10+ Pesto Pasta Recipes Shrimp for a Delicious Seafood Treat

If you love pasta and seafood, you’re in for a treat. Pesto pasta recipes with shrimp are a delightful way to combine savory flavors and fresh ingredients for a quick meal. Whether you’re preparing dinner for your family or hosting friends, these dishes are sure to impress.

With the vibrant taste of basil pesto and the succulent texture of shrimp, you can create a satisfying meal that is both easy and delicious. You will find that these recipes offer great options for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Classic Pesto Shrimp Pasta

Classic pesto shrimp pasta is a delightful dish that combines the fresh taste of pesto with tender shrimp and pasta. You can have this meal ready in around 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights.

To start, cook your favorite pasta according to the package instructions. You can use spaghetti, linguine, or any shape you like. While the pasta cooks, prepare a quick basil pesto. Blend fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese until smooth.

In a skillet, heat a bit of oil over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Toss in the cooked pasta and stir in the pesto until everything is evenly coated.

Serve your classic pesto shrimp pasta warm. You can top it with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh basil for a nice touch.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
2. Blend basil, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan in a blender.
3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
4. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side.
5. Toss cooked pasta and pesto with the shrimp. Serve warm.

2) Creamy Avocado Pesto with Shrimp

Creamy avocado pesto is a rich and tasty twist on traditional pesto. It’s easy to make and pairs perfectly with shrimp for a delightful meal.

To start, you will blend ripe avocados, fresh basil, roasted garlic, and a bit of lemon juice until smooth. This creamy sauce adds a wonderful flavor to your pasta.

Cook your shrimp in a skillet until they are pink and cooked through. Combine the shrimp with your pasta and toss in the avocado pesto. It’s a quick dinner idea that is both satisfying and healthy.

Ingredients

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves roasted garlic
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 ounces pasta of your choice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a blender, combine avocados, basil, garlic, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
3. In a skillet, cook shrimp over medium heat until pink.
4. Toss cooked pasta with avocado pesto and shrimp.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

3) Lemon Basil Pesto Shrimp Spaghetti

This Lemon Basil Pesto Shrimp Spaghetti is a delightful meal that brings together fresh flavors with ease. You’ll love how quickly it comes together!

Start by cooking your spaghetti according to package instructions. While that’s happening, heat some olive oil in a pan. Add garlic and sauté it until fragrant. Then, toss in peeled and deveined shrimp. Cook until they turn pink.

Next, combine the cooked spaghetti with your homemade or store-bought lemon basil pesto. The bright taste of lemon and basil will elevate your dish. Mix in the shrimp and give it a good toss.

For a finishing touch, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice enhances the flavor.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces spaghetti
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 large cloves garlic, sliced
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ¾ cup basil pesto
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Salt, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté garlic.
3. Add shrimp, cooking until pink.
4. Combine spaghetti and pesto in the pan.
5. Stir in shrimp and lemon juice, then serve.

4) Spicy Pesto Shrimp Linguine

Spicy Pesto Shrimp Linguine is a delicious and quick meal. You’ll enjoy the bold flavors of pesto combined with tender shrimp and al dente linguine.

Start by cooking the linguine according to package instructions. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes for a little kick. Cook until the shrimp turn pink.

Next, stir in your favorite pesto and a splash of white wine to deglaze the pan. Let it simmer for a few minutes for the flavors to meld. Finally, toss in the linguine with a bit of reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce.

Garnish with parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces linguine
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup pesto
• 1/4 cup white wine
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese for serving

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook linguine according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add shrimp, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook until pink.
4. Stir in pesto and white wine, and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
5. Toss the linguine with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed.
6. Garnish with parsley and Parmesan cheese before serving.

Pesto Shrimp Penne with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Pesto shrimp penne with sun-dried tomatoes is a delicious and easy dish to make. The combination of pesto and shrimp adds great flavor to the pasta. Sun-dried tomatoes bring a lovely sweetness that balances everything out.

Start by cooking the penne pasta in salted boiling water until it’s al dente. While the pasta cooks, sauté shrimp in olive oil until they are pink and cooked through.

Once the shrimp are ready, mix in the sun-dried tomatoes and your favorite pesto sauce. Combine this mixture with the drained pasta and stir until everything is well-coated.

This dish can be served warm or at room temperature. You can add Parmesan cheese on top for an extra treat. Enjoy your flavorful meal!

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup pesto sauce
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Boil water in a large pot and add salt.
2. Cook the penne pasta until al dente, then drain.
3. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
4. Add shrimp; season with salt and pepper, and sauté until pink.
5. Mix in sun-dried tomatoes and pesto sauce.
6. Combine with cooked pasta, stirring well.
7. Serve warm, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

6) Garlic Pesto Shrimp Fettuccine

Garlic Pesto Shrimp Fettuccine is a quick and tasty dish. You can whip it up in about 30 minutes. The flavors of garlic and pesto really shine in this meal.

Start by cooking shrimp in a skillet with olive oil until they turn pink. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes on each side. Once cooked, set them aside.

In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for a minute. Add cooked fettuccine and pesto to the pan. Toss everything together until well combined. Finally, add the shrimp back in for the last minute of cooking.

This dish is best served hot, garnished with more pesto or grated cheese if you like. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 8 ounces fettuccine
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup basil pesto
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook fettuccine according to package instructions.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
3. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 2-3 minutes per side.
4. Remove shrimp and set them aside.
5. In the same skillet, sauté garlic for 1 minute.
6. Add cooked fettuccine and pesto, and mix well.
7. Return shrimp to the pan and cook for 1 more minute.

7) Spinach Pesto with Grilled Shrimp

Spinach pesto with grilled shrimp is a tasty dish that’s easy to make. The creamy pesto paired with the smoky shrimp creates a delightful flavor. You’ll love how quick this dish comes together.

To start, gather your ingredients. Fresh spinach, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese blend into a smooth pesto. Add grilled shrimp for protein.

Cook your shrimp on the grill or in a skillet. They need just a few minutes until they turn pink and are cooked through. Toss the cooked pasta with your spinach pesto and top it with the shrimp.

This dish is perfect for any night of the week. It’s healthy, filling, and sure to impress your family or friends.

Pesto Shrimp and Zucchini Noodles

Pesto shrimp and zucchini noodles are a delicious and healthy meal. This recipe is quick and easy, perfect for busy nights. You can have dinner ready in about 20 minutes.

To start, spiralize fresh zucchini to create “zoodles.” They are a great low-carb substitute for pasta. You can sauté the zoodles in olive oil for a few minutes until they are tender.

Next, cook shrimp in a separate pan. Season them with salt and pepper. Once they turn pink, mix them with the sautéed zucchini and add your favorite basil pesto. This brings all the flavors together beautifully.

You can add cherry tomatoes for extra flavor and nutrition. Serve it warm, and enjoy your tasty meal!

Ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchinis
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup basil pesto
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: cherry tomatoes

Cooking Instructions:

1. Spiralize zucchinis to make zoodles.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (375°F / 190°C).
3. Sauté zoodles for 3-4 minutes until tender.
4. Cook shrimp in another pan with salt and pepper until pink.
5. Combine shrimp, zoodles, and pesto.
6. Serve warm, adding cherry tomatoes if desired.

9) Cilantro Pesto Shrimp Tacos

Cilantro pesto shrimp tacos are a tasty twist for taco night. The fresh flavors of cilantro and shrimp create a delicious combination.

For this recipe, you’ll want to use large shrimp that are peeled and deveined. The shrimp are cooked in a drizzle of olive oil, with a bit of salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.

Adding toppings like crumbled cotija cheese, red cabbage, and sliced avocado gives these tacos a fresh crunch. A dollop of sour cream adds a nice creamy element.

These tacos are not only easy to make but also perfect for game nights or casual dinners with friends.

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Drizzle of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
• Finely shredded red cabbage
• 1 avocado, sliced or cubed
• Chopped cilantro
• Optional: jalapeño, finely chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Drizzle olive oil in the skillet.
3. Add shrimp, seasoning with salt and pepper.
4. Cook until shrimp are no longer pink, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Assemble tacos with shrimp and toppings in tortillas.

Pesto Shrimp Orzo Salad

This Pesto Shrimp Orzo Salad is a bright and refreshing dish, perfect for any occasion. You’ll love how simple it is to prepare.

Start by cooking orzo pasta according to the package instructions. While the orzo cooks, sauté shrimp with some olive oil until they turn pink.

Next, mix in fresh tomatoes, which add a burst of flavor. A generous scoop of pesto ties everything together nicely. You can use homemade pesto or store-bought for convenience.

Top it off with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for added richness. This salad is delightful served warm or chilled.

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 12 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup pesto
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the orzo pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. This should take about 8-10 minutes.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (375°F / 190°C).
3. Add the shrimp and cook for about 3-4 minutes until they turn pink.
4. Stir in cherry tomatoes and pesto, cooking for another 2 minutes.
5. Mix in the cooked orzo and season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.