Penne with Arugula Rocket
Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this vibrant and refreshing Penne with Arugula Rocket recipe. Perfectly al dente penne pasta is tossed in a fragrant garlic and extra virgin olive oil sauce, enhanced with the bright zest and tangy juice of fresh lemon. The peppery bite of arugula (rocket) adds a fresh, slightly spicy dimension, while grated Parmesan cheese melts seamlessly into the dish to create a creamy, savory finish. A sprinkle of optional red chili flakes lends a subtle heat for those who crave a little kick. Ready in just 25 minutes, this effortless pasta dish is light, flavorful, and ideal for busy evenings or casual entertaining. With its simple ingredients and bold flavors, Penne with Arugula Rocket is your go-to for a quick and satisfying meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams penne pasta
- 100 grams arugula (rocket)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 whole lemon (zested and juiced)
- 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 120 milliliters pasta cooking water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 120 milliliters (1/2 cup) of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. Finely chop the garlic cloves and zest and juice the lemon. Set these aside.
Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
If desired, stir in the red chili flakes for a bit of heat and cook for another 30 seconds.
Add the freshly cooked and drained penne pasta to the skillet with the garlic oil. Toss to coat.
Stir in the arugula (rocket) and cook for 1-2 minutes until it begins to wilt.
Pour in the reserved pasta cooking water, the lemon juice, and the lemon zest. Stir well to combine and allow the sauce to coat the pasta evenly.
Season the dish with salt and black pepper to taste. Toss again to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
Remove the skillet from the heat and mix in the grated Parmesan cheese. Toss the pasta until the cheese has melted and formed a creamy sauce.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your Penne with Arugula Rocket!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2059 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 65.2 g | 84% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.2 g | 81% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 50 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 3247 mg | 141% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 308.2 g | 112% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.6 g | 66% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.6 g | ||
| Protein | 74.2 g | 148% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 752 mg | 58% | |
| Iron | 16.7 mg | 93% | |
| Potassium | 1329 mg | 28% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
