Speedy Shrimp & Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta (Ready in 30!)

Recipe Introduction

Fancy a cracking dinner that's ready faster than you can say "bobbins"? ever wondered how to bring a taste of italy to your table without spending hours in the kitchen? our speedy shrimp pesto pasta is your new best mate.

It’s quick, easy, and bursting with flavour that’ll knock your socks off. honestly, it's that good.

A Whiff of Italy on a Weeknight

This delightful dish draws inspiration from the sun-kissed shores of italy. the shrimp pesto pasta recipe is a modern take on classic flavors.

This easy shrimp pasta combines fresh pesto with succulent shrimp. it's a culinary hug that is ready in just 25 minutes .

Perfect for busy weeknights! this makes 6 generous servings, enough to feed the whole family or have leftovers for lunch.

Benefits Galore of shrimp pesto pasta recipe

Not only is it delicious, but this recipe packs a punch in the nutrition department. shrimp are a great source of lean protein, while pesto adds healthy fats and vibrant antioxidants.

This seafood pesto pasta is ideal for a quick weeknight pasta meals . this recipe is special because it balances speed and flavor without compromising on quality.

Its simplicity makes it feel like a hug in a bowl.

The secret is in how quickly shrimp cook. we're talking 3 minutes , tops! don’t overcook them or they become rubbery like an old wellington boot.

Trust me, you don't want that. let’s get to the ingredients, shall we? this 30-minute pasta recipe might become your new favourite.

Enjoy it with a little vino!

Speedy Shrimp & Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta (Ready in 30!) Recipe Card

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Preparation time:10 Mins

Cooking time:15 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 box (16 oz/450g) bowtie (farfalle) or trottole pasta
• 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 1/2 tbsp pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
• 1 tsp capers, drained
• 1/4 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic salt
• 2 1/2 oz (70g) Romano cheese, Asiago cheese, or a combination of both, grated
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

• Fill a large saucepan with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, pepper, and garlic salt. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
• Stir the capers into the pesto sauce.
• Lightly season the shrimp with salt and pepper.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente (usually about 8-10 minutes).
• Add the seasoned shrimp to the pesto sauce in the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Don't overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
• Drain the pasta using a colander, reserving about 1/2 cup (120ml) of the pasta water. Return the drained pasta to the saucepan. Add the shrimp and pesto sauce to the saucepan with the pasta. Stir gently to combine, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to create a creamy sauce.
• Stir in half of the grated cheese until melted and incorporated.
• Serve the pasta immediately, topped with the remaining grated cheese.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450-500

Fat:20-25g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Italian

Ingredients & Equipment for Speedy shrimp pesto pasta

Ready to rustle up this speedy shrimp pesto pasta ? First, we need to gather the bits. Honestly , you might already have some of this knocking about!

Main Ingredients Deconstructed

• Pasta: 1 box (16 oz/450g) of farfalle, also known as bowtie. Or trottole!
• Shrimp: 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and ready to rock.
• Pesto: 2 1/2 tbsp . Go shop-bought, or homemade if you're feeling it .
• Sun-dried tomatoes: 1 tbsp , oil-packed is grand. Drain before chopping.
• Capers: 1 tsp .
• Basil: 1/4 tsp of the dried stuff.
• Pepper: 1/4 tsp standard black.
• Garlic salt: 1/4 tsp .
• Cheese: 2 1/2 oz (70g) Romano, Asiago, or even a mix!
• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons .
• Salt: To taste, duh .

For the shrimp, look for firm flesh, and a fresh, ocean-y smell. Avoid anything fishy! That’s a massive red flag.

Seasoning Notes: Pesto Perfection

Pesto is the star. the basil, garlic, and pine nut combo is bang on! the sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet tang.

If you don't have basil, oregano works in a pinch. for a bolder flavor, try adding a squeeze of lemon juice.

Oh my gosh , i totally forgot chili flakes. adding a pinch is great.

Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple

• Large saucepan: For the pasta, obviously.
• Large skillet: Or sauté pan. Shrimp’s new home.
• Colander: Drain the pasta, mate .
• Grater: For the cheese, you know?

Don't have a skillet? A large frying pan will do. No colander? Use a large sieve or carefully drain the pasta while leaving the easy shrimp pasta at the bottom. Sorted .

I remember one time. i tried making pesto pasta for a date and totally forgot the garlic. the shame ! learn from my mistakes, folks.

This shrimp pesto pasta recipe and especially with pesto pasta with sun-dried tomatoes is perfect for a quick pasta dinners , it takes just around 30-minute pasta recipe ! i will use a farfalle pasta recipe but any shape will work.

Weeknight pasta meals will never be the same after this.

Cooking Method for Speedy Shrimp Pesto Pasta

Okay, lets dive into how to make this speedy shrimp pesto pasta. it is so easy. seriously, you'll be like "oh my gosh, why didn't i make this sooner?" it's perfect for those weeknight pasta meals when you are starving.

Prep Like a Pro

First, let’s talk prep. this is the secret to a quick pasta dinners , honestly! get all your ingredients out.

Chop those sun-dried tomatoes. measure out your cheese. this mise en place is key. time-saving tip? buy pre-peeled and deveined shrimp.

Seriously, do it. also, when draining the capers, just shake them really hard.

Step-by-Step: Pasta Perfection

Ready to cook? Here’s the lowdown:

1. Boil water. Add pasta. Get that 16 oz pasta cooking al dente following package directions.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in pan. Add 2 1/2 tablespoons pesto, 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon basil, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt. Simmer for a 2- 3 minutes until it smells amazing.
3. Add those 1 teaspoon drained capers to the pesto sauce.
4. Season shrimp lightly with salt and pepper.
5. Add 1 lb shrimp to pesto sauce. Cook for 2- 3 minutes per side. Until pink and opaque.
6. Drain pasta. Reserve some pasta water.
7. Combine pasta, shrimp, and sauce. Use pasta water for creamy sauce.
8. Stir in half the cheese ( about 2 1/2 oz ), then serve with more cheese on top.

Pro Tips for Italian shrimp pasta

Want to level up your seafood pesto pasta game? here’s how! common mistake? overcooking the shrimp! it becomes rubbery. nobody wants that! solution? cook just until pink.

Trust me. also, don’t skip reserving the pasta water. it makes all the difference in sauce consistency. add it little by little until your sauce is creamy.

You know the sort of creamy you expect of a pesto pasta. one last thing, make ahead tip? you can make the pesto sauce a day in advance.

Store it in the fridge. that way, your speedy shrimp pesto pasta comes together even faster! and if you want to adapt this to a shrimp pesto pasta recipe , you can swap out the sundried tomatoes for 1/2 cup of chopped fresh tomatoes, or even add 1/4 cup of cream to make it even more decadent, or adjust the cheese if you like something different such as grana padano.

There, you have several easy shrimp pasta recipe variants!

Alright, let's chat about this speedy shrimp pesto pasta recipe. we are gonna dig into some key bits that will turn you into a pesto pasta pro! honestly, it's easier than ordering a takeaway and way more satisfying.

Recipe Notes: Level Up Your Pasta Game

Serving It Up Right

Okay, so you've made this amazing shrimp pesto pasta recipe, now what? presentation is key! first, twirl that pasta into a beautiful nest on the plate.

Then, artfully arrange the plump, pink shrimp on top. i like to finish with a sprinkle more of the grated romano or asiago – because, cheese!

As for sides? a simple green salad with a zingy lemon vinaigrette is chef's kiss . or, if you are feeling extra, some crusty garlic bread will soak up all that delicious sauce.

Wine-wise, a crisp pinot grigio is a total winner with this dish.

Storage Secrets

Got leftovers? lucky you! refrigerate any leftover pesto pasta with sun-dried tomatoes in an airtight container. it'll be good for about 3 days.

To reheat, either microwave it for a minute or two or gently warm it up in a pan on the hob with a splash of water, so it doesn't dry out.

Freezing? i wouldn't recommend it. the pasta can get a bit mushy. but hey, if you must, make sure it's completely cooled before freezing.

Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat thoroughly.

Remixing the Recipe: Variations

Fancy a change? Let's talk about some variations for this Easy shrimp pasta .

First, ditch the shrimp for cannellini beans if you are going veggie. it's still utterly delicious! want some heat? chuck in 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes when you are simmering the pesto.

Seriously, it is gorgeous. for a brighter flavour, add some lemon zest! and if you need it gluten-free, just swap for gluten-free pasta.

Job done!

Nutrition Lowdown: The Basics

So, what's the deal with the nutrition in this quick pasta dinners? each serving clocks in at around 450-500 calories.

You are getting a decent hit of protein (35-40g) from the shrimp and cheese, which is great for muscle building.

You are also getting around 20-25g of fat and 45-50g of carbs.

But remember, these are just estimates. use this 30-minute pasta recipe as a base, play around with ingredients, and enjoy! cooking should be fun and you are italian shrimp pasta is gonna be a delight.

Honestly, give this speedy shrimp pesto pasta a go, and you won't be disappointed. it's the perfect weeknight pasta meals solution, ready in a flash and bursting with flavour.

Happy cooking!