Simple Italian Arugula Blueberry Pastina Salad Recipe
Taking classic Italian flavors and elevating them into one incredible salad! Peppery arugula meets juicy blueberries, creamy ciliegine mozzarella, tender pastina pasta, and a medley of basil and Italian seasoning, all tied together with the most irresistible parmesan vinaigrette.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: ~4-6 side salads
- Category: game day foods, healthy salad, italian salad, meal prep, pasta salad, pastina, salad, side dishes, vinaigrette
- Method: no cook
- Cuisine: game day foods, healthy salad, italian salad, meal prep, pasta salad, pastina, salad, side dishes, vinaigrette
Ingredients
Salad
- 7 ounces of baby arugula
- 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
- 20-25 fresh ciliegine mozzarella balls
- 3 teaspoons Chupacabra Italian Seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups cooked and cooled pastina (1/3 cup dried cooked per package directions)
- 15-25 fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- Parmesan Vinaigrette (you will have extra)
Parmesan Vinaigrette
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 2 Tablespoons Chupacabra Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
Instructions
Make the Parmesan Vinaigrette
- Add all the ingredients to a 4-cup food processor and process until the vinaigrette is smooth and emulsified—taste for seasoning. Transfer to a lidded jar and refrigerate until ready to use.
Make the Salad
- Add half of the arugula to a large bowl. Sprinkle on half of the blueberries, ciliegine mozzarella balls, 1.5 teaspoons of the Chupacabra Italian Seasoning, half of the cooked pastina, and half of the basil leaves. Sprinkle over half of the Parmesan cheese.
- Add another layer by repeating the previous step. Right before serving, shake the Parmesan vinaigrette well and pour some of it over the top of the salad, reserving the rest for others to add more if they desire.