The BEST Arugula Salad with Parmesan & Pine Nuts (2024)

by Erin

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

This EASY Arugula SaladDressing recipe is made with just 5-simple ingredients – most of which you probably have on hand already! The slight sweetness of the dressing is a perfect match for peppery arugula.

The BEST Arugula Salad with Parmesan & Pine Nuts (1)

Jump To

Ingredients needed

How to make it

What to serve with arugula salad

More salad recipes

Arugula Salad Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Nutrition

This Arugula Salad dressing recipe is my go-to when I want a simple salad that pairs with a variety of dishes. The arugula has a nice peppery bite, but the dressing has a sweet taste that balances out the flavors perfectly.

I top off my salad with some shaved parmesan and toasted pine nuts for added crunch.

The dressing for this arugula salad couldn’t be easier to make. You only need five ingredients. Plus, it stores nicely in the fridge, so it’s great to keep on hand for dinners throughout the week. Often, I’ll make a double or triple batch just for that reason.

The BEST Arugula Salad with Parmesan & Pine Nuts (2)

Ingredients needed

There are just 5 ingredients in this delicious dressing for arugula salad:

  • Olive Oil – I like to use a good-quality extra virgin olive oil since the flavor really shines through.
  • Shallot – Or you can grate in a clove of garlic.
  • Red Wine Vinegar – Or swap in some fresh lemon juice or balsamic vinegar.
  • Honey – Maple syrup, sugar or agave will also work.
  • Dijon Mustard – Adds a nice tang. Feel free to leave it out or add in some whole grain mustard.

How to make it

  • To make the red wine vinaigrette, just add the ingredients to a small mason jar and shake well to emulsify. Or, you can add the ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine.
The BEST Arugula Salad with Parmesan & Pine Nuts (3)

What to serve with arugula salad

This Arugula Salad recipe pairs really nicely with rich, hearty meat dishes. It also pairs well with pasta. Here are some great dishes that go well with arugula salad:

  • Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
  • Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri
  • Caprese Tomato Risotto
  • Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
  • Easy Roasted Chicken
  • Roasted Fennel Pasta with Ricotta
The BEST Arugula Salad with Parmesan & Pine Nuts (4)

FAQ

Does arugula get soggy with dressing?

Yes. Arugula will become soggy when it sits with the dressing. That’s why it’s best to dress your salad just before serving.

Do you need to massage arugula?

No. Arugula is a tender green, so unlike kale, you do not need to massage arugula. It’s best to just gently toss it with the dressing.

Is it OK to cook arugula?

Yes! Arugula is delicious when added to soups or pasta dishes. Try swapping it in when a recipe calls for spinach.

The BEST Arugula Salad with Parmesan & Pine Nuts (5)

More salad recipes

  • Thai Beef Salad
  • Chicken Cobb Salad
  • Kale Caesar Salad

Did You Make This Arugula Salad Dressing Recipe?

If you loved this simple arugula salad dressing, I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished salad and share it with me onInstagramusing the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Looking for more ways to use arugula? Check out these 35+ arugula recipes too!

The BEST Arugula Salad with Parmesan & Pine Nuts (6)

Arugula Salad Recipe

This Arugula Saladrecipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acid in the vinaigrette. It’s the perfect salad for pairing with rich dishes.

5 from 35 votes

Print Pin

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 people

Created by Platings and Pairings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine the shallot, oil, vinegar, mustard, honey and salt and pepper in a small mason jar and shake to emulsify.

  • In a large bowl, toss the arugula with enough of the vinaigrette to just coat the leaves.

  • Season with additional salt and pepper and top with toasted pine nuts and parmesan.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 194kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 181mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 710IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1.1mg

This post was originally published in November 2014. It was updated in 2022 to revise the content, and again in 2023 to add new photographs. The arugula salad dressing recipe remains the same. Enjoy!

The BEST Arugula Salad with Parmesan & Pine Nuts (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Arielle Torp

Last Updated:

Views: 5525

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arielle Torp

Birthday: 1997-09-20

Address: 87313 Erdman Vista, North Dustinborough, WA 37563

Phone: +97216742823598

Job: Central Technology Officer

Hobby: Taekwondo, Macrame, Foreign language learning, Kite flying, Cooking, Skiing, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.