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Wholewheat Penne with Arugula Pesto


The distinct peppery tang and earthy flavour of arugula make this pesto especially rich, robust and utterly delicious! Besides using it for the pasta, I also used it to make one wholewheat pizza with lots of black olives, and tomatoes.

  • 200 g Wholewheat penne
  • 3 cup Baby arugula leaves
  • 3-5 Garlic cloves, sliced
  • 40 g Walnuts, toasted
  • 2 tbsp Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 70 ml Olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt and the pasta to the boiling water and stir. Boil gently uncovered, stirring occasionally. Follow package directions and cook until al dente stage, chewy but not hard.
  2. Meanwhile, combine arugula, garlic slices, walnuts and Parmesan cheese in a food processor. With the machine running, slowly drizzle in olive oil and process until evenly blended. Season pesto well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix until evenly combined.
  3. Drain pasta and return to the pot. Add arugula pesto and toss well. Serve immediately. The pesto will keep about 1 week in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.

85 comments:

My Little Space 20/11/10 16:32

Gosh, you have no idea how much I love pesto nowadays! A kind of addicted! ^_^ Yours sounds wonderful indeed. Thanks for sharing and hope you're enjoying the weekend. Happy shopping!
Kristy

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Unknown 20/11/10 16:33

I absolutely love arugula and I was introduced to arugula pesto last year and I am a convert. Yum. The pasta and pizza look delicious. :)
Have a great weekend. Michael

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Unknown 20/11/10 16:42

I luv the fresh green dip...looks so yummy

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aipi 20/11/10 18:07

wow, that does look delicious, I love anything with pesto !!!

US Masala

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Biren @ Roti n Rice 20/11/10 18:32

Both the pasta and pizza looks delicious! Never thought of using arugula instead of basil for pesto. Must be really good as a base for the pizza.

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Ivy 20/11/10 19:22

Both pasta and pizza sound amazing. Arugula pesto may not be my favourite but I still love any kind of pesto.

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sangeeta 20/11/10 20:26

Loved the rustic looking pizza . I make this arugula pesto pasta and love it already , pizza i am yet to try with this pesto...

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Lisa | Authentic Suburban Gourmet 20/11/10 21:25

I adore arugula and made into a pesto - perfect! I am hungry right now and wish I had a bowl of that delish pasta!!

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art is in the kitchen 20/11/10 21:50

Wow, a new twist in pesto sauce! I like the peculiar taste of arugula. I'll follow your recipe to savor your innovative dish. Ciao!

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Belinda @zomppa 20/11/10 23:48

Hmmmmmmmmmmm great dish - love the color.

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Stella 20/11/10 23:57

I love pestos, Angie. Your dish of arugula pesto looks so delicious, and I would imagine that it is so aromatic and wonderful!

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Shirley @ Kokken69 21/11/10 00:08

Love arugula and thanks for sharing this unique recipe!

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Zurin 21/11/10 02:10

ohh this looks so good. the pesto sounds delicious and the pizza too! A pity arugula is on the expensive side here. But must give it a try one day. gorgeous pics!

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ann low 21/11/10 04:10

This is irresistible! I must try arugula next time when I make pesto again.

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Magic of Spice 21/11/10 04:13

This pesto sounds wonderful, and that pizza looks amazing :)

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Nitha 21/11/10 05:33

thats interesting recipe...

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Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels 21/11/10 06:19

I love pesto but have never of though of making arugula pesto! What a creative and tasty idea. I love how you put it on both the pasta and the pizza. I can't wait to try your recipe out. :)

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Cookin' Canuck 21/11/10 06:19

Pesto in any form is one of our favorite sauces to use in pasta dishes. That pizza, however, is what is really jumping out at me. Gorgeous!

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Unknown 21/11/10 07:30

Hey Angie,

The pasta and pizza look yummy and great...:)Love the pizza especially...

Dr.Sameena@

http://www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com

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Jeannie 21/11/10 08:09

Wow! Love the look of that pizza! I have yet to try my hands at making pesto, they do sould like a very useful and delicious sauce to have around the house!

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nora@ffr 21/11/10 10:08

lov the sauce ye have used with pasta :) go pesto!!! and that pizza?? i cant take my eyes of it!! droooolinggg!!! yummmm missed u a lott angieeee!!!

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Unknown 21/11/10 11:10

I love a good pesto, they are so versatile :D
Hope you are having a great weekend!
*kisses* HH

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Jo 21/11/10 13:11

I would never ever have thought of using arugula as a pesto! I love the shot of the pizza and wishing I was having a slice already!

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Anonymous 21/11/10 13:47

Rememebr when pestos was just basil. This is definitely a great way to use arugula. The pizza also benifited for your version. Great!

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Priya Suresh 21/11/10 15:06

Very inviting penne and droolworthy pesto..yumm!

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Unknown 21/11/10 15:50

oh looks rustic and yum :)

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kitchen flavours 21/11/10 15:55

I have been dying to make pesto with pine nuts, I am however not able to find any pine nuts and have been looking for quite sometime now! Just to reconfirm, did you use walnuts or pine nuts for this?? Your pasta looks really good, would like to give this a try!

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Claudia 21/11/10 16:27

Love arugula pesto and the ways you are using it. Missing my arugula plants very much these days.

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Angie's Recipes 21/11/10 18:13

@kitchen flavours
Oops, I just noticed that I put pine nuts in the method. I used roasted WALNUTS. :-)) Thanks!
Angie

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Carol 21/11/10 20:02

I love arugula and never tried it in a pesto, and I know I would like it better than basil! Saving this one, thanks!

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A Canadian Foodie 21/11/10 20:04

The penne looks tasty; the pizza looks like a piece of art. WHOA! What gorgeous pizza... you are the bread and crust making master, so I am not surprised. What joy you must bring to your family every day they sit at your table.
:)
valerie

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Elisabeth 21/11/10 20:20

Angie-This whole wheat penne is so "out of this world" delicious. with the arugula pesto. I think I even prefer this to the basil pesto. Anything with arugula spells GOURMET, and your pizza with it is to "die for"
Thanks for sharing another fascinating, yummies!

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tasteofbeirut 21/11/10 20:56

I would love some of that pasta and also a couple slices of the pizza; with a good glass of wine, what could be better?

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whatsfordinneracrossstatelines 21/11/10 21:37

I like the pasta, but it's the pizza that really had me wanting to dive in! I love black olives on pizza and no one else in my house will eat it if I put them on! Now I know who I can share with. I like the arugula pesto too.
-Gina-

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Emily Z 21/11/10 23:04

Everything about this recipe sounds so healthy and delicious. The perfect combination!

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Joudie's Mood Food 21/11/10 23:04

Angie, the whole wheat pasta with fresh pesto is amazing! I am totally loving the Pizza too! Looks so full of flavour!

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Chef Dennis Littley 21/11/10 23:57

Arugula pesto sounds delicious....I used whole wheat pasta and whole wheat pizza dough for girls all week, I was surprised at how good it went over! Your pizza looks amazing!

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Monet 22/11/10 02:16

What a great idea! I know that the spicy arugula must add such a layer of flavor to these dishes. Your pasta and your pizza look AMAZING! Thank you for sharing. I hope you have a great week!

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Christine Ho 22/11/10 03:04

Lovely dishes. Your post just reminds me of my daughter's request to make her some pesto sauce. :)

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denise @ quickies on the dinner table 22/11/10 03:22

Oh my goodness! I want that plate of penne so much, it almost hurts!!! ;)

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Anonymous 22/11/10 03:46

This wholewheat penne sounds delicious with arugula pesto, wonderful nutty and refreshing flavors!

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TasteHongKong 22/11/10 04:08

A versatile pesto indeed, walnut again : )?

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Cindy 22/11/10 05:46

This looks so good!
I think I can devous the whole plate (maybe 2!) of pasta with that sauce!

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faithy 22/11/10 06:30

looks just like what's being served at a restaurant! Sooo mouthwatering! Lovely presentation as well!

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Nammi 22/11/10 07:55

yumm, both the pasta and pizza looks delicious

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Sanjeeta kk 22/11/10 09:22

Penne pasta look delicious, Angie. Lovely sauce and beautiful clicks.

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Joanne 22/11/10 12:47

I haven't ventured out into the bitter greens pesto much but I do adore arugula, so I know I'd love this!

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Unknown 22/11/10 14:30

I so love pesto...I have not met one I did not like! This looks wonderful!

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Faith 22/11/10 15:35

I absolutely love the peppery flavor of arugala...it must be fantastic made into pesto! Great ideas on how to use it!

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Sutapa 22/11/10 16:58

Argula pesto wow! I think it give right kind of peppery tang to make the pesto super delicious! Angie I love penne pasta but I can't resist seeing your pizza so I ordered one for dinner tonight though no match of what you have produced but it will help me to visualize and motivate me to make one very soon!

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Joy 22/11/10 17:27

I love this pesto recipe. I wouldn't think of using arugula.

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Rosa's Yummy Yums 22/11/10 17:37

I love whole wheat treats and arugula, so that pasta dish makes me salivate! A beautiful pizza.

Cheers,

Rosa

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Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking 22/11/10 17:44

I enjoy making all varieties of pesto SO much, but I've never heard of arugula pesto - That is brilliant! You are always turning me on to new flavors and ideas, Angie. Thank you for sharing yet another great one!

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Cheah 22/11/10 18:13

Both the pizza and the pasta look so delicious! Feel like pinching some pizza off right now!

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Barbara 22/11/10 18:29

The pizza looks marvelous! The pasta no doubt IS delicious, but it doesn't take the prettiest photos, does it? I made an eggplant pasta once and actually called my post "a very ugly pasta sauce".....but it sure was good!
I use all whole wheat pastas now. And the arugula is a super idea. Going to try that!

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Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets 22/11/10 22:35

I love your alternative to the traditional basil pesto. Just the thought of the peppery bite from arugula makes my mouth water.

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Juliana 22/11/10 23:29

Wow, what an interesting pesto with arugula...both the pasta and the pizza look delicious...I love pesto, but haven't had this one :-)

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A SPICY PERSPECTIVE 23/11/10 01:14

Fabulous pizza, Angie! What a nice twist!

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Anonymous 23/11/10 01:38

aragula pesto sounds super delicious.will try for sure. been away for a while now..feels gud to b back

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tigerfish 23/11/10 02:40

You are reminding me to try arugula! Yes, I have not tried it before and I know I am missing something.

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Savoring Italy 23/11/10 04:00

Gorgeous pasta and pizza Angie. Your pesto looks delicious and is healthy too:)

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Joyti 23/11/10 04:31

I just made a basil pesto with porcinis. Next time, I'm trying out your arugula version, 'cause I adore arugula. Plus, your photograph makes it look delicious.

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Tanantha @ I Just Love My Apron 23/11/10 07:29

Did you say arugular pesto?! omg this is ingenuis Angie! I will have to "borrow' this recipe soon!

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Cherine 23/11/10 09:35

Both the pasta and pizza looks delicious!
I love arugula and this pesto should be awesome!

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Susan: My Food Obsession 23/11/10 11:21

I love whole wheat pasta and who can go past a good pesto!

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La Bella Cooks 23/11/10 19:53

I think arugula pesto has completely taken over basil pesto on my list of favorites. I just need to eat more whole wheat pasta these days. This looks fantastic.

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Dimah 23/11/10 21:46

Both the pasta and pizza look fantastic!

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Chef E 23/11/10 22:56

I love arugula, so this would so be on my list to make! I almost never eat other greens without this mixed in lately...my skinny jeans will be shown soon! I am conquering the bulge very well lately!

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Brian Samuels Photography 26/11/10 14:51

What I love about arugula pesto is the slight pepperiness that comes from it. It is one of my favorite things to do with arugula and I'm so glad you featured it here in this whole wheat penne dish.

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Velva 28/11/10 01:33

I make traditional basil pesto and this year I took a leap and made a mint pesto to. An arugula pesto is indeed is another creative way to make pesto. Awesome!

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