Authentic home cooking from Italy, with US measurements.

Originally published on Cookpad Italy as Pasta al forno al pesto di rucola

Baked Pasta with Arugula Pesto

Name: Baked Pasta with Arugula Pesto
Total time: 2400 s
Yield: Serves 5-6 servings
Ingredients: 14 oz pasta (about 400 grams); 1/3 cup arugula pesto (about 80 grams); 2 cups light express sauce (béchamel-style) (about 500 ml); 4 oz smoked salmon (about 120 grams); 2 balls mozzarella cheese; 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; Salt, to taste

Francesca @Francesca

Hi everyone! Today I’m sharing a super flavorful baked pasta, thanks to smoked salmon and arugula pesto, which brings both delicate and bold flavors. Everything is brought together with a light, almost calorie-free béchamel-style sauce and melty mozzarella. My guests said it’s even better than the original, and I have to agree—it was a big hit! That’s why I’m confident recommending this as an alternative to classic baked pasta. Give it a try and see for yourself!

P.S.: For this baked pasta, I used my own recipes for arugula pesto and light express sauce. I’ve included the links in the dish description. Of course, you can use basil pesto or classic béchamel if you prefer.

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Ingredients

40 minutes

Serves 5-6 servings

14 ozpasta (about 400 grams)
1/3 cuparugula pesto (about 80 grams)
2 cupslight express sauce (béchamel-style) (about 500 ml)
4 ozsmoked salmon (about 120 grams)
2balls mozzarella cheese
4 tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil
Salt, to taste

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Steps

40 minutes

1

Sauté the onion in olive oil, then add the smoked salmon and cook for 1-2 minutes.
2

Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil, add salt, and cook the pasta. Once cooked, drain and cool it.
3

Toss the pasta with the arugula pesto. Https://cookpad.com/it/ricette/13601889-pesto-alla-rucola?invite_token=wi9Kbuo8FW3h8cDJ8UBubZsJ6shared_at=1599855470
4

Mix in the light express sauce to help bind everything together. Https://cookpad.com/it/ricette/13601890-salsa-espressa-acqua-e-maizena-tipo-besciamella-ma-super-light?invite_token=AbkefHXoNSMmm8LsifUuZNoU6shared_at=1599855496
5

Now assemble the dish. In a nonstick baking dish, make a layer of pasta, then add smoked salmon and mozzarella, and top with the remaining pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake at 350°F (180°C) for about 30 minutes.
6

When done, the top should be nicely golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before cutting, so it sets and doesn’t fall apart.
7

I recommend serving it hot with the mozzarella nice and melty. If you have leftovers, it’s delicious the next day too! Enjoy!

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Francesca @Francesca

Published in the US on August 14, 2025 14:01

Amo cucinare qualsiasi pietanza, mi piace creare e sperimentare, a dire il vero ho fatto grandi casini in passato.. ma l'esperienza premia e adesso i risultati mi sorprendono sempre e, cosa che mi fa più piacere, sorprendono gli altri. Cucino per me e per la mia famiglia piatti leggeri, light.. ma non ci facciamo mancare qualche strappo alla regola.. magari il sabato sera o invitando qualche amico.. soprattutto parlando di dolci, che adoriamo fare e soprattutto mangiare 😋😋😋😋😋.. se vi fa piacere seguitemi nella mia cucina e divertiamoci insieme 👩🏻‍🍳🤩😍❤💙❤🌻!