Arugula Pesto Tonnarelli: A Fresh and Flavorful Italian Pasta Delight

Tonnarelli with Arugula Pesto

Category: Pasta
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pasta Water: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil for cooking the pasta. While waiting for the water to come to a boil, start preparing the pesto.

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2. Make the Pesto:

   • Wash and dry the arugula leaves thoroughly. Place the arugula in a food processor.
   • Add the pine nuts, garlic, Grana Padano cheese, and a pinch of fine salt to the food processor.
   • Pulse the mixture until it starts to combine. Gradually add the extra virgin olive oil, a little at a time, blending until the pesto reaches a creamy consistency. Adjust the olive oil if necessary to achieve the desired texture.

3. Cook the Pasta:

   • Once the water is boiling, add the egg spaghetti alla chitarra and cook it until al dente, which should take about 8-10 minutes depending on the thickness of the pasta. Be sure to keep an eye on the pasta and test it for doneness as you approach the cooking time.

4. Combine Pasta and Pesto:

   • Before draining the pasta, scoop out a small ladle of the pasta cooking water and set it aside.
   • Drain the pasta and immediately toss it into the arugula pesto, adding the reserved pasta water a little at a time. Stir everything together over medium heat for about 1-2 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb the pesto and become perfectly coated.

5. Serve: Once the pasta is well-coated with the pesto, remove it from the heat and serve immediately. Top with extra Grana Padano cheese if desired for an extra touch of flavor.

Your Tonnarelli with Arugula Pesto is now ready to be enjoyed! This dish combines the earthy, peppery flavor of fresh arugula with the richness of pine nuts and Grana Padano, creating a simple yet flavorful pasta that’s perfect for any occasion.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

This vibrant and creamy pesto pasta makes for an exquisite yet easy-to-make dish that celebrates the rich flavors of Italian cuisine. Enjoy this as a light main course or as part of a larger meal!