What we love about this shrimp and pesto pasta recipe is that it’s quick and easy AND it’s only 3 ingredients. Even more to love? This recipe cooks from start to finish in 15 minutes. And who isn’t always looking for a super easy weeknight dinner?!
This easy weeknight dinner can’t be beat. Add in some quick frozen veggies and you have a well-rounded, healthy dish to feed your family. We love using frozen peas or some roasted zucchini.
What ingredients do you need for shrimp pesto pasta?
- Frozen shrimp
- Pesto
- Pasta of choice – we love orecchiette
Frozen shrimp is one of those things we always love to keep in our freezer so we can get a dinner on the table quickly.
How do you thaw frozen shrimp?
- To thaw it quickly just add shrimp to a colander and run cold water over shrimp. It’s as easy as that!
Another great thing about this dish is that pesto has oil in it, so it’s great for cooking the shrimp in! Plus, the pesto imparts a beautiful flavor onto the shrimp.
This recipe makes 2 servings, but you can more than easily double it for 4 servings. Great for a family or dinner party.
If you’re looking for more great (and super easy) shrimp dinners, try this one pot thai shrimp and quinoa or white wine garlic shrimp.
3 Ingredient Shrimp Pesto Pasta
This 3 ingredient shrimp pesto pasta comes together in less than 15 minutes and makes a great easy, weeknight dinner!
Print RateServings: 2 people
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. shrimp peeled and deveined, thawed
- 2 Tablespoons pesto divided
- 2 ounces dry pasta orecchiette is best for this dish
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions (boil water, add salt and pasta, drain when done)
- In a medium-large skillet add 1 tablespoon of pesto and add the shrimp. Cook, stirring and flipping the shrimp occasionally over medium-high heat until the shrimp is cooked through, usually 5 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the shrimp. Add additional tablespoon pesto. Stir and serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 526kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 91g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 1294mg | Sodium: 4134mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 302IU | Calcium: 484mg | Iron: 9mg
Rebecca says
I love to just saute shrimp and garlic with a bit of oil and butter. Then add lemon juice and zest. It’s SUPER easy! Yum!!
Sweetphi says
YUM, super easy and delicious! I love a good shrimp-garlic-butter and lemon!
Jennifer Shafer says
This recipe sounds great – I will have to try it!
There is one recipe that I always make on nights that I just don’t know what to cook… that is usually when the meal-prepped food runs low and I need to do another grocery trip. It’s easy, customizable, and uses ingredients that I usually have on hand.
I sauté garlic, shallot, and a bit of red pepper flakes in a little oil and once they start smelling good I add the shrimp (usually defrosted from the freezer). After the shrimp cook mostly through I add some white wine- if I have an open bottle- or broth (chicken or vegetable). I let that reduce for a few minutes. Then I add lemon zest, juice, and a handful of spinach- or any green veg hanging out in the fridge. If I’m feeling like I didn’t go overboard that day- I also add a pat of butter to the pan. This goes over whole wheat pasta, rice, quinoa, or whole wheat orzo- whatever I have left from my batch cooking. Or in a pinch- frozen or microwavable rice. I throw some feta or parmesan on top and dinner is done.
Sweetphi says
Oh yum, I love the way you prepare shrimp, thank you for sharing the recipe!!
Denise L says
This shrimp pesto looks great! I will definitely try it. Shrimp can be such a delicious quick dinner so I usually just toss shrimp with olive oil and garlic, a few Italian seasonings, then bake on a sheet pan. I serve it over a salad and with rice. It is so versatile.
Sweetphi says
I love hearing how you prepare shrimp, sounds easy and delicious!
Linda Bick says
sounds yummy! I love your Thai shrimp dish!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much – the Thai shrimp is one of my faves too!!
Monica M says
This one sounds yummy, may have to try it with Gluten Free Pasta.
One of my favorite Shrimp dishes is your Thai Shrimp recipe. It is so simple to make and love the flavor.
Sweetphi says
I think it would be great with gluten free pasta! And I love hearing that you enjoy that Thai shrimp dish, it’s so good, we love it for dinner too!
Susan Craig says
We love shrimp cocktail for a special treat.
Sweetphi says
I love shrimp cocktail too – I always have it on New Years!
KristyB says
I love super simple shrimp – steamed with Old Bay seasoning. Tastes like childhood trips to the Delaware shore 🙂
Sweetphi says
Yum, that sounds super delicious. Sometimes the simplest things are just the best!
Mary W says
Our family loves shrimp tacos with homemade slaw. I can make the slaw ahead of time with green and purple cabbage and carrots. We make a build your own taco spread using shrimp, slaw, avocado slices, sour cream and cheese, A squeeze of fresh lime and you’re in heaven!
Sweetphi says
Oh my goodness, those tacos sound delicious – and I love the idea of the build your own tacos!