With its peppery bite and vibrant green hue, aromatic arugula transforms everyday dishes into something memorable, pairing beautifully with everything from citrus, stone fruit, and nuts to roasted veggies, beans, and grains. In this collection of scrumptious arugula recipes, you’ll find quick salads, grain bowls, mouthwatering bruschetta, pizza, pasta, an arugula smoothie, and lots more. Let arugula up your game in the kitchen!
Arugula vs. rocket: In some regions of the world, including the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, arugula is known as rocket or roquette. In Italy, it’s often called rucola. Other names include salad rocket and garden rocket.
In these Mediterranean-style open-faced burgers, crispy chickpea patties are given a major flavor boost from sautéed onions, sweet bell peppers, and homemade roasted red pepper hummus. The intricate flavor of arugula dressed with lemon juice complements this mix perfectly. Serve with red onion and red bell pepper slices to finish.
“These were amazing! I made them once as described.” —Alayna
Ready in just 30 minutes, this luscious linguine with mushroom pesto offers lots to love. While traditional pesto features dairy, this umami-rich vegan sauce is made by blending sautéed mushrooms with basil, garlic, and walnuts, resulting in a thicker, chunkier texture. Toss it with some hearty whole wheat linguine and finish with a mix of lemony white beans and arugula.
“Lovely recipe, delicious, quick and easy!” —Julie
Looking for a morning pick-me-up for a midafternoon snack? Get a boost with this green-powered smoothie. Peaches, banana, and plant-based milk complement the sharp arugula flavor to achieve a tasty balance. You can use fresh or frozen peaches. Serve it in a glass or bowl and top with peach slices, raspberries, pistachios, and walnuts.
Plump blueberries and grilled peaches take the lead in this memorable summer salad that’s hearty enough to be a main meal and pretty enough to bring to a potluck. A lemon Dijon mustard dressing coats every forkful with bright flavor, and arugula adds depth without overpowering the other flavors. Whole grain pasta provides staying power; if you want even more protein, add a can of white beans, rinsed and drained.
This quick 35-minute chilled noodle bowl is ideal for warm days. A vibrant parsley-mint dressing complements sweet peas, salty olives, and an array of crisp vegetables, including leafy arugula, creating a cafe-quality meal you’ll want to share with friends.
Caponata, a Sicilian dish with eggplant, onions, tomatoes, and vinegar, makes an excellent knife-and-fork-pizza topping. Slather a whole wheat crust with mashed butter beans, then spoon on the saucy mix. After baking, a sprinkling of fresh arugula adds pep and freshness to the dish. Buon appetito!
These festive butternut squash rounds are perfect as a holiday centerpiece. Filled with a delicious mixture of French green lentils, quinoa, arugula, pecans, dried apricots, and cherries, the dish gains herbaceous depth from fresh sage, thyme, and parsley. A savory gravy is drizzled over the top to finish the dish.
“Great flavors. The bitter arugula, the crunch of the pecans, the sweet pop from the dried fruit add layers of flavor
These verdant bowls from plant-based dietitian Sharon Palmer combine the heartiness of sorghum and white beans with an array of refreshing green vegetables, including creamy avocado, crisp cucumbers, delicate asparagus, and fragrant arugula. To finish, drizzle with some homemade Green Goddess Dressing and scatter with pumpkin seeds.
“This salad is so fresh!” —Meg
This salad features a base of lettuce and arugula, enhanced by fresh mint. The salad has crunchy radishes, sweet strawberries, and crisp cucumber, dotted throughout, and a creamy dressing with a hint of lemon brings all the elements together.
Perfect for gatherings, this elegant grilled asparagus salad is texturally rich. Charred asparagus and red onion combine with tangy apricots, juicy tomatoes, and nutty almonds, all of which get served over arugula and chilled cooked farro. (Brown rice or quinoa would also work well.) Roasted garlic gives the balsamic-maple dressing a decadent flavor, finishing things off perfectly!
This party-worthy salad combines arugula, Belgian endive, and radicchio for a colorful leafy base. Toasted walnuts provide a nutty crunch, while quick-pickled onions add a bright tanginess that complements the slightly bitter greens. Perfect as a side, this stunning salad is ideal for taking to a potluck.
An ideal accompaniment for any summer meal, this stunning arugula salad takes the juicy goodness of fresh peaches to new heights. Some peach wedges remain raw, offering a burst of fresh flavor, while others are caramelized on the grill. Aromatic sprigs of fresh rosemary are interspersed throughout, and a zesty lime vinaigrette finishes it perfectly.
“Nutritious, easy to prepare.” —Cecilia
This nutrient-packed kasha salad is a perfect balance of hearty and fresh. Steamed squash and earthy buckwheat provide a satisfying base, while juicy tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a zesty citrus dressing brighten every bite. Serve over a bed of arugula and spinach and garnish with pumpkin seeds. Enjoy as a side dish or main meal served warm or chilled.
“So yum.” —Sharon
Vibrant jerk-seasoned plantain chips bring bold Caribbean flavor to this delicious tropical salad, which is satisfying without being too heavy. Air-fried for a crispy finish, the plantains pair with juicy pineapple, creamy avocado, and crunchy bell peppers to mouthwatering effect. A zesty pineapple dressing—oil-free or with a touch of richness, your choice—ties it all together.
For a memorable side dish at your next barbecue, try this quick and refreshing salad featuring asparagus ribbons, orange segments, peppery arugula, hearty white beans, and briny olives. A creamy citrus-tahini dressing brings it together. (Be sure to hold off adding the dressing until just before serving; it can cause the asparagus to discolor if left too long.)
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