This healthy sun dried tomato and arugula pasta is quick, easy, and loaded with whole grain pasta, balsamic vinegar, sun dried tomatoes, garlic, parmesan, feta, arugula, and optional bacon!
Ingredients
- Pine nuts add a GREAT crunch and toasty flavor. Feel free to use another nut like pecans or cashews for a more budget friendly option.
- Rotini. Use whole wheat or protein plus pasta to up the nutritional value. If rotini isn’t your jam, try another shape of pasta!
- Bacon (optional) adds crunch and smokiness. To lighten things up, try turkey bacon! Feel free to omit if you’re looking for a vegetarian option.
- Balsamic vinegar and oil make our dressing for today’s pasta. Very light, yet zippy!
- Sun dried tomatoes. I prefer sun dried tomatoes over fresh, because they’re always in season! Plus, I LOVE the chewy texture and sweet flavor.
- Capers. A little goes a long way. These add a nice brine-y flavor. That being said, feel free to omit if capers aren’t your thing.
- Garlic adds flavor. Add as much or as little as you like!
- Salt and pepper are the only seasonings you need for this flavor bomb of a recipe!
- Shaved parmesan adds a great salty flavor.
- Crumbled feta adds tang and creaminess.
- Baby arugula. I love the pepperiness of arugula and I like the “baby” variety for a more pleasant texture! If you can’t find baby arugula, try roughly chopping “regular” arugula.
How to make sun dried tomato and arugula pasta
- Cook pasta to al dente according to box directions.
- Toast pine nuts on an unlined baking sheet.
- Optional: cook bacon until crispy using desired method (stovetop, oven, or microwave).
- Place toasted pine nuts, cooked pasta, optional bacon, vinegar, oil, tomatoes, capers, garlic, salt, pepper, parmesan, feta, and arugula into a very large bowl. Toss to combine.
- Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled!
What to serve with pasta
- Pear, Blue Cheese, and Candied Pecan Salad
- Whole grain rolls
Variations
- To make budget friendly: use toasted cashews or pecans instead of pine nuts
- To make vegetarian: omit bacon (and maybe try adding chickpeas to bulk it up)
- To make vegan: omit bacon, parmesan, and feta (and maybe try adding chickpeas to bulk it up)
- To make gluten free: use gluten free rotini
- To bulk it up, serve with grilled chicken!
How to store
Store completely cooled pasta in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Eat leftovers chilled, room temperature, or re-warmed in the microwave. If you’re reheating in the microwave, you may need to add additional salt, cheese, a splash of water, and balsamic vinegar to revive it!
– Jennifer
Healthy Sun Dried Tomato and Arugula Pasta
This healthy sun dried tomato and arugula pasta is quick, easy, and loaded with whole grain pasta, balsamic vinegar, sun dried tomatoes, garlic, parmesan, feta, arugula, and optional bacon!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 6 people
Equipment for this recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 (2 oz) bag pine nuts
- 1 (12 - 14 oz) box whole wheat rotini cooked according to package directions
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled (optional)
- 6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sun dried tomato oil
- 1 (7 oz) jar sun dried tomatoes drained and diced
- 2 tbsp capers drained
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- salt and pepper to taste (I used 1 teaspoon salt)
- 2 tablespoons shaved parmesan
- 2 tablespoons crumbled feta
- 1 (5 oz) container baby arugula roughly chopped
Recipe Video
Instructions
Toasted Pine Nuts
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place pine nuts onto an unlined baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown. Watch carefully as they burn.
Pasta
- Place all ingredients into a large bowl.
- Toss to combine.
- Taste and re-season, if necessary.
- Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled.
- Take 5 seconds to either rate this recipe below and/or PIN it. We greatly appreciate it!
STORING
Room Temp:N/A
Refrigerator:3-5 Days
Freezer:1-2 Months
Reheat:If frozen, thaw in fridge then microwave or heat on stove
*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Healthy Sun Dried Tomato and Arugula Pasta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 513 Calories from Fat 189
% Daily Value*
Fat 21g32%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 23mg8%
Sodium 529mg23%
Potassium 1416mg40%
Carbohydrates 64g21%
Fiber 10g42%
Sugar 17g19%
Protein 20g40%
Vitamin A 975IU20%
Vitamin C 22mg27%
Calcium 171mg17%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
Keywords: fresh, healthy, whole wheat rotini