
Instructions
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To make the pesto, combine the arugula, walnuts, parmesan cheese, garlic, salt and pepper in a food processor. With the food processor running, slowly add the olive oil until the mixture is your desired consistency. You can make it as thin or thick as you like.
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To prepare the pasta, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the capellini or angel hair pasta and cool until al dente.
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Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water. Toss the pasta with a few tablespoons of the pesto. Add pasta water if necessary to moisten the pesto. Add the ricotta cheese and toss until incorporated.
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Serve immediately. Garnish with arugula, if desired.
Notes
Why This Arugula Pesto Pasta Will Be Your New Favorite
This Arugula Pesto Pasta with Ricotta Cheese isn’t just another meal; it’s a celebration of fresh, seasonal ingredients combined with the convenience of a quick and easy preparation. It embodies everything you want in a weeknight dinner: it’s fast, flavorful, incredibly satisfying, and leaves you feeling good about what you’ve eaten. Whether you’re a seasoned cook looking for a new twist on pasta or a beginner seeking a foolproof recipe, this dish is designed to impress with minimal fuss and maximum taste, truly defining an easy weeknight meal.
The vibrant, peppery kick of the arugula pesto, the comforting embrace of al dente pasta, and the creamy, balancing touch of ricotta create a symphony of flavors and textures that dance on your palate. It’s a reminder that gourmet meals don’t require hours in the kitchen, and that simple, high-quality ingredients can produce truly unforgettable dishes. So, go ahead, gather your fresh arugula, whip up that homemade pesto, and treat yourself and your loved ones to this delightful, easy weeknight pasta. You’ll be glad you did, and it just might become your favorite new way to enjoy fresh pesto pasta!