Arugula Salad with Parmesan, Lemon, and Olive Oil

This arugula salad with lemon, parmesan, and olive oil is one of my favorite simple meals. You only need 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to make a salad that can be served for lunch or dinner. This workhorse of a salad can impress a guest, elevate date night, or create a satisfying dinner on a busy weeknight! Serve it with steak, seafood, pizza, or an antipasto platter.

Simple recipes with fresh ingredients can be the most satisfying. Sometimes, good food doesn’t need a ton of ingredients or special techniques. The baby arugula is bold and peppery while simultaneously being tender and delicate. It’s a perfect way to add leafy greens to your diet.

I put this simple arugula salad on a pedestal next to Caprese salad. And, by the way, they are delicious when paired! It’s not fussy or complicated and only takes a few minutes to prepare. 

The pairings for serving this simple salad seem endless. It makes a great, casual salad without heavy ingredients and can. Serve it on special occasions or make it for family dinner. Serve it to guests, prepare it on date night, or even make it for a special Valentine’s Day dinner. 

After you make this simple salad a time or two, you’ll have the easy recipe memorized.

Ingredients

• I typically buy a container of pre-washed baby arugula for making this salad. It makes it so easy to put together! Arugula is also easy to grow! If you have a space to garden, consider adding arugula to your growing plans. I’ve tried making this salad with the spinach and arugula mixes, and it is not as good. The spinach doesn’t hold up as well with the lemon and olive oil.
• Parmesan cheese adds a cheesy, nutty, salty, robust, savory, umami burst. Use a wedge of parmesan and shave pieces of it with a vegetable peeler. The big pieces of parmesan cheese are essential to this salad. They add texture and are fresh, aromatic, and flavorful.
• Fresh squeezed lemon juice is essential to this salad. I do not recommend using bottled lemon juice. When the ingredients are this few and simple, they must be high quality.
• Extra virgin olive oil helps form the dressing, adds a pleasant flavor, and balances the bold flavors of lemon and arugula. Use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil. 
• Salt & pepper enhance the flavors and make this mouthwatering salad even better.
• Balsamic glaze is totally optional. A drizzle of it on top adds an extra oomph! If you have some on hand, use it. If not, it’s totally ok to skip. I always use my homemade Glaze with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. You can also buy it in the grocery store with vinegar. 

Variations

• Add toasted nuts such as pine nuts or walnuts.
• Sprinkle with candied pecans.
• Top with grilled chicken to make it a meal.

How to Make this Simple Arugula Salad

Use a vegetable peeler to shave pieces off of a wedge of parmesan cheese. Then, set them aside.

Add the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a large bowl. Then add the arugula and toss to combine.

Add the shaved parmesan and toss to combine.

Drizzle with the balsamic glaze (if using) and serve.

Yum!

What to Serve with Arugula Salad

This simple arugula salad is quick, easy, and versatile. It works just as well for a quick weeknight dinner or lunch salad as it does for a fancy dinner! It is perfect when you want to impress your guests or a date. I love serving it for date night with steak or seafood. Some of my favorite ways to serve this salad are:

• Serve this simple arugula salad with a pan-seared steak and balsamic glaze.
• Serve it as a side dish for pesto tortellini.
• A quick lunch topped with grilled chicken or leftover chicken. Or with a sandwich.
• As part of an antipasto course with any Italian dinner.
• A quick salad to go with pizza or wings.
• An easy weeknight dinner side.
• Make an antipasto spread with Caprese salad, marinated olives, and bruschetta or crostini.

More Delicious Salads

• Strawberry, Spinach, and Goat Cheese Salad
• Spicy Salmon Salad
• Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
• Kale & Tahini Salad

What’s your favorite way to serve arugula salad? Let me know in the comments below!

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