Name: Zesty Arugula Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 0.5 cup rotini pasta; 7 medium cherry tomatoes, halved; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 0.5 medium lemon, juiced; 1 teaspoon minced garlic; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 0.75 cup fresh arugula

Vegetarian Pasta Salad

Arugula Pasta Salad

Sep 21, 2025
by Ada Carter
- 5.0 / 5 ( 2 Ratings)
1 Likes

PREP TIME

5 mins
COOK TIME

15 mins
TOTAL TIME

25 mins
SERVING

1 People
VIEWS

6

Embrace the vibrant flavors of summer with this effortless Arugula Pasta Salad. A delightful medley of perfectly cooked rotini, sweet cherry tomatoes, and peppery arugula, all brought together by a zesty lemon-garlic dressing. It's a quick, refreshing, and utterly satisfying dish that's perfect for a light lunch or a simple supper.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

0.5 cup rotini pasta

7 medium cherry tomatoes, halved

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

0.5 medium lemon, juiced

1 teaspoon minced garlic

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

0.75 cup fresh arugula

Nutrition

Carbohydrate

44 g
Fiber

5 g
Protein

8 g
Saturated Fat

4 g
Sodium

20 mg
Fat

28 g
Unsaturated Fat

0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Bring 3 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium pot. (2 minutes)

02

Step

Stir in the rotini pasta and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender yet firm to the bite (al dente), about 8 minutes. (8 minutes)

03

Step

Drain the pasta immediately and let it cool for 3 minutes. (3 minutes)

04

Step

Place the cooked rotini in a serving bowl.

05

Step

Add the halved cherry tomatoes, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Toss gently until all ingredients are well combined and the pasta is evenly coated with the dressing. (2 minutes)

06

Step

Add the fresh arugula to the pasta mixture. Toss lightly to incorporate the arugula without over-mixing. The arugula should remain slightly peppery and not wilted. (1 minute)

07

Step

Serve immediately or chill for later. Garnish with a lemon wedge, if desired.

For an extra layer of flavor, try adding a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese or a handful of toasted pine nuts.
If you prefer a creamier dressing, whisk in a tablespoon of ricotta cheese or Greek yogurt.
The pasta can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Just be sure to add the arugula right before serving to prevent it from wilting.
Adjust the amount of lemon juice and garlic to your taste preference.

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Ada Carter

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.