Linguine Arugula Pesto (Print Version)

Vibrant linguine in a fresh, peppery arugula pesto. Bright, creamy, and nut-free, enriched with cottage cheese for protein.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz linguine
02 - Salt for pasta water

→ Arugula Pesto

03 - 3 cups loosely packed fresh arugula
04 - 2/3 cup cottage cheese
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1 garlic clove
07 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
08 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
09 - 1/4 tsp salt, more to taste
10 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ To Serve

11 - Extra arugula leaves for garnish
12 - Additional grated Parmesan for topping
13 - Freshly ground black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
02 - In a food processor, combine arugula, cottage cheese, Parmesan, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Adjust seasoning to taste.
03 - Return the drained linguine to the pot. Add the arugula pesto and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
04 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra arugula, more grated Parmesan, and a twist of black pepper.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • No pine nuts required and your wallet will thank you
  • The cottage cheese creates this silky texture that clings to every strand
  • Ready in about 25 minutes from start to finish
02 -
  • The pesto thickens quickly as it sits so those splashes of pasta water are crucial for that restaurant quality consistency
  • Cottage cheese can vary in moisture content so taste and adjust salt accordingly before blending
03 -
  • Toast the pasta in the dry pan for 2 minutes before adding water to give it a nutty depth
  • Add a handful of fresh basil leaves if you want to bridge the gap between traditional and this version
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