Shrimp Pesto Pasta is a super quick weeknight dinner that’s filled with buttery zucchini, tender shrimp and hot pasta that’s tossed in a homemade pesto sauce.
Shrimp Pesto Pasta
Shrimp Pesto Pasta is a recipe that’s been on my site since 2010, but hasn’t gotten much attention because the photos were less than desirable.
I love bringing old recipes to life with beautiful photographs. It will finally give this easy pasta dish it’s time to shine. Because let’s be real… this easy dinner has it going on!
I think what I love most about this dish is that it’s filled with all the flavors of summer. I start with fresh zucchini that’s cut into sticks and sautéed in melted butter and garlic until it’s nice and tender.
Toss in a bunch of large shrimp and cook until no longer pink. You can remove the tails of the shrimp for easy eating, but I just love how you have to eat this dish with a fork and your hands. It feels so rustic and fun.
Once the pasta is cooked you’ll add some hot angel hair pasta right to the skillet.
The original recipe called for cooked ramen noodles, which would also work, but I think an angel hair pasta that’s just slightly al dente, is perfection.
Remember that Fresh Basil Pesto Sauce I shared with you the other day?
Drop a gorgeous amount of that fresh pesto in with the pasta and give it all a nice toss to evenly coat.
You guys.
Seriously.
It doesn’t get much easier than that, right?!
We make this pasta All. The. Time. and it NEVER gets old!
Recipe Tips and Variations
Here are some easy ways to jazz up this recipe and make it unique to you…
- Add more color to the dish by sautéing 1/2 red bell pepper with the zucchini
- Substitute chicken for the shrimp
- Use any type of pasta you’d like, just make sure it’s cooked al dente and not too soft
- Sprinkle a few toasted pine nuts on top for garnish
I’m positive you’re going to love this simple and easy pasta dinner!
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Shrimp Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Angel Hair pasta
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium zucchini, cut into matchstick size
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 pound large uncooked shrimp, peeled
- 2 tbsp fresh basil pesto
- Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and toss with a tiny bit of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- In a large pan, melt butter. Add garlic and zucchini, saute for 4 minutes. Move to one side of pan.
- Season shrimp with salt and pepper then add to pan and cook 2 minutes on each side. Add the hot noodles and fresh pesto directly to pan and toss with tongs to evenly combine. Top with fresh Parmesan cheese. Serve warm.
Nutrition
Originally published 8/13/2010. Updated photos on 7/7/2017.
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Strawberry Pineapple Popsicles
Renee
This was easy and delicious! Great quick weeknight meal.
Marilyn
I am looking forward to giving this a try..Looks SO GOOD…and I made some lemon basil pesto that I have in the freezer that would be perfect for this. Amazing how the mosquitos stayed away from the lemon basil growing in the garden…made you want ot linger there!
Shawn
Lemon basil would be great for this! Enjoy!
Lisa Christensen
Hi Shawn! I’ve heard that I can use pecans instead of pine nuts for the pesto. We had a pecan tree when we lived in Texas and still have a couple bags in my freezer that still taste great. What do you think?
Shawn
I think Pecans would work great! You can also try pistachios too!
Darlene
I made this Shrimp Pesto Pasta dish tonight. It was delicious. Will make it again. I added 1 whole red pepper sliced thin, and 2 extra cloves of garlic. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe and the Fresh Basil Pesto recipe. In the fresh basil pesto, I used pistachio nuts, because I didn’t have pine nuts. Turned out delicious.
Shawn
Awesome! Love the additions you made!
Kathy Anderson
I really love all your recipes it looks great to see photos with them. Keep up the
great work. America get cooking its easier than you think!
Lara
I really love shrimp in pasta. This recipe is going to be delicious.
Tricia Lee Riggio
what???your movin? where?