Cold Pasta with Arugula Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes – Easy Italian Recipe

Enjoy a refreshing cold pasta dish with arugula pesto and cherry tomatoes – a delightful Italian recipe for any occasion.

Introduction

Cold pasta with arugula pesto and cherry tomatoes is a simple, quick, and flavorful dish. The arugula pesto, with its slightly bitter and spicy notes, pairs perfectly with the sweetness of oven-roasted cherry tomatoes, which we chose to prepare in an air fryer to reduce cooking time and avoid heating the oven.

This vegetarian cold pasta recipe is one of those make-ahead meals that actually tastes better after a few hours in the fridge, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully. It’s perfect for a picnic or a seaside lunch, and it also serves excellently as a main dish for a family dinner. In summary, cold pasta with arugula pesto and cherry tomatoes is a must-have for the warm season… and why not, even all year round!

Explore these delicious first courses with arugula pesto:

• Pasta with arugula pesto and lemon with confit cherry tomatoes
• Pasta with arugula pesto, eggplant in oil, and stracciatella
• Pasta with arugula pesto and tuna
• Farfalle with salmon, snap peas, and confit cherry tomatoes

Ingredients

• 400g pasta of your choice
• 100g fresh arugula
• 50g pine nuts
• 50g grated Parmesan cheese
• 150ml olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh cherry tomatoes

Instructions

1. Start by preparing the arugula pesto. In a food processor, blend fresh arugula, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil until smooth. Add salt to taste.
2. Cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. Drain and cool under running water.
3. In the meantime, prepare the cherry tomatoes by placing them in the air fryer until they burst and become sweet.
4. Combine the cooled pasta with the arugula pesto, adjusting the consistency with a little reserved pasta water if necessary.
5. Add the roasted cherry tomatoes and mix gently. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Total Time

30 minutes

Cuisine

Italian