Arugula Pasta Caesar Salad (Printable)

Peppery arugula and al dente pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes, croutons and a creamy Caesar dressing.

# What you'll need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz short pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)
02 - Salt, for pasta water

→ Salad

03 - 4 cups fresh arugula, washed and dried
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
06 - 1 cup homemade or store-bought croutons

→ Caesar Dressing

07 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
10 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
11 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
12 - 1 garlic clove, minced
13 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
14 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain through a colander and rinse briefly under cold running water to halt cooking and cool the pasta completely.
02 - While the pasta cooks, combine the mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and olive oil in a mixing bowl. Whisk vigorously until smooth and emulsified. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
03 - In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta, arugula, halved cherry tomatoes, and croutons. Toss gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
04 - Drizzle the Caesar dressing over the salad and toss gently until every component is evenly coated. Finish with shaved Parmesan cheese on top and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • That peppery bite from fresh arugula paired with creamy Caesar dressing is the kind of contrast that makes you go back for thirds without realizing it.
  • It comes together in the time it takes to boil pasta, which means weeknight dinner is solved with almost zero stress.
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta under cold water is not optional here because warm pasta will wilt the arugula into a sad, soggy mess within minutes.
  • Adding one teaspoon of anchovy paste to the dressing transforms it into a deeply authentic Caesar flavor that most people will not consciously identify but will absolutely notice.
03 -
  • Let the dressing sit for ten minutes before using it, because the garlic and mustard need a little time to bloom and meld together into something far more flavorful than when first mixed.
  • Homemade croutons made from day old bread cubes toasted in olive oil are so superior to store bought that once you try them you will never go back.

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