This Pesto, Tomato, & Arugula Pasta might be one of the easiest and most delicious pastas I’ve ever made! This healthy pasta recipe is full of flavor with zesty pesto, cherry tomatoes, spicy arugula, and fresh parmesan. It seriously doesn’t get any easier than this dish!
This simple pasta dish combines 3 of my favorite ingredients in any recipe – pesto, tomatoes, and arugula! I eat the combination of these ingredients all the time and always make sure to have them on-hand. Looking for a great sandwich? Pesto, tomato, arugula, and any protein you love! Need a quick appetizer? Crostini with pesto, tomatoes, arugula, and a drizzle of balsamic! They are seriously the BEST 3 ingredients and elevate any dish from boring to amazing.
This Pesto, Tomato, & Arugula Pasta is as easy as boiling water and cooking the pasta! I use store-bought pesto, a container of cherry tomatoes, and a store-bought bag of arugula. Toss a little pasta water to combine everything and top with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese. So simple & so delicious!
Here’s how easy it is to make Pesto, Tomato, & Arugula Pasta:
- Cook the pasta according to the package, making sure to add 1-2 handfuls of salt to the boiling water before adding the pasta. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- If using chicken, cut the chicken into cubes, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, and cook in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through.
- Cut the tomatoes in half.
- When the pasta is done, transfer it to a bowl. Add 3-4 tbsp of store-bought pesto, the chopped tomatoes, the chicken, and 1/2 cup of pasta water. Stir to combine.
- Add the arugula and stir. Top with freshly shaved parmesan cheese.
This pasta can be served immediately or can be refrigerated for a delicious, cold, pasta salad.
You can make this recipe with any protein you prefer – salmon, salami, tofu, etc. You also make it vegetarian by omitting the chicken.
Pesto, Tomato, & Arugula Pasta
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb penne pasta or any other shape of pasta you like
- 1 container of cherry tomatoes
- 3-4 tbsp pesto
- 1-2 cups arugula
- freshly shaved parmesan cheese
- Optional: chicken, salmon, tofu, or any other protein
- salt & pepper
- Italian seasoning
Instructions
- If using chicken: cut chicken into cubes, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat a skillet over medium heat, add a tbsp or 2 of olive oil, and cook the chicken until done.
- Fill a medium pot with water and bring to a boil. While it is heating up, add 1-2 handfuls of salt. Cook the pasta according to the package. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- When the pasta is finished cooking, transfer it to a bowl. Add 3-4 tbsp of prepared pesto. Then add the cooked chicken & tomatoes. Add 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water and stir everything together. Add the arugula and top with freshly shaved parmesan cheese.
