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!
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!
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!
MORE GREAT SHRIMP RECIPES TO TRY
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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Pam Allard says
Great recipe! It’s a keeper!
Lisa says
Was looking for a shrimp pesto recipe after trying my hand at a homemade pesto sauce . So glad I found this! Light, flavorful and easy. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal with salad and French bread. Will be looking for more of your recipes! Thank you!
Annie says
Easy and really delicious! I used bowtie pasta, and it turned out great.
Joy says
Made just as described but I did add a little of the pasta water. It was excellent, definitely a keeper. Could easily add chicken to change it up. Thanks.
Jen says
Fantastic easy recipe! I made it for company and they really enjoyed it!
Sue says
could this be made a few hours ahead and served cold for a party? Also would rigatoni be used? the reviews are awesome so can’t wait to make!
Sara says
Rigatoni is fine to use. I’ve never served this cold before, but I think it could be ok?
Cory says
Great recipe! Would order at restaurant and leave big tip.
Dana Van Wie says
I really like this recipe. I made my own pesto and added few cut up yellow tomatoes along with the cherries, last ones from my garden. This will be on our menu regularly.
Cat says
Such a simple yet delicious recipe—my five year old loves it!
DJ says
Used Delallo brand jarred pesto, and this recipe was really good. My husband isn’t a huge pesto fan, and even he loved it. The cherry grape tomatoes really make this dish, so don’t skip those. Was fast and easy and uses items that I typically have on hand. Thank you!
Bridgett May says
I follow quite a bit pf your recipes. They are all delicious and easy, but mostly they are great dishes that work well with my GERD. I appreciate your style, and even though I can’t eat some of the spices in your dishes…like this one, i can’t have tomatoes and my pesto is homemade with no garlic, I can’t eat most people’s recipes as is. But yours compliment my style easily. I want to thank you for your smart dishes!!
Jennifer says
Easy and tasty! My husband just loved it!
Debi says
My husband and I love it! Thanks!
Stacey says
Delicious! Whole family loved it! I added some pasta water and a little half and half to the mixture and it was amazing! Thank you.
Angela W Broyles says
My family loves this!
Beth says
Mine too. My 16 year old says this is the best thing I have every made and asks for it weekly. I love how easy it is to pull together.
Sue Hope says
Made this tonight for dinner. Delicious!. I sauteed some sweet onion and red pepper before cooking the shrimp.
My pasta for this dish was strozzapreti, a long tubular pasta I discovered during a trip to Italy a year ago. I used the Kirkland basil pesto sauce.
Kitchen hint: leftover Kirkland pesto sauce and be frozen in small containers for future use.
Karyn says
Just easy and wonderful! My family loved this recipe! I always have shrimp and pesto in my freezer anyways.
Steph says
Just made this thank you
Emma says
A big hit at my house! I used fresh basil instead of parsley and added a bit of lemon zest. Delish!
Cynthia Osgood says
Agree with the lemon zest comment, adds some zip
Karen Tricomo says
This sounds delicious and I’m going to try it tonight for a potluck I don’t have time to make something more complicated for. I plan to at least DOUBLE the recipe but do you have any suggestions as to how I can “pad” it more for 10+ people? I’ll let you know in either case how it all turned out, but I have high hopes! 😀
Sara says
I’d add some more vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms!