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Shrimp Pesto Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 69 reviews

A quick and flavorful Shrimp Pesto Pasta featuring perfectly cooked shrimp, blistered grape tomatoes, and a vibrant homemade or store-bought pesto sauce tossed with al dente spaghetti. This dish is ideal for a delicious weeknight dinner packed with Mediterranean flavors and fresh ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 ounces spaghetti (or other long pasta)

Shrimp

  • 1 pound medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)

Vegetables & Sauce

  • 1 pint grape tomatoes
  • ¾ cup pesto (homemade or store-bought)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • fresh basil leaves (optional)
  • lemon wedges (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
  2. Season Shrimp: While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure better searing. Season evenly with dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Cook Shrimp: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer to sear and cook for 1–2 minutes on each side until they turn bright pink and are just cooked through. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside on a plate.
  4. Cook Tomatoes: Lower the skillet heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add grape tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes, until the tomatoes start to blister and burst.
  5. Deglaze Skillet: Remove skillet from heat and pour in 2 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water. Use a spoon to scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the skillet bottom.
  6. Toss Pasta and Shrimp: Add the cooked pasta, shrimp along with any collected juices, and pesto into the skillet. Toss everything together gently to coat evenly, adding more pasta water as needed to achieve a silky sauce consistency.
  7. Season to Taste: Taste the pasta and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if necessary to enhance flavors.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Top the pasta with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Optionally squeeze lemon wedges over the top for a bright citrus finish before serving.

Notes

  • Reserve some pasta water before draining; it helps create a smooth sauce when combining ingredients.
  • Drying the shrimp before cooking prevents them from steaming and helps achieve better browning.
  • Use fresh basil for a fragrant, fresh finish or substitute with parsley if preferred.
  • Adjust the amount of pesto to your taste preference.
  • Serve immediately to enjoy the pasta at its best texture and flavor.

Keywords: shrimp pesto pasta, easy pasta recipe, Italian shrimp pasta, quick dinner, pesto sauce, grape tomatoes pasta

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/shrimp-pesto-pasta-recipe/