Rocket pesto recipe - plus 25 ways to use it

An epicurean adventure to: Italy

This Rocket pesto recipe, also referred to as arugula pesto, is a delicious variation of pesto that features rocket salad leaves as its star component.

With their subtly spicy and pungent taste, the rocket leaves contribute depth and complexity to the pesto, resulting in an overall experience of freshness and vibrancy.

When garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and olive oil come together, they enhance and balance the natural flavour profile of the rocket, creating a deliciously well-rounded pesto.

Pesto is a well-known cultural icon in Italy, representing the vibrant, fresh flavours of Italian cuisine. This twist on the traditional pesto adds a unique and delicious spin, whilst still showcasing Italy's love for fresh ingredients and its culinary creativity.

You can enjoy it as a pasta sauce, spread on sandwiches or toast, as a dip or as a topping for grilled meats and vegetables. See our extensive list of suggestions further down this page for some creative inspiration.

For more pesto recipes and dips, why not try this pistachio pesto, beetroot hummus or this healthy tuna pâté recipe?

Fast facts - Italy

Location	Italy is located in Southern Europe, bordering France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.
Language	Italian is the official language of Italy and it's spoken by the majority of the population. However, there are also many regional dialects and languages spoken throughout the country.
Population	Circa 60 million people.
Trivia	In 2013, the Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli brought a specially designed "space pasta" to the International Space Station. It was made to withstand the challenges of space travel and allowed astronauts to enjoy a taste of Italy beyond Earth.

Key ingredients and substitutions

**Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full list of ingredients.

Rocket

As the main ingredient, opt for the freshest rocket (arugula in the United States) you can lay your hands on. No need to fuss with chopping, it's delicate and the food processor will breeze through it.

If you're blessed with a garden with wild rocket, go ahead and use it for your pesto. Just a heads up, the peppery flavour might be a tad more pronounced with wild rocket.

Pine nuts

Feel free to shake things up by substituting the classic pine nuts with cashew nuts, walnuts, almonds or macadamia nuts for a different twist.

Grated parmesan

Grated Parmesan is the go-to but don't hesitate to switch things up with Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano Reggiano or Piave for a more economical alternative.

If you're aiming for a vegan-friendly version, trade the Parmesan for a quality vegan hard cheese.

Garlic

This recipe calls for two roughly chopped garlic cloves but feel free to tweak that to match your taste preferences.

Alternatively, take a shortcut by using two teaspoons of garlic paste.

Lemon juice

For the best flavour, opt for fresh lemon juice. If you're a fan of an extra zesty kick, go ahead and sprinkle in some additional lemon zest as well.

The lemon juice also helps the pesto retain that beautiful green colour.

Sugar

The sugar in this recipe isn't meant to sweeten the pest, its purpose is to balance out the subtle bitter taste of rocket.

If you prefer, feel free to omit it altogether or substitute it with a small amount of powdered sweetener.

Olive oil

You can use any good quality virgin or extra virgin olive oil.

How to make rocket pesto: Step-by-step

1. Give the pine nuts a gentle toasting in a pan until they become fragrant and take on a golden brown colour.

2. Add all the ingredients to a food processor.

3. Whizz until you have the consistency you prefer.
   
   All the ingredients are quite 'soft', so you won't need to blend it for very long. Scrape down the sides of the bowl at least once to ensure you've incorporated everything well. Add more olive oil if you prefer a runnier consistency.

4. Transfer the pesto to a bowl and use as required.

25 Serving suggestions for Rocket Pesto

• Pasta - Toss rocket pesto with cooked pasta, or fresh pasta, for a quick and flavourful pasta dish for an easy weeknight dinner.
  
  It pairs particularly well with spaghetti or penne. Consider adding cherry tomatoes, grilled chicken or roasted vegetables for extra texture and taste.

• Bruschetta - Spread rocket pesto on toasted bread slices and top with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese or prosciutto for a lovely appetiser or snack.

• Sandwiches and wraps - Use rocket pesto as a spread in sandwiches or wraps. It adds a burst of zingy flavour to grilled vegetable sandwiches, chicken wraps or even as a condiment in burgers for a peppery kick.

• Pizza - Replace traditional tomato sauce with rocket pesto as a base for homemade pizzas. Top it with your favourite cheese, vegetables and proteins.

• Salad dressing - Mix rocket pesto with olive oil, lemon juice and a touch of honey to create a delicious dressing for salads. Drizzle it over mixed greens, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella for a refreshing salad option. It's perfect with Panzanella Toscana salad.

• Grilled meats and fish - Use the pesto as a marinade or topping for grilled chicken, steak or fish. It adds a herbal and peppery note to the proteins.

• Roasted vegetables - Toss roasted vegetables, such as courgette, eggplant or bell peppers with rocket pesto before serving.

• Crostini - Spread the pesto on toasted baguette slices and top with grilled vegetables, feta cheese or sun-dried tomatoes for an elegant appetiser.

• Omelettes or scrambled eggs - Add a dollop of rocket pesto to your omelettes or scrambled eggs to zhoosh up your breakfast.

• Stuffed chicken or fish - Stuff chicken breasts or fish fillets with a generous amount of the pesto before baking or grilling. It infuses the meat with flavour and moisture.

• Salad garnish - Use rocket pesto as a garnish for salads, including mixed greens, tomato and mozzarella salads, or even grain-based salads like quinoa or couscous. Scatter with pumpkin seeds.

• Dip or spread - Serve rocket pesto as a dip or spread alongside breadsticks, crackers or vegetable crudites. It's a great alternative to traditional dips and adds a vibrant and unique flavour.

• Roasted potatoes - Toss roasted potatoes with the homemade pesto just before serving. The combination of the earthy potatoes and the peppery pesto creates the perfect contrast.

• Gourmet pizza topping - Use rocket pesto as a topping on gourmet-style pizzas. It pairs well with ingredients like prosciutto, goat cheese, caramelized onions and balsamic glaze.

• Pesto mayo - Mix the pesto with mayonnaise to create a flavourful spread for sandwiches, burgers or as a dip for fries.

• Savoury tart - Spread a layer of rocket pesto on a pre-baked tart crust and top with roasted vegetables, goat cheese or feta. Bake until golden brown.

• Grilled cheese - Use rocket pesto as a spread in grilled cheese sandwiches for an elevated twist. It pairs well with mozzarella, cheddar or provolone cheese.

• Stir-fries - Add a spoonful of the pesto to stir-fries during the last few minutes of cooking. It adds a burst of flavour and freshness to vegetable, chicken or tofu stir-fry dishes.

• Gnocchi or ravioli sauce - Toss cooked gnocchi or ravioli with rocket pesto for a simple yet satisfying pasta dish. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts.

• Roasted chicken or turkey - Rub roasted chicken or turkey with the pesto before cooking to infuse the meat.

• Quiche - Add a tablespoon or two of rocket pesto to the egg mixture when making quiches. It imparts a lovely herby flavour to the savoury custard filling.

• Grilled vegetables - Brush grilled vegetables such as courgettes, eggplant or bell peppers with the pesto before serving.

• Stuffed mushrooms - Fill mushroom caps with a mixture of rocket pesto, breadcrumbs and cheese. Bake until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is golden.

• Pesto butter - Mix softened butter with the pesto to create a flavourful herb butter. Use it to top grilled steak, spread on bread or melt over roasted vegetables.

• Buddha bowls - Drizzle rocket pesto over Buddha bowls, which typically consist of a variety of grains, vegetables and proteins. It adds a vibrant element to the bowl.

• Roasted sweet potato: The beautiful green colour of the rocket pesto looks very attractive against the orange sweet potato.

Storage

This rocket pesto will keep well in the fridge for up to three days if stored in an airtight container.

It also freezes really well and will keep for up to six months.

You can also freeze the pesto in ice cube trays and only take out the amount you need. Keep the ice cube tray well wrapped in a bag to protect it from freezer burn or smells.