Creamy Penne with Blue Cheese, Arugula and Toasted Walnuts

This recipe makes me sing a little Dionne Warwick tune that I’m absolutely positive you treasure in your heart as much as I do. The classic, “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again.

Except the lyrics go like this in my head:

“What do you get when you fall in love?

A bucket of penne with a blue cheese sau-uuuuce.

Some velvety arugula and toasted walnuts-I’LL, nevuh fall in love agaaaa-eh-eh-aiin.

Dontcha know that I’LL, nevuh fall in love aga-aain.”

I’m actually getting ready to head into the studio this morning to record this mega hit and watch it rise to the #1 spot in the charts by noon. And due to the (obvious) fame it will bring me by 1pm, I’ll be renting a wig, (duh) a white sequin gown and recording the award-winning video, showing off my wicked hip-sway-snap talents.

Will you buy the dvd?

I’m sorry but if this dish doesn’t make you faint into your plate, you’re dead inside.

Creamy Penne with Blue Cheese, Arugula and Toasted Walnuts:

(Adapted from Fine Cooking)

I’ll take the leftovers with a shovel, please.

What it took for 2:

* 1/2 pound penne
* 4 cups arugula
* 1 Tbs. butter
* 1 cup reduced-fat milk
* 1/2 cup crumble blue cheese
* 1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped and toasted
* coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Cook the pasta until it reaches al dente. Reserve 1/4th cup of the pasta water and drain the rest.

Back in the pot, reduce the heat and add the butter, milk and blue cheese. Whisk together until combined and smooth. Throw in a pinch of salt and pepper.

Add the pasta and the arugula to the sauce, wilting the greens.

Serve with toasted walnuts and oh my dear, eat eat eat.

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55 Responses to Creamy Penne with Blue Cheese, Arugula and Toasted Walnuts

  1. asuburbankitchen November 4, 2011 at 1:36 pm #
    Anything with blue cheese I love. Looks great.
  2. Ali @ Gimme Some Oven November 4, 2011 at 1:36 pm #
    Holy moly. Making this. Very soon.
  3. Kristy @ Sweet Treats & More November 4, 2011 at 2:02 pm #
    Oh yes. This makes me want to faint into YOUR plate. Looks so good! I love blue cheese!
  4. Cassie November 4, 2011 at 2:44 pm #
    These flavors...oh my. I can't stop thinking about this combination. Y.U.M., my friend!
  5. Lauren November 4, 2011 at 3:43 pm #
    Anything including pasta and blue cheese has gotta be good!
  6. brandi November 4, 2011 at 3:57 pm #
    i would totally buy the DVD. on presale. PS: please drive to VA with this dish tonight. I will make dessert.
  7. Julia November 4, 2011 at 4:12 pm #
    Ooo, I need this in my life. Soon.
  8. Deena @ stay at home FOODIE November 4, 2011 at 4:16 pm #
    Looks gorgeous.
  9. movita beaucoup November 4, 2011 at 4:29 pm #
    Oh, my. I need this pasta. And also, your soon to be released cd/dvd pack. And THEN? Your greatest hits compilation. (You should try to get that out for the holidays.)
  10. Kristina @ spabettie November 4, 2011 at 4:41 pm #
    if a big bowl of this pasta (and that shovel...) comes with the DVD? yup, I'd buy it! I'm sure your other recipes can also inspire songs, until you have a full album. :D
  11. Jessica November 4, 2011 at 5:43 pm #
    This sounds downright carbolicious! :-D
  12. Jess @ Jess Go Bananas November 4, 2011 at 7:03 pm #
    I found your website off of Yes, I want cake-she didn't lie when she said you were funny! Awesome pics!
    • Bev Weidner November 5, 2011 at 5:27 pm #
      Hi, Jess! Thanks so much for coming over!
  13. Jennifer @ Mother Thyme November 4, 2011 at 8:06 pm #
    I got all these ingredients on hand so I definitely need to make this fabulous dish soon! Love this combination, delicious!
  14. Deborah November 4, 2011 at 8:17 pm #
    I'll buy the album - as long as it come with a bucket of this pasta!!
  15. Nutmeg Nanny November 4, 2011 at 9:51 pm #
    This pasta looks awesome! I love the use of peppery arugula...yum!
  16. Kelly Senyei November 5, 2011 at 3:40 am #
    You've successfully combined three of my favorite foods: pasta, blue cheese and arugula. How do you do it!? Cannot wait to try this. I am in a serious carb-craving moment right now.
  17. Ashley@BakerbyNature November 5, 2011 at 3:56 am #
    I just busted half a gut laughing (and drooling) reading this post; I'm glad to know i'm alive in there :)
  18. Heidi / foodiecrush November 5, 2011 at 5:17 am #
    Looks like Dionne might have a serious leg up on Wilson Phillips. DId I mention that I used to put a towel on my head (to embody long, luxurious locks) and sing into a spatula, "Do you know the way to San Jose..." Oh yeah...
  19. Question November 5, 2011 at 8:16 am #
    What do you mean reserve 1/4th of the water? approx what would the measurement be?
    • Bev Weidner November 5, 2011 at 1:54 pm #
      Oops! Cup. 1/4th cup. Thanks for the notice!
      • Pammela December 14, 2011 at 9:41 pm #
        i assume just have the pasta water if sauce is too thick, or does it actually get added to the sauce? doesn't say when to add.
        • Bev Weidner December 14, 2011 at 9:44 pm #
          You're so right! Sorry I spaced on including it in the instructions. Yes, if the sauce is too thick, drizzle in some pasta water. I have a feeling you won't need to, as reviews have come back saying the sauce is actually quite thin. If that's the case, add more cheese! MORE CHEESE. Oh yes.
          • Sarah July 23, 2013 at 6:47 pm #
            Oops. Should have looked at the comments...Added all the pasta water at the end...yuck.
  20. Kat @ Sensible Lessons November 5, 2011 at 2:34 pm #
    Yes, I need a shovel as well! Looks amazing. So simple yet so good. Love these recipes!
  21. [New Balance] Nicole November 5, 2011 at 5:24 pm #
    Looks AMAZING! I need to make this soon!
  22. Amanda November 5, 2011 at 9:39 pm #
    This recipe looks so creamy and delicious! You know what would go great with it? Some garlic herb toast! Check out my recipe here: http://bit.ly/garlichearbtoast Thanks!
  23. Cookie and Kate November 7, 2011 at 1:12 am #
    Woah woah woah. This recipe reminds me a lot of one of my favorite recipes (penne, goat cheese, arugula, roasted red peppers or cherry tomatoes—it's on my blog). Can't wait to try it your way!
  24. DessertForTwo November 7, 2011 at 10:50 pm #
    OMG dinner tonight! We have about 5 pounds of arugula in the garden! Yum!
  25. Erin November 8, 2011 at 2:33 pm #
    Ok, so I thought the recipe looked am-AAAAHHHH-zing...however, reading the blog that went with it really made me fall in love. I think you and I just might share a brain...LOL. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe...and your sense of humor...and singing/song! :-) (I'll be desperately awaiting the premier of your vocal talents and hip-sway-snap abilities...get-it guuuuurl!!!)
  26. Cookin' Cowgirl November 8, 2011 at 2:50 pm #
    You're killin' me smalls! That looks so creamy and yummy!! I need it!
  27. Kara November 8, 2011 at 3:34 pm #
    This looks amazing! I will definitely try this!
  28. Aggie November 8, 2011 at 8:18 pm #
    You bring me joy. That is all.
  29. atef November 9, 2011 at 10:50 am #
    Wonderful dish
  30. Aimee @ ShugarySweets November 9, 2011 at 2:58 pm #
    This looks absolutely fantastic!!
  31. Cookie and Kate November 10, 2011 at 6:59 pm #
    I just threw together a lazy woman's version of this recipe with leftover wheat berries, gorgonzola cheese, arugula, toasted walnuts and a squeeze of lemon juice. Eating it now. SUPER YUM.
    • Bev Weidner November 10, 2011 at 8:34 pm #
      Sounds ABSOLUTELY perfect. I'm on my way over.
  32. Kate January 13, 2012 at 4:53 am #
    Made this tonight and it was delicious! Used a little extra blue cheese to really give it a nice tang. Thanks for the recipe!
  33. bzmomma January 18, 2012 at 12:33 am #
    Sounds absolutely delish! This is on tonight's menu, but um...any specific instructions on how to toast the walnuts?
    • Bev Weidner January 18, 2012 at 12:37 am #
      Sure! You can either toast them in a little skillet on the stove. (no oil) OR on a little try in a toaster oven for a few minutes. Either way works! Let me know how it turns out!
  34. Tj April 9, 2012 at 12:09 am #
    While it looks delicious.... I made this dish tonight and no matter how much cheese i added, my "sauce" didn't ever get creamy. I was essentially a bowl of noodles with arugula, walnuts and a runny milky substance in the bottom of the bowl.
    • Kate September 29, 2012 at 11:51 am #
      I use whipping cream to make the sauce. Fattier, but it makes the sauce much creamier.
      • Bev Weidner September 30, 2012 at 8:40 am #
        Oooo I love that idea! Now I have to eat it. Like, right now.
  35. Kate September 29, 2012 at 11:51 am #
    I make this all the time, it's so delicious and so easy. Once I accidentally made it with pecans instead of walnuts and that was great too! Can't go wrong with this recipe.
  36. Jen July 25, 2013 at 12:15 pm #
    This recipe is fantastic! I have made it numerous times (always with Gorgonzola rather than a more pungent blue cheese) and it is consistently well received even by my picky boyfriend. I get excited for the leftovers before the water has even started to boil :) Can't wait to make it again tonight!
  37. Hannah October 1, 2013 at 6:25 pm #
    Not really sure what happened with mine - maybe the blue cheese I used was too finely crumbled or I didn't have enough of it? The sauce just wouldn't thicken up for me. Next time I'll use more blue cheese and less milk....
  38. Black Jesus November 8, 2017 at 9:10 pm #
    AYY! ::TO my homies:: who was in a hurry trying to surprise their boo and read "Back in the pot..." in the directions and put everything.. back in the pot.. milk/pasta and all.. flipped on that heat kickin back only to realize you supposed to make that sauce in a different pot Lemme start by sayin I FEEL YOU SAVE that shi by: bringin that soup at the bottom of your noodles to a boil/ grabbin that cornstartch/mixin a spoonful with hot water/ DUMP THAT SHI IN You dont got juice no mo, now you got that sauce ayy I get the quirk side Bev but you cant be cool with them directions. You gotta SPELL them directions out if you tryna capture a wider audience who not all a bunch of white women readin everything twice. ..It was good tho, and any homie readin should make this shi snaps to you Bev
  39. Aarin Kaur March 22, 2021 at 12:19 pm #
    When we look at human we see stories. Nice post keep it up. Great Job! https://www.aarinkaur.com/

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