Name: Shrimp Pesto Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
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

Shrimp Pesto Pasta

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4.92 from 86 votes

Sara Welch

Published: Sep 21, 2016

Updated: May 19, 2019

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!

You can never go wrong with pasta, whether it’s a veggie packed spaghetti salad, lemon asparagus pasta, or a healthier zucchini fettuccine Alfredo.

A pan of shrimp pesto pasta topped with tomatoes, parmesan cheese and parsley.

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!

Seared shrimp served over spaghetti tossed in pesto sauce.

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!

A serving spoon in a pan of shrimp pesto pasta.

How do you make shrimp pesto pasta?

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!

Pesto pasta with seared shrimp, cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese.

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!

A serving spoon with a cooked shrimp in a pan of pesto pasta.

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!

MORE GREAT SHRIMP RECIPES TO TRY

Shrimp Pesto Pasta Video

4.92 from 86 votes

Shrimp Pesto Pasta

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AuthorSara Welch

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!

Time

Prep Time10

Cook Time10

Total Time20

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Serves servings

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.