Description
A simple and flavorful linguine pasta dish featuring fresh arugula, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, tossed in olive oil and brightened with a squeeze of lemon juice. This easy recipe is perfect for a quick, elegant meal that balances peppery greens with savory cheese and bright citrus.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces Linguine
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 4 cups Fresh Arugula
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
Dairy
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
Oils and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt, to taste
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper, freshly ground
- 0.5 Lemon, juiced
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the linguine and cook according to package instructions, typically 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente.
- Prepare arugula and garlic: While pasta cooks, rinse the fresh arugula under cold water and drain well. Mince the garlic cloves.
- Heat olive oil: In a large skillet, warm 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat for about a minute.
- Sauté garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding browning.
- Cook arugula: Add the arugula to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
- Drain pasta: Once linguine is cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water and drain the pasta in a colander.
- Combine pasta and arugula: Add drained linguine to the skillet with arugula and garlic, tossing to combine.
- Adjust moisture: If the pasta is dry, add reserved pasta water gradually to reach desired consistency.
- Add Parmesan: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese gently to allow it to melt slightly.
- Season: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Add lemon juice: Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the pasta and stir to blend flavors.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and black pepper.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting texture.
- Be careful not to overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness.
- Reserved pasta water helps create a silky sauce that coats the linguine perfectly.
- Adjust seasoning and lemon juice to your taste preference.
- Serve the dish immediately to enjoy the optimal texture and flavor.