This easy peasy Arugula Salad is simple yet so delicious and pairs well with literally any meal. It takes 5 minutes to make and great for gatherings or casual weeknights served with pasta dishes, pizza, salmon and so many more!
I'm not kidding when I say I make this Arugula Salad more often than many of my salad recipes. It's one of those no-fuss green salads that can be served with literally any meal and still taste so good! Its similar to my rocket pear and parmesan salad except even more simple can you believe.
The base is made with arugula, also known as rocket or rucola and shaved parmesan cheese which are a classic combo in Italy, with a little crunch from the walnuts. This little trio with a light lemon dressing will leave your taste buds dancing! It's a restaurant quality dish that takes literally minutes to make. I love it with pasta dishes, pizza, and even seafood recipes to name a few.
Table of Contents
Recipe Highlights
- Quick & Easy: Simple ingredients to create a restaurant quality salad in minutes
- Crowd Pleaser: Peppery arugula, parmesan cheese and walnuts for the perfect balance of taste and texture everyone will be coming back for more
- Versatile: This salad can be served with anything - with pizza and pasta, grilled meats, seafood or your favorite family meals
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Arugula is the key ingredient in this salad, also known as rocket, roquette and rucola. It has a bold peppery flavor that makes it stand out. I prefer using baby arugula which are lighter in texture and flavor than wild arugula. While you can use other greens, there is no perfect substitute for the unique taste of fresh arugula
- Parmesan cheese aka Parmigiano Reggiano, adds a rich, salty finish to balance the argula and cut through the dressing. I always recommend buying a block and using either a cheese grater or veggie peeler to shave the parmesan. You can swap for Pecorino Romano cheese or Grana padano, however it will be a little milder in taste
- Walnuts are quickly toasted then chopped up to provide crunch and nutty flavor. Pecans or toasted pine nuts are great substitutions but are a little pricier
- Dressing is made easy with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice and salt and pepper. You can swap the lemon juice for a splash of balsamic vinegar if needed
How to make an Arugula Salad
This arugula salad comes together in no time for a simple, flavorful salad that everyone will love. Follow my easy steps below (note quantities are listed in the recipe card below)
Step 1: Toast walnuts in a pan over medium heat for a few minutes, tossing often. Let them cool before chopping
Step 2: Prepare the dressing by adding the ingredients to a small bowl or jar and whisking until combined
Step 3: Finely chop the toasted walnuts
Step 4: Shave parmesan cheese with a cheese grater
Step 5: Toss the arugula with the dressing until lightly coated. Gently use your hands to avoid bruising the leaves
Step 6: Finish the salad with the chopped walnuts and shaved parmesan, then serve and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Always wash and dry the arugula well with a salad spinner or clean towels to remove dirt and any sandy bits
- Add the dressing just before serving to keep the arugula crisp as the leaves will wilt straight away - I prefer quickly tossing with my hands before adding the other ingredients to ensure all the leaves are coated well
- Toast the walnuts for a few minutes to bring out their natural flavors and for extra crunch
- I always buy a block of parmesan and shave it myself for the best flavor, but if you're short on time you can use pre-shaved cheese
Storage Instructions
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh. You can store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for 1 day, however the arugula will soften and lose its crisp but will still taste great
- If needed, you can prepare the dressing separately and toss everything just before serving for freshest flavor
Serving Suggestions
This arugula salad recipe pairs well with everything! As its bright and fresh it complements anything from pizza, grilled meats, baked salmon or a hearty spinach lasagna. Its also great as a side with Italian dishes, like this pastina soup or caprese sandwich.
FAQs
Yes! Arugula is commonly enjoyed raw in salads, however its also a versatile leafy green that can be added to pizza, stirred into pasta, blended into pesto or layered into sandwiches for an extra punch of flavor
A light dressing made with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper is a classic choice for arugula salad. For even more flavor, whisk in a little dijon mustard and honey for subtle sweetness but I prefer a simple dressing
Of course. Pine nuts and pecans work well and provide a good crunch. Still toast them on a pan first to bring out their nutty flavors
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Arugula Salad:
More Easy Salads
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your photo on Instagram so I can share the love!
Recipe
Arugula Salad (Easy Peasy Recipe)
Video
Ingredients
- 5oz / 140g arugula (rocket) - I prefer baby arugula
- ¼ cup shaved parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup walnuts
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (approx ½ lemon)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the walnuts to a skillet and toast them over medium heat for a few minutes, tossing so they don't burn and allow them to cool
- In the meantime, wash the arugula leaves and dry them well through a salad spinner
- Add the dressing ingredients to a small bowl or jar and whisk to combine
- Finely chop up the walnuts and shave the parmesan cheese using a cheese grater or veggie peeler
- Add the arugula to a salad bowl and pour over the dressing. Lightly toss, I prefer to gently use my hands to coat them well without bruising the leaves
- Top the salad with the chopped walnuts and shaved parmesan and serve up your light and delicious Arugula Salad!
Notes
- Arugula - wash the arugula well and dry it completely using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towels to remove dirt, excess moisture and any gritty bits
- Dressing - hold off on adding the dressing until just before serving to keep the arugula crisp and fresh. I like to quickly toss the arugula with my hands first to make sure its evenly coated, then add the remaining ingredients
- Walnuts - toast nuts for a few minutes before adding them to the salad. This helps bring out their natural nutty flavor and adds extra crunch
- Parmesan cheese - I recommend to buy a block of parmesan and shave it yourself for the best flavor and texture. If you’re short on time, pre-shaved parmesan is a convenient option and still works well
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