Shrimp Pesto Pasta
The ultimate comfort food, Shrimp Pesto Pasta is creamy, flavorful, and a breeze to make. This easy weeknight dinner combines succulent shrimp with aromatic pesto, creating a dish that's both satisfying and quick to prepare. Indulge in this tasty recipe tonight!
Equipment
- Wooden Spoon
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 10 ounces uncooked spaghetti, fettuccine, or angel hair pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound large shrimp, deveined Remove or leave the tails on according to preference.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- squeeze N/A fresh lemon juice
- 2/3 cup basil pesto
- N/A N/A basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in generously salted water until al dente (around 7 to 8 minutes). Drain the pasta but first reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- While the pasta is cooking, pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel and place them in a bowl. Add the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and stir to combine.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the shrimp and the minced garlic. Cook the shrimp on each side for 1 to 2 minutes until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through, adding the lemon zest towards the end. Be careful not to over-cook the shrimp. Remove and set aside.
- Add the hot pasta, the pesto, a squeeze of lemon juice, and about 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta water. Use tongs to toss the pasta until well combined and the sauce takes on a creamy texture, adding a little more of the pasta water if needed. Taste and add more salt if desired.
- Top with the cooked shrimp, a few basil leaves for garnish, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Tip 1: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water to revive the sauce.
- Tip 2: You can freeze the sauce separately from the pasta. However, cooked shrimp doesn’t freeze well, so consider making only the pasta and sauce if you plan to freeze.
- Tip 3: This dish pairs beautifully with a light salad or steamed vegetables.
- Tip 4: Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Tip 5: Fresh basil or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese makes for a beautiful presentation.