Ingredients:
- 1 cup (225g) dried pasta (fusilli, bowtie, or penne work well)
- 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced
- ½ teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (or goat cheese)
- 2 large ripe peaches, sliced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh corn kernels (cut from the cob or frozen, thawed)
- 6 cups packed baby arugula
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). Drain the pasta, reserving a few tablespoons of the pasta water.
- Make the dressing: While the pasta cooks, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a small bowl.
- Assemble the salad: In a large serving bowl, toss the warm pasta with the dressing. Add a little reserved pasta water if needed to keep the pasta moist.
- Add remaining ingredients: Gently fold in the feta cheese, peaches, cherry tomatoes, and corn kernels.
- Final touches: Just before serving, add the arugula and toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown, then sprinkle them over the salad before serving.
- This salad is best served at room temperature or slightly chilled.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but the arugula may wilt.
The exact calorie count of a peach, tomato, corn, and arugula pasta salad will vary depending on the specific ingredients and serving size. However, we can estimate the calorie count by looking at the average calorie counts of the individual ingredients.
Here is a breakdown of the estimated calories per serving (about 1 cup):
- Pasta: 200 calories
- Peaches: 60 calories
- Tomatoes: 25 calories
- Corn: 80 calories
- Arugula: 5 calories
- Feta cheese: 75 calories
- Olive oil: 120 calories
- Lemon juice: 5 calories
Total estimated calories: 570 calories
