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Creamy Arugula Pasta Salad with Goat Cheese and Tomato

Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta Salad with Arugula and Tomato. A quick but impressive dish, perfect for summer barbecues or anytime you need a fast, healthy dinner!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 medium or 6 side salads
Calories: 275 kcal
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces whole-grain fusilli pasta or rotini pasta
  • 4 ounces goat cheese crumbled (about 2/3 cup)
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more if needed
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice plus more if needed
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 5 to 6 ounces baby arugula 5 to 6 packed cups
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes sliced into thin rounds
  • ⅓ cup pitted and thinly sliced Kalamata olives optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and pour it into a large serving bowl.
  2. Sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese over the pasta, then drizzle in the olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle the salt, red pepper flakes, and several twists of black pepper on top. Pour about 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water over the pasta and toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
  3. Add the arugula, cherry tomatoes, and olives (if using) and toss to combine. If the pasta seems dry, add small splashes of cooking water and toss until it’s nice and creamy. Taste and adjust if necessary—add more olive oil for richness, lemon juice for extra zing, and salt and/or pepper for seasoning. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • This salad is best consumed soon after making, but it keeps well, chilled, for 2 to 3 days. I like to gently reheat my leftover salad for just a few seconds in the microwave, which loosens up the goat cheese again.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1(of 6) Calories 275kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 33g (11%) Protein 9g (18%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 9mg (3%) Sodium 507mg (21%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 4g (8%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4medium or 6 side salads

Amount Per Serving

Calories 275

% Daily Value*

Serving 1(of 6)
Calories 275kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 33g 11%
Protein 9g 18%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Sodium 507mg 21%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 4g 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.