If you’ve ever found yourself with a handful of leftover arugula or herbs (I think we have all been there!) and wondered what to do with them, this Arugula Pesto recipe is for you. Instead of letting those greens go to waste, turn them into a vibrant and flavorful pesto.

It's a simple way to use up what you have on hand while creating a versatile sauce perfect for pasta, sandwiches, pizza, vegetables, chicken, and more. Plus, making pesto from scratch is quicker and easier than you might think!

Keep reading to learn how to make this 10 minute pesto recipe.

What ingredients do I need for this arugula pesto?

The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility—you don’t need specific ingredients. When I make pesto, I simply use whatever leafy greens or herbs I have available. I also skip the exact measurements, tasting and adjusting as I go. Feel free to get creative and customize the recipe to suit your taste or make the most of what’s in your fridge!

That being said, here are the ingredients I used to make this arugula pesto:

• 2 cups Arugula - tightly packed (or about half of a 5 oz container)
• 1 cup Fresh Herbs - loosely packed; I used a mix of basil, parsley, and mint
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 1/3 cup Pine Nuts
• 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
• 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
• 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Suggestions for modifying this pesto recipe

As I mentioned, this recipe is extremely flexible and is a great way to use up leftover ingredients.

What other greens work instead (or in addition) to the arugula?

• Spinach
• Kale (I suggest massaging the kale first unless you are using baby kale)

Do I need to use pine nuts?

Nope! Here are some suggestions for swapping out the pine nuts:

• Walnuts
• Almonds
• Cashews
• Pistachios
• Hazelnuts
• Sunflower Seeds
• Pumpkin Seeds

How do I make this arugula pesto?

1. Add all ingredients except the olive oil to a food processor. Pulse several times until the ingredients are chopped.
2. With the food processor running, drizzle in the olive oil slowly. Run the food processor until the ingredients are smooth and emulsified. Scrape the pesto down from the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula if needed.
3. Taste the pesto and adjust the ingredients as needed. You don't need to measure the ingredients very precisely for this recipe. Modify until you have your desired taste and consistency!

What should I serve this pesto with?

Pesto is incredibly versatile and can be served in a large variety of ways. Here are some suggestions!

1. Pasta - simply toss the pesto with your favorite pasta. Cook the pasta while you prepare the pesto, and dinner will be ready in minutes! I especially enjoy pesto with fusilli pasta because the pesto has a lot of surface area to cling to on this spirally shape.
2. Pizza - swap out tomato sauce for pesto for a fun twist.
3. Sandwiches - use pesto as a spread on your favorite sandwich.
4. Eggs - drizzle pesto over eggs. Grab some crusty bread to go with it!
5. Vegetables - toss roasted or grilled vegetables with the pesto.
6. Chicken - drizzle pesto over some cooked chicken for an instant burst of flavor.

Try out this arugula pesto in these recipes!

Orzo

Whipped Ricotta Lemon Orzo with Chicken Meatballs and Pesto

30 Minutes or Less

One Pan Pesto Caprese Orzo

One Pot

Pesto Orzo White Bean Soup

30 Minutes or Less

One Pan 5 Ingredient Pesto Orzo

Did you try this 10 Minute Arugula Pesto recipe? Leave a Review!

If you try this recipe, feel free to rate/leave a review. You can also tag me on Instagram or TikTok!