This easy rocket salad is one of our favourite salad recipes. A simple Italian inspired rocket salad with radishes, Parmesan and plenty of pine nuts for crunch. All mixed with a classic balsamic dressing and ready in just 5 minutes.
If we are having a hearty pasta dish, we like to serve it with a big green salad, and this Italian rocket salad recipe is perfect.
It has a lovely peppery flavour from the rocket leaves which pairs beautifully with the creamy Parmesan, and it's so simple to make. Just throw it all into a bowl and mix together.
If you are looking for some other rocket recipes, then why not try our Tortilla Pizza, Blue Cheese Salad or Easy Smoked Salmon Pasta?
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Why You Will Love It
- So easy - This really is a minimal effort salad, but that is just the way they should be. No cooking, minimal preparation and just throw it in a bowl and mix together.
- Full of flavour - Just because it is simple, doesn't mean it is lacking in flavour. The peppery rocker lettuce, the creamy Parmesan, the sweet balsamic dressing - this rocket salad really does have it all.
- Adaptable - This is a fairly simple salad, with just a few ingredients. But really, any salad ingredients go. Add some finely diced pepper or cucumber if you like. We have given lots of ways to adapt it below.
- Versatile - We love this rocket salad as a side dish to a more indulgent meal like a creamy pasta. But it will go with almost anything and we have given lots of options below.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Rocket (arugula) - This is very easy to grow, but you can also find it in most supermarkets. Some will say "strong" on the packet which just means that it has a more intense peppery taste.
- Oil - Use the best quality olive oil you can, as it really will make a difference. We use extra virgin olive oil.
- Vinegar - We used balsamic as we love the sweetness that it adds to the rocket salad. However, you could swap it for apple cider vinegar if you prefer.
- Lemon - This adds a lovely fresh flavour to the salad. For extra lemony flavour, add some lemon zest too.
- Salt and pepper - Generously season.
- Radish - You could leave this out if you wanted a really simple salad. But it does add some extra peppery flavour, as well as colour and crunch.
- Pine nuts - These are a delicious creamy seed (not actually a nut) that we love putting on top of salads. Actual nuts like almonds, pecans or walnuts would work well too.
- Cheese - Parmesan is the perfect cheese to go with this rocket salad, but we have given other options below. We used Parmesan shavings, as we like to see them in the salad. But you could use grated Parmesan if you prefer.
Variations
Salad/Vegetables - For a lot of extra flavour, chopped sun-dried tomatoes are our go-to, but you could use fresh tomatoes too. For some added creaminess, we love chunks of avocado, as it really balances out the peppery flavour of the rocket leaves, not to mention adding some healthy fats too. If you want to make this more of a filling meal, then some Roasted Baby Potatoes are a good addition.
Cheese - This is a rocket and Parmesan salad, but there are other cheeses that will work. We like a creamy soft cheese like feta or goat's cheese, as well as a strong cheese like Stilton crumbled on top.
Dressing - Our rocket salad dressing is made up of olive oil, lemon juice and balsamic vinegar. Add a little Dijon mustard to the dressing to make it creamy. You could also add a touch of maple syrup for a little sweetness. Sometimes we skip the balsamic vinegar in the dressing and just top the salad with a balsamic glaze.
Topping - You could swap with pine nuts for pecans or walnuts, or even some pumpkin seeds. Crunch doesn't have to come from nuts or seeds - you could top this salad with some Sourdough Croutons. We also love some fresh apple or pear on top too.
How to Make Rocket Salad - Step by Step
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk the oil, balsamic, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Put the rocket (arugula) and sliced radish into a large mixing bowl.
- Step 3: Pour over the dressing.
- Step 4: Add the pine nuts and Parmesan shavings.
- Step 5: Toss the salad to mix well and serve. Add more Parmesan to finish off (optional).
Serving Suggestions
This is such a versatile salad. You could serve it as a side, or even a main with some grilled chicken or salmon on top. Why not try our Peri Peri Chicken, Pesto Salmon, Marinated Chicken Skewers or Sweet Chilli Salmon?
We love this with a hearty pasta dish and some of our favourites are Sardine Pasta, Mushroom Carbonara, Chorizo Mac and Cheese or Cherry Tomato Pasta.
Extra Tips
- For extra flavour, you can toast the pine nuts. We didn't as we wanted this to be quick and easy. However toasting them in a dry pan for a couple of minutes does add a lovely extra crunch to them.
- For the best flavour, freshly grate the Parmesan yourself.
- If you like a kick of heat, you can finish the rocket salad off with a sprinkle of red chilli flakes.
- Add the dressing right and the last minute to stop the salad from going soggy.
- You might think this is vegetarian, but Parmesan isn't vegetarian. If you want this to be a vegetarian salad, then you will need to swap the Parmesan for another hard cheese that is suitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can store leftovers in an air tight container for up to 2 days. However, if the salad has already been dressed then it may be a bit soggy. This salad is always best eaten fresh.
Yes, you can mix up all the salad ingredients in advance and keep in an air tight container in the fridge. You can also make up the dressing in a sealed jar or bottle and keep it in the fridge. Then, just dress the salad when you are ready to serve.
More Vegetarian Salad Recipes
If you’ve tried this rocket salad, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Rocket Salad (Arugula Salad)
Ingredients
- 120 g (6 cups) Rocket (arugula)
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
- 1 Lemon - (juice only)
- 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper
- 2 Radishes - finely sliced
- 50 g (0.5 cups) Pine nuts
- 30 g (1 oz) Parmesan - shavings
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoon Olive oil, 2 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar, juice of 1 Lemon and 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper.
- Put 120 g Rocket (arugula) and 2 Radishes into a large mixing bowl.
- Pour over the dressing.
- Add 50 g Pine nuts and 30 g Parmesan shavings.
- Mix well and serve. Add more Parmesan to finish off (optional).
Recipe Tips
- For extra flavour, you can toast the pine nuts. We didn't as we wanted this to be quick and easy. However toasting them in a dry pan for a couple of minutes does add a lovely extra crunch to them.
- For the best flavour, freshly grate the Parmesan yourself.
- If you like a kick of heat, you can finish the rocket salad off with a sprinkle of red chilli flakes.
- Add the dressing right and the last minute to stop the salad from going soggy.
- You might think this is vegetarian, but Parmesan isn't vegetarian. If you want this to be a vegetarian salad, then you will need to swap the Parmesan for another hard cheese that is suitable.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Michelle says
Love the dressing, and the parmesan and pine nuts together remind me of pesto. Delicious!
Toni says
This is such an amazing salad recipe!! I'd definitely make it again and again!
Gina says
Love a good salad and this was right up my alley! Had it for lunch yesterday with some chicken and it really hit the spot. Quick to make and delicious! I will be making again!
Tara says
I can see why this salad is a favorite! It looks so good with such amazing flavors.
Ieva says
Rocket is my absolute favourite green! I just love the peppery taste of it! But with balsamic, and buttery pinenuts - wow - the best salad ever!
Katherine says
This vibrant healthy salad has such great flavors and textures!
Anjali says
This is such an easy and fresh salad! We served it alongside pasta for dinner last night and it was delicious!
Nancy says
Easy to make rocket salad and pairs great with lots of protein
Mirlene says
You cant go wrong with having this rocket salad. So delicious and was the perfect side dish to go along with my baked chicken.
Kathleen says
This is a fantastic, quick salad for a busy weeknight dinner.