Arugula Walnut Pesto and Sundried Tomato Pasta

I have the worst luck with mail. Yes, I have another story and this time, it’s even more of a shocker. Like, I cannot believe this even happened.

My friend, Kristan, and many of you know her as the talented Cookbook Queen, was selling a bunch of baby girl clothes since Lucy has grown out of them, with some that she’s never even worn! She said that there was probably $500 worth of clothes but selling them to me for way less. I was sold. One of my friends is having a baby girl in October and her style is the same as how Kristan dressed Lucy. Kristan shipped this 17 pound box of baby clothes to me two Friday’s ago. This past Wednesday, I started to wonder where it was since she didn’t live *that* far from me. I didn’t want it to seem like I didn’t trust Kristan so I gave it a couple more days before asking Kristan for the tracking number. On Friday, I asked Kristan the tracking number and she said she was surprised I hadn’t gotten it yet. I typed in the tracking number into UPS and lo-and-behold, it said it was delivered on Tuesday and it was left in front of the garage (where our packages are usually left). Well, obviously we didn’t get it and we’re not that blind – we would’ve seen a big box! Then it hit me. Guess what else comes on Tuesdays and guess what is also by our garage on Tuesdays? TRASH. YUP, THE TRASH PEOPLE TOOK THE 17 POUND BOX AND TRASHED IT THINKING IT WAS TRASH.

Can you believe that?! There’s no way it was delivered to anyone else in our neighborhood ’cause the UPS guys know us well and I would think our neighbors would be kind enough to bring our package over.

1. This royally sucks because no one will assume responsibility. UPS did their job of delivering it (which, they really need to deliver our packages to our front door and not by our garage) and the trash people will just say “we didn’t throw away a box” or “it was next to the trash can so we assumed it was trash.” I mean, it was a huge box, unopened. Why would you throw it away?? I mean, I totally get it because if it was sitting next to the trashcan, then it would look like trash.
2. I wasted money and now I’ll never get to see those adorable clothes and my friend won’t be able to put those clothes to use.

So frustrating, huh? Like, what are the chances of this happening? Probably slim to none but it’s me, so of course it’d happen! *sigh*

At least this arugula walnut pesto and sundried tomato pasta doesn’t require too much TLC. The arugula walnut pesto can be made in advance (which really takes all of 5 minutes) and then cooking the pasta is about 7 minutes and bam – you’ve gotten dinner in less than 15 minutes. How perfect, right? I just love the colors of this dish. It’s so vibrant and it’s packed with flavor. This won’t disappoint you like the mailing system has disappointed me lately ;)

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Arugula Walnut Pesto and Sundried Tomato Pasta

This arugula walnut pesto and sundried tomato pasta is so vibrantly colored and can be put together in less than 15 minutes!

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 20 mins

Servings (adjustable, but please note that results, timing, and cookware may vary when adjusting servings): 4 servings

Calories: 1018kcal

Author: Julie Chiou

Ingredients

• ▢ 11 oz baby arugula
• ▢ 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• ▢ 2/3 cups walnuts
• ▢ 1 tsp salt
• ▢ 1 tsp black pepper
• ▢ 1 1/3 cup olive oil
• ▢ 3-4 tbsp sundried tomatoes
• ▢ 1 pound dried spaghetti

Instructions

• ▢
  In the bowl of a food processor, add arugula (in batches), parmesan, walnuts, salt, and black pepper. Turn the food processor on high and drizzle in olive oil through the feed tube until everything is combined. Remove blade from food processor and using a spatula, scrape out the pesto and store it in an airtight container or what I like to do is store it in mason jars.
• ▢
  In a large stock pot, bring water to a boil then add pasta and cook according to the instructions on the back of the box. Drain pasta well, reserving 1 cup of pasta water. In a large bowl, add the pasta and 4 tbsp. of the arugula walnut pesto to the pasta. Toss gently until all is combined. If mixture looks too thick, pour a little bit of pasta water on top, 1 tbsp. at a time. You probably will not use all of the pasta water. Toss the sundried tomatoes in with the pasta and add more pesto, if needed.
• ▢
  Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top prior to serving.
• ▢
  Keep pesto in fridge in an airtight container for up to two months and keep pasta in fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Notes

This makes a lot of arugula pesto but I like making a lot at one time because I store them in mason jars and keep the in the fridge for quick and easy meals on the weekdays after work. It keeps for a good couple months so it's nice to have it on hand!

Nutrition Facts

Arugula Walnut Pesto and Sundried Tomato Pasta

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 1018 Calories from Fat 864

% Daily Value*

Fat 96g148%

Carbohydrates 24g8%

Fiber 5g20%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 18g36%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate"