Shrimp Pesto Pasta
This simple and easy pasta recipe is made with homemade pesto and loaded with shrimp. Ready in just 30 minutes and it's packed with flavor.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- Salt and ground pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 pound medium shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 large lemon
For the pesto:
- 2 cups arugula or kale, packed
- 1 cup baby spinach packed
- 1/2 cup basil packed
- 1-2 clove garlic
- ⅓ cup pistachio shelled
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated, plus more for garnish
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon juiced
- salt and ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- To a small food processor, add all the pesto ingredients and process until smooth. (2 cups arugula, 1 cup baby spinach, 1/2 cup basil, 1-2 clove garlic, ⅓ cup pistachio shelled, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1 lemon, and salt and ground pepper)
- Bring a pot with salted water to a boil, and add the 8 ounces pasta. Cook following the package instructions, then drain. (you may reserve about 1/3 cup of pasta water in case it's needed later)
- Meanwhile, heat the 1 teaspoon olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Season the 1 pound medium shrimp with Salt and ground pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Squeeze over the 1 large lemon and remove from heat.
- Once the pasta is done, add it over the shrimp together with the pistachio pesto. Toss well to coat. At this point, if you feel like the pasta looks dry, you may add in your reserved pasta water and mix again.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges, garnish with parmesan and enjoy!
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water in case you need it at the end.
- If you don't have pistachios, you may use walnuts or pine nuts
- Use fresh ingredients if possible. Fresh basil is essential
- If you don't like shrimp, you may use chicken or any other protein instead.
- Use any pasta of choice: for healthier options, use lentil or chickpea pasta.
- Here is a shrimp pesto pasta recipe I made with zoodles.
Nutrition
Calories: 547kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 147mg | Sodium: 752mg | Potassium: 404mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1406IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 190mg | Iron: 2mg