Shrimp Pesto Pasta Recipe

Searching for a fast and flavorful pasta dish? This Shrimp Pesto Pasta combines completely cooked shrimp with a home made basil pesto sauce and al dente spaghetti for a scrumptious, satisfying meal. Made with recent basil, Parmesan cheese, and a zesty lemon twist, this simple pesto recipe provides a burst of taste to your plate. Perfect for busy weeknights, this shrimp pasta is fast to make and an awesome alternative for seafood lovers. Strive it at present and elevate your pasta sport!

Substances

For the Pesto:

3 cups recent basil leaves, destemmed
¼ cup slivered almonds
2 garlic cloves
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

For the Shrimp & Pasta:

1 pound spaghetti
1 pound uncooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails eliminated
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and black pepper to style

Directions

Put together the Pesto:
In a meals processor, mix basil leaves, almonds, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Pulse till the combination is finely minced. With the machine working, slowly drizzle within the olive oil, processing till easy. Set the pesto apart.
Cook dinner the Spaghetti:
Deliver a big pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook dinner in accordance with the bundle directions till al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it apart in a colander.
Cook dinner the Shrimp:
In a big bowl, season the shrimp with salt and black pepper. Warmth 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the identical pot over medium warmth. Add the shrimp and cook dinner for 2-3 minutes on all sides, or till they flip pink and opaque.
Mix Pasta and Pesto:
Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water to the pot with the shrimp. Stir to mix. Add the ready pesto and toss till the spaghetti is evenly coated.
Serve:
Divide the shrimp pesto pasta amongst six serving bowls and garnish as desired. Serve heat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This shrimp pesto pasta is a fast and flavorful dish that mixes recent, zesty pesto with tender shrimp and completely cooked spaghetti. It’s a great weeknight dinner that feels fancy sufficient for entertaining.

Suggestions

Toast the almonds earlier than mixing to reinforce their taste.
Reserve additional pasta water for adjusting the sauce consistency as wanted.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for one of the best style.

Variations and Substitutions

Change almonds with pine nuts or walnuts for a traditional pesto variation.
Substitute shrimp with grilled hen or scallops for a special protein choice.
Use zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.

FAQs

Q: Can I exploit store-bought pesto?
A: Sure, store-bought pesto works as a handy various, however home made pesto provides the freshest taste.

Q: How do I do know when shrimp is cooked?
A: Shrimp is cooked when it turns pink and opaque, and curls right into a “C” form. Watch out to not overcook, as it could turn into rubbery.

Serving

Serve this dish with a aspect of garlic bread or a recent backyard salad for an entire meal. A glass of crisp white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc, pairs fantastically with the flavors of basil and lemon.

Ideas

Make this recipe forward by getting ready the pesto prematurely and storing it within the fridge. For a contact of spice, sprinkle purple pepper flakes over the completed dish.