This recipe for shrimp pesto pasta is spaghetti tossed in a flavorful pesto sauce, then topped with sauteed shrimp and tomatoes. A fresh and easy dinner that’s quick to make and packed with flavor!
If you’ve been reading her for a while, you know I’m ALL about the easy dinner ideas. It doesn’t get much simpler than this shrimp pesto pasta! The whole thing is ready in about 20 minutes, you can’t beat that!
I like to use spaghetti for my shrimp pesto pasta, but linguine or fettuccine would also be great. While the pasta is boiling, I cook up my shrimp. After the noodles are done, I simply toss the pasta with the shrimp, pesto, add some tomatoes and cheese, and dinner is served!
So here’s my little secret: I don’t make my own pesto. Yes, you can make your own pesto, but there are so many high quality store bought versions these days that I feel like it’s not always worth the extra time and effort. My favorite pesto is the Kirkland brand at Costco, it comes in a jar in the refrigerated section. The refrigerated store bought pesto tends to be superior in flavor to the shelf stable type, so go for the fresh stuff whenever possible!
This pesto pasta recipe gets finished off with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese, fresh tomatoes and herbs. I went with parsley because that’s what I had on hand, but you could also use basil or even just skip the herbs if you don’t happen to have them on hand. Another awesome addition to this dish would be pine nuts, or even some sauteed zucchini!
I’m definitely going to be turning to this shrimp pesto pasta when I need a speedy dinner. If you add a loaf of bread and a green salad, it’s even fancy enough for company!
Shrimp Pesto Pasta Video
Shrimp Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- 10 ounces dry spaghetti can also use linguine or fettuccine
- 3/4 cup basil pesto
- 1 pound medium to large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or equal parts garlic powder dried basil and dried oregano)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the shrimp.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan over high heat. Add the shrimp and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Cook for 2-4 minutes or until shrimp are just pink and opaque. Turn off the heat.
- Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the shrimp. Stir in the pesto.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese to the pan. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Nutrition
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Yani says
I will make this for dinner tonight for my husband and I. The kids are not fans of shrimp, so before I add the shrimp I will take a portion out and mix it with grilled chicken for them. One dinner will please the whole family! Thank you!
Sara says
Great idea, hope you enjoy!
Tanza Erlambang says
delicious…yummy.
have a great day
Jaime says
Delish!!! Wow simple yet super tasty! I am growing basil in my basement and what better way than to use it than trying your recipe! I am so glad I found your post!
Sara says
So glad you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!
Danielle Nikkia Salmon says
OMG this looks so so good. The shrimp literally had me wanting to devour my laptop screen. I love how deliciously easy it looks to make because that means even little ol me can make it. Great job!
Joanne says
This is my second time making this dish. My family loves it. I didn’t change a thing. Delicious.
chandra says
er. what the hell happened to the recipe? The photos are nice, and the video is fine, but nowhere do I see measurements for any of the ingredients! perhaps it’s a glitch, because I see recipes for some of the other dishes on this site — just not this one. Also, for some reason, i can’t type capital letters in the comments. weird.
Sara says
It’s fixed, sorry about that!
Marilyn says
You decide on amount of meat!!❤️♥️
Glenda says
Could ham work instead of the prawns do you think?
Sara says
Sure, chicken would be great too!
Marilyn says
Yes it would . I eat pesto on crackers. Marilyn
pamela says
Looks so awesome…yummy
Anessa says
Made this recipe for Christmas and we loved! I can’t wait to make again. Simplistic and delicious!
Cat says
I made it this evening for dinner and we loved it
Bob Spiak says
Looking forward to your recipes.
Greg says
Beautiful pictures! Looks delicious!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
This is so pretty Sara! I adore pesto and shrimp – what a wonderful combination! I need to try this with some zoodles too. Love you photos
opio tom says
i have really liked it .its very nice and am eager to try it out
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says
I don’t think a meal gets any better than this, Sara. Shrimp, pasta, pesto = heaven on a plate and a very happy family. Happy parents too because meal prep and clean up is a breeze. Gorgeous! Sharing 🙂
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
Absolutely stunning, sharing!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Beautiful! Love shrimp and pasta and such a great combination with the pesto 🙂
Brian Fitzgibbon says
Would the prawn pesto and pasta be served cold or warm or either.
Sara says
I always serve it warm!