Pesto Shrimp Pasta

I've got the perfect busy weeknight dinner for you - Creamy Pesto Shrimp Pasta! We're combining juicy shrimp, angel hair pasta, fresh basil, and sun-dried tomatoes in a deliciously creamy pesto sauce that is packed with flavor. My favorite part of this shrimp pasta recipe is that it comes together in under an hour and every bite is packed with flavor! 

For more quick and easy shrimp recipes, make my garlic butter pan seared shrimp and easy shrimp scampi!

I love an easy dinner recipe and this creamy pesto pasta is just that! If you have 30 minutes, a large skillet, and some shrimp in the fridge, you can easily make this pasta dish. 

The shrimp is sauteed in butter,Similar to my creamy salmon pasta, this recipe packs the flavor in every bite. It's saucy, savory, garlicky, and is delicious with a side of garlic bread and a glass of wine.

This recipe is ideal for a Spring dinner, date night, or just an easy weeknight meal. Let's cook!

Why You'll Love this Recipe

• It's quick and easy! This shrimp pesto pasta recipe is not only delicious but it's a super easy recipe, perfect for when you need something on the table in less than 30 minutes. 
• Full of Flavor! When it comes to flavor, this dish is full of it! The creamy basil pesto sauce is 
• Versatile dish! You can customise this recipe to your liking. If you want to swap out the protein or use a different pasta, this dish will come out just as delicious!  

Ingredients and Substitutions

(full list of ingredients and quantities are in the recipe card)

• Shrimp - as always, I like to use jumbo shrimp, but this is personal preference. Just avoid using pre-cooked shrimp. Although it saves time, they don't have much flavor and the texture can be a little strange.

• Basil Pesto - to save on time, I like to use store bought basil pesto. However, if you'd like to make your own homemade pesto in the food processor, feel free! 

• Garlic cloves - use fresh garlic please!

• Pasta - I used angel hair pasta but any long or short pasta works here. Just use your favorite pasta or whatever pasta you have on hand. 

• Sun-dried tomatoes - I love the flavor of sun-dried tomatoes. They add a little tang to this recipe that's mega delicious.

• Heavy Cream - the creamy texture of the sauce is all thanks to heavy cream. 

• White wine - the basis of the pesto sauce a white wine sauce with pesto mixed in. The white wine adds brightness and acidity to the dish that helps cut all of the decadent creamy flavor. If you don't have white wine or prefer not to use it, you can use chicken broth instead.

• Lemon juice - this is just to brighten the dish a bit. It balances and enhances the creamy sauce and the garlicky pesto.

Pro Tips

• If using frozen shrimp, soak in cool water for about 20 minutes to thaw completely. Conversely, if using fresh shrimp, be sure to use it within 24 hours of purchasing.
• Use peeled deveined shrimp to cut down on time prepping the shrimp.
• Cook pasta until just al dente. 
• Most importantly, don't overcook the shrimp! Shrimp cooks very quickly, I'm talking about 2-3 minutes, so keep an eye on it. Once the shrimp is in the shape of a C and is pink, remove it from the heat so that it doesn't overcook and become rubbery.

How to Cook Pesto Pasta with Shrimp

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water and set aside. 

Start by patting the shrimp dry and seasoning liberally with salt, black pepper, and a touch of old bay. Add butter and a little olive oil to a large skillet and warm over medium heat. Once warmed, add the shrimp and saute for 2-3 minutes, until slightly curled and pink. Remove from the pan and set aside. (Image 1 and 2)

Add 2 tbsps of butter to the pan and allow it to melt, then add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once melted, add in the diced garlic cloves and season with salt and pepper. Saute for 2-3 minutes, then add red pepper flakes and flour, stirring constantly until it begins to thicken, about 2-3 minutes. (Image 3)

Pour in the white wine and reduce to low heat. Simmer for 5 minutes to cook off the alcohol and then add the heavy cream and sundried tomatoes with the oil. Stir constantly as the sauce will thicken quickly. Once thickened, remove from the heat and add in the pesto and lemon juice. Stir until combined.

Pour sauce over the angel hair pasta and place shrimp on top. Garnish with additional sundried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. (Image 4) (Serving tip: the pasta soaks up the sauce pretty quickly so only add the sauce prior to serving) 

Variations

Swap out the protein - chicken, scallops, or salmon also pair well with this dish. This will increase the cook time, however, it'll be super delicious either way. 

Gluten free / low-carb option - use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta. 

Garnish with some cherry tomatoes instead of sun-dried tomatoes for a more caprese pasta kind of feel! 

What goes with Shrimp Pesto Pasta?

This shrimp pasta recipe is garlic bread's BEST FRIEND. Also, with a side salad, this recipe becomes a complete meal. SO so good. Some other options are bruschetta, a caesar salad, or caprese salad.

Oh and don't forget to treat yourself to a glass of chardonnay for a phenomenal wine pairing!

Storing and Reheating

Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Shrimp pasta can be frozen for about 2-3 months. However, for the best quality, it's advisable to consume it within the first month. When you're ready to enjoy the stored shrimp pasta, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Reheat the pasta in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring frequently to ensure even heating. You can add a splash of broth or water to prevent the pasta from drying out. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave, using short intervals and stirring in between to avoid uneven heating.

Recipe FAQs

More Seafood Recipes

• Low Country Boil
• Seafood Boil Recipe
• Shrimp Po'boy with Old Bay Sauce
• Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Dipping Sauce
• Salt and Pepper Shrimp