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    Home » Recipes » Pasta Recipes

    Published: Nov 1, 2017 · Last update: May 30, 2020 by Paula Montenegro
    Income from ads and affiliate links2 Comments

    Jalapeño Tomato Arugula Pasta

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    Bowl with short pasta and tomatoes on wooden board, limes and jalapeño around

    This lime jalapeño tomato arugula pasta is definitely one of my favorite everyday recipes. And hopefully, it will become yours too.

    So easy to put together, with ingredients readily available, it is one of my go-to pasta recipes when I need a quick lunch or don't know what to cook at night.

    I grew up eating a lot of Italian food, so easy pasta dishes are abundant in my house. The traditional tomato basil combo is by far one of my favorites, with a lot of grated parmesan cheese on top, you can't go wrong.

    Sauteeing cherry tomatoes and onion on metal skillet

    That said, this one is a twist on that wonderful base recipe. As humble as it may sound, a few squeezes of lime can add a new dimension to a simple bowl of pasta. The spicy kick of fresh jalapeños, sauteed in olive oil with the onions, and the fresh peppery arugula round up a recipe that is easy to make and a crowd pleaser. How's that for hectic weekday nights?.

    About the type of pasta, there is really no wrong answer about which you can use. Any type works, even fresh homemade pasta. I love short dry penne or fusilli, by far my favorites when the sauce is not creamy. Long pasta such as spaghetti tends to separate too much from the tomato chunks and I end up eating all the ingredients separately. But that's me.

    White bowl with pasta and tomatoes, wooden board, white kitchen towel and table

    I love pasta bowls, so versatile, the type of dish that is even good reheated the next day. Yes, I believe reheated pasta is one of life's culinary pleasures, the don't-tell-anyone kind. I do make extras to have the next day, what can I say.

    Use any type of tomatoes, use more or fewer jalapeños or even add a dash of hot sauce if it suits you. But do make this amazing jalapeño lime tomato pasta bowl.

    Top view of short pasta and tomatoes in bowl, white table, lime wedges, jalapeño and basil

    Grated parmesan is your choice. I like it as is, but feel free to add a little.

     

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    white bowl with pasta and tomatoes on wooden board, white kitchen towel, squeezed limes

    Jalapeño Tomato Arugula Pasta

    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

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    Easy weekday pasta dish, spicy with jalapeños and balanced out with lime juice at the end.

    • Total Time: 35 minutes
    • Yield: 2 servings 1x

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 4 cups cooked penne pasta (or other of your choosing)
    • A few Tbs. olive oil
    • ½ to 1 fresh jalapeño (finely chopped (with seeds if you want it spicier))
    • 1 garlic clove (finely chopped)
    • 1 large shallot (finely chopped)
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
    • A few sprigs fresh thyme
    • Juice of 2 limes
    • A splash of white wine or sherry
    • A bunch of fresh arugula (sliced)
    • A bunch of fresh basil (chopped)
    • Lime zest to finish
    • Salt and freshly ground pepper

    Instructions

    1. Have all ingredients for the sauce ready.
    2. Cook pasta according to package directions.
    3. While it’s cooking, heat a few Tbs. olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
    4. Add garlic, shallot and jalapeño. Cook for a minute or two until softened.
    5. Add tomatoes, thyme, some salt and pepper. Cook for a few minutes until it begins to brown and tomatoes char a bit and release some juice.
    6. Add the juice of 1 lime and let evaporate. Add the splash of sherry or white wine and let evaporate again.
    7. If the pasta is cooked, drain in and add it to the skillet. (If it’s not cooked yet, take the skillet from the fire until you can add the pasta).
    8. Mix the pasta with the tomatoes for a few seconds and take out of the fire.
    9. Add the arugula, some of the basil and a splash fresh lime juice.
    10. Check seasonings and adjust.
    11. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil, freshly ground black pepper, a grating of lime zest if you want, and some chopped fresh basil.

    Notes

    This can be easily scaled for more people. Be sure your skillet is big enough.

    Add cooked chicken for a heartier meal.

    • Author: Paula Montenegro
    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Category: Main dish
    • Method: Cooking
    • Cuisine: Italian

    Keywords: jalapeño tomato pasta

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @vintagekitchenblog on Instagram and hashtag it #vintagekitchenblog

    adapted from La Tartine Gourmande cookbook, by Beatrice Peltre

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cat says

      October 05, 2021 at 11:34 pm

      I recently signed up for a farm share of fresh produce every week. This week I got jalapeños, tomatoes, arugula and basil so I made this recipe. I loved it! The flavors really sing. My only addition was red pepper flakes.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Paula Montenegro says

        October 06, 2021 at 7:50 am

        I love the idea of an extra kick with the pepper flakes Cat. Happy to hear you liked it so much! Have a great week.

        Reply

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    A baker for more than 30 years and your designated recipe finder, sharing the best ones on this blog, with simple ingredients + easy-to-follow instructions.

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