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Pasta with Arugula Purée and Cherry-Tomato Sauce

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Pasta with Arugula Purée and Cherry-Tomato Sauce

In this easy and hugely satisfying pasta dish, arugula is transformed from peppery leaf into powerhouse pesto.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    30 min

  • Yield

    Makes 4 main-course servings

Ingredients

For arugula purée

2

tablespoons pine nuts, lightly toasted and cooled

5

oz baby arugula, coarsely chopped (7 cups)

1

/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1

/2 oz finely grated Pecorino Romano

1

teaspoon salt

For cherry-tomato sauce

3

tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2

garlic cloves, crushed with side of a large knife

1

1/2 lb cherry tomatoes (about 5 cups), trimmed if necessary

3

/4 teaspoon salt

1

lb dried fettuccine (not made with egg)

Accompaniment: grated Pecorino Romano

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Make purée:

    Step 1

    Pulse pine nuts in a food processor until finely ground (be careful not to grind to a paste). Add arugula, oil, cheese, and salt and pulse until almost smooth.

  2. Make tomato sauce:

    Step 2

    Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook garlic, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Discard garlic. Add tomatoes and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are collapsed but not falling apart, 15 to 20 minutes.

  3. Cook and serve pasta:

    Step 3

    Cook fettuccine in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain pasta in a colander and return to pot. Add arugula purée and toss until well coated. Transfer to a platter or plates and top with tomato sauce.