Imagine a pasta recipe that's not just delicious, but also packed with nutrition and bursting with vibrant flavors. Our Healthy Sun Dried Tomato and Arugula Pasta is the ultimate culinary escape that will transport your taste buds to the sun-drenched hills of Italy while keeping your health goals on track. With a perfect balance of whole wheat pasta, zesty sun-dried tomatoes, and peppery arugula, this dish proves that healthy eating can be incredibly exciting and satisfying.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz whole wheat pasta
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups arugula
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add whole wheat pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- While pasta is cooking, prepare the sun dried tomatoes by finely chopping them into small, uniform pieces. If tomatoes are very dry, you can rehydrate them briefly in warm water for 2-3 minutes.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
- Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water. Transfer pasta directly to the skillet with garlic and olive oil.
- Add chopped sun dried tomatoes to the skillet and toss gently to combine, allowing the pasta to absorb the flavors for 1-2 minutes.
- If the pasta seems dry, add a small amount of reserved pasta water to create a light sauce.
- Remove skillet from heat and immediately fold in fresh arugula, which will slightly wilt from the residual heat.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss everything together until arugula is evenly distributed.
- Plate the pasta and generously sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
- Serve immediately while warm, garnishing with additional arugula leaves or Parmesan if desired.
Tips
- Pasta Water Magic: Always reserve a bit of pasta water before draining. This starchy liquid is a secret weapon for creating a silky, smooth sauce that helps ingredients cling perfectly to your pasta.
- Garlic Technique: When sautéing garlic, watch it carefully. Those 30-45 seconds are crucial - you want fragrant, golden notes, not bitter burnt garlic.
- Arugula Wilting Hack: Add arugula at the very end and let the residual heat gently wilt it. This preserves its bright color and prevents overcooking.
- Cheese Tip: Use freshly grated Parmesan for maximum flavor. Pre-grated cheese can't compare to the rich, complex taste of freshly grated cheese.
- Rehydration Trick: If your sun-dried tomatoes are particularly dry, a quick warm water bath will restore their plumpness and enhance their concentrated tomato flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 5mg
