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Arugula pasta salad in a bowl.
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Arugula Pasta Salad

With roasted red peppers, chickpeas, kalamata olives and cucumbers, this arugula pasta salad has so much wonderful flavor in each bite. It's tossed in a lemon arugula dressing.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 6
Author: Paige Adams

Ingredients

For vinaigrette

  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup packed baby arugula leaves
  • 1 lemon, juice
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/3 cup olive oil

For salad

  • 8 ounces gemelli or fusilli pasta
  • 15 ounce can chickpeas
  • 1 cup diced roasted red peppers
  • 1 cup diced cucumbers
  • 1 cup halved pitted kalamata olives
  • 1/4 cup finely diced red onions
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan plus more for serving
  • 2 cups baby arugula

Instructions

  • To make the vinaigrette, puree the garlic, mustard, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup arugula, lemon juice, vinegar and olive oil in a food processor or blender until smooth.
  • Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water in a colander.
  • In a large bowl, stir the pasta with half the vinaigrette.
  • Fold the chickpeas, roasted red peppers, cucumbers, olives, red onions, pine nuts, parmesan  and arugula into the pasta.
  • Drizzle in more dressing as desired. Garnish with grated parmesan before serving.

Notes

To make the salad vegan, omit the cheese or use a plant-based, dairy-free parmesan.
 
If you need the recipe to be gluten free, use chickpea pasta.
 
You can make the salad dressing up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Let it sit out at room temperature for 15 minutes before you stir it into the salad.
 
Leftover pasta salad can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Let it sit out at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
 
You can add one or more of the following ingredients:
  • Chopped salami or pepperoni
  • Chopped or shredded cooked chicken
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Diced avocados
  • Sliced pepperoncini
  • Fresh parsley or basil

Nutrition

Calories: 396kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 1386mg | Potassium: 375mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 493IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 130mg | Iron: 2mg