A Delicious and Easy Summer Seafood Recipe: Creamy Pesto Shrimp Pasta
The beauty of Creamy Pesto Shrimp Pasta is that it combines fresh, high-quality ingredients into a dish that comes together in just 30 minutes. With shrimp, Pistachio Pea Pesto, and bow-tie pasta, this Italian Cuisine-inspired Main Course is perfect for a weeknight family dinner or casual summer gathering.
The Foundation: A Unique and Flavorful Pistachio Pea Pesto
At the heart of this recipe lies a pesto unlike your standard basil variety. By blending pistachios and green peas into a creamy sauce, the Pistachio Pea Pesto delivers layers of nutty and sweet flavor to each bite.
Pistachios add richness from their healthy fats and distinct toasted notes. They’re additionally an less costly alternative to pricier nuts like pine nuts in pesto.
Green peas provide a burst of colorful coloration and signature springtime taste, especially whilst freshly shelled or frozen. Their natural starch helps create a lush pesto without the need for extra olive oil.
| Ingredient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Pistachios | Flavor, texture, healthy fats |
| Peas | Color, sweetness, thickness |
| Olive oil | Carrier for flavors |
| Garlic | Aromatic backbone |
| Parmesan | Salty savoriness |
| Herbs | Freshness, aroma |
By making your own Fresh Pesto, you have full control over the ingredients. Sense loose to test with nut or herb substitutions primarily based on tastes and what’s available domestically.
Some options to bear in mind include almonds, hazelnuts, basil, mint or arugula. Just be sure to retain the pasta-clinging qualities of the starch from peas.
Simply Shrimp
No need to overcomplicate the protein for this Summer Pasta dish. Shrimp are a naturally lean and mild-flavored choice that let the pesto shine through. Look for fresh or previously frozen shrimp that are peeled and deveined for an easy weeknight prep.
As for size, anything from 31-40 shrimp per pound will work well paired with pasta. Larger sizes may be better left whole, while smaller can be halved or quartered if preferred. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil for par-cooking shrimp just until opaque and curled, about 1-2 minutes.
Drain and set aside. This step is optional but helps ensure the shrimp won’t overcook later when tossed with the hot pasta.
Instead of pan-frying in butter which can become greasy, consider quickly Searing shrimp in a small amount of EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) just until pink and curled, about 2 minutes total. This allows them to develop nice color and flavor while retaining moisture.
Pasta Perfect
When it comes to Italian Cuisine, nothing pairs with pesto quite like bowtie or farfalle pasta. Their slight curvature and ridges give plenty of surface area to cling to the herbed sauce. Feel free to substitute other short shapes like penne, fusilli or orecchiette if desired.
For al dente texture and efficient cooking, be sure not to overcrowd the pasta water. Use a generous amount of salt in the boiling water as this helps season the pasta throughout. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
When recommending doneness timings, it’s better to suggest testing a piece rather than quoting minutes, as conditions can vary stove to stove. Drain pasta briefly to remove surface water before tossing with sauce.
Retaining a bit of the pasta water is key, as its starch helps emulsify and lightly coat each strand without needing extra Olive Oil. About 1/4 cup should do the trick.
Assembling the Dish of CREAMY PESTO SHRIMP PASTA
Time to put it all together into a unified creamy, herbed mixture:
- In a large serving bowl, combine the Pistachio Pea Pesto, cooked shrimp, and hot drained pasta.
- Add a splash of pasta cooking water and gently toss everything together until fully coated.
- Taste and season further with salt, pepper or red pepper flakes as desired.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan Cheese, fresh parsley or basil.
The residual heat from the pasta will help warm through the pesto without overcooking delicate ingredients like shrimp. Enjoy right away or allow to cool slightly before serving.
Nutritional Breakdown
Being prepared with healthy ingredients, this Main Course is certainly fit for summer dining:
- Calories: 410
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 49g
- Fiber: 6g
- Fat: 13g
Packed with protein and desirable fat from shrimp and nuts, fiber-rich carbs from pasta, and antioxidants from herbs – it actually is a balanced meal. feel unfastened to feature sliced cherry tomatoes, diced avocado or mixed veggies for additional vitamins and minerals.
Cooking Pro-tips about CREAMY PESTO SHRIMP PASTA
- Make pesto up to 3 days ahead to allow flavors to develop
- Blanch and shock peas for the brightest color and sweetest taste
- Sear shrimp just until opaque, not rubbery or overcooked
- Reserve pasta water judiciously to bind sauce without dilution
- Keep portions modest for a light yet satisfying meal
With some practice, this recipe comes together in 30 minutes flat whether cooking for two or a crowd. Batch cooking components makes meal prep quicker on busy nights too.
The Affordability of ingredients like peas versus pricier seafood ensures it remains pocketbook-friendly for regular weeknight enjoyment all summer long.
More Quick Pasta Recipes to Enjoy!
Whether you need more Italian Recipes for summer or just can’t get enough fresh pesto, consider trying these other 30-minute pasta dishes:
Lemony Shrimp and Asparagus Orzo
- Quick sauté shrimp and asparagus, toss with orzo and lemon-butter sauce
Zucchini “Noodles” with Prawns
- Spiralize zucchini into “noodles”, toss with chili-garlic butter sautéed prawns
Arugula Walnut Pesto Chicken Pasta
- Light and protein-packed with chicken, arugula pesto and toasted walnuts
Sausage and Kale Pasta
- Hearty one-pot pasta with sweet Italian sausage, kale and creamy Parmesan
Tomato and Basil Shrimp Scampi
- Seasonal classic of shrimp, tomatoes and basil in a light garlic-wine sauce
Conclusion about CREAMY PESTO SHRIMP PASTA
So in summary – whether enjoying Creamy Pesto Shrimp Pasta itself or exploring more Italian Cuisine recipes, this style of simple fresh Pasta dishes makes for the ultimate easy and satisfying Summer Seafood Recipe.
I hope you and yours find just as much enjoyment around the table! Let me know if any other questions come up.
