Description
A vibrant and flavorful Shrimp Pesto Pasta combining perfectly cooked spaghetti with succulent sautéed shrimp, blistered grape tomatoes, and a rich homemade or store-bought pesto sauce, finished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti (or other long pasta)
Shrimp
- 1 pound medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Other
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 1 pint grape tomatoes
- ¾ cup pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil (optional)
- Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain the pasta; set aside.
- Season Shrimp: While the pasta is cooking, pat shrimp dry using paper towels. Season them evenly with dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Sauté Shrimp: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1–2 minutes on each side until they turn bright pink and are just cooked through. Transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside.
- Cook Tomatoes: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil along with grape tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes blister and burst, about 6-8 minutes.
- Deglaze Skillet: Remove skillet from heat and pour in 2 tablespoons of reserved pasta water. Scrape the bottom of the skillet to loosen any browned bits for added flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: Return skillet to heat and add cooked pasta, shrimp with any accumulated juices, and pesto. Toss thoroughly to coat everything evenly, adding more pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the pasta mixture and add additional salt or pepper as desired to enhance the flavors.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and top with grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired for brightness.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute spaghetti with gluten-free pasta.
- Use homemade pesto for a fresher flavor or store-bought for convenience.
- Ensure shrimp are fully thawed and patted dry to achieve a better sear.
- The reserved pasta water helps to create a silky sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Adjust heat when cooking shrimp and tomatoes to avoid burning.
