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Pesto Shrimp Scampi with Pasta: A Flavorful & Effortless Weeknight Delight

Prepare to fall instantly in love with this exquisite Pesto Shrimp Scampi recipe, perfectly paired with your favorite pasta. It’s a truly delicious and surprisingly light meal that promises to become a family favorite, earning rave reviews and requests for seconds. Effortless to prepare and brimming with fresh, vibrant flavors, this dish is ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. Serve it alongside a crisp, large salad or a medley of your favorite steamed vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal that truly sings with the taste of summer.

Mastering the Art of Pesto Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Shrimp holds a special place in my culinary repertoire, consistently featuring on my menu for its incredible versatility and light, fresh appeal. This lean protein is not only low in fat but also high in protein, making it a truly guilt-free indulgence that adapts beautifully to a myriad of flavor profiles. If, like me, you appreciate incorporating shrimp into your meals, then this show-stopping Pesto Shrimp Scampi pasta recipe is destined to become a cherished new addition to your collection.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this dish is how quickly it comes together – often in under 30 minutes! This makes it an absolute lifesaver on those bustling days when time is a luxury, yet you still desire to serve a healthy, homemade, and utterly satisfying dinner. Forget takeout; with this recipe, a gourmet-quality meal is just minutes away.

Choosing the Best Shrimp for Your Scampi

Selecting the right shrimp is crucial for achieving the perfect Pesto Shrimp Scampi. For this particular recipe, I highly recommend using small to medium-sized shrimp. The reason is simple: smaller shrimp ensure that each forkful of pasta comes with a perfectly bite-sized piece of succulent shrimp, eliminating the need for any awkward cutting with a knife or fork. This enhances the overall eating experience, allowing you to savor the harmonious blend of flavors in every mouthful.

When you’re at the seafood counter, don’t hesitate to ask your fishmonger to peel and devein the shrimp for you. This simple request can save you a significant amount of preparation time in your kitchen, making the cooking process even more streamlined. If fresh shrimp aren’t readily available or if you simply prefer the convenience, frozen shrimp are an excellent alternative. Look for packages that clearly state “peeled and deveined” to further reduce your prep work. Once thawed, a quick rinse under cold water is all that’s needed before they’re ready to be tossed into your vibrant pesto sauce.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought Pesto: Your Choice

The heart of any truly exceptional Pesto Shrimp Scampi lies in its pesto sauce. While I absolutely adore the unparalleled freshness and vibrant flavor of homemade pesto, I understand that life can be busy. If you find yourself without fresh basil, or if you already have a trusted brand of ready-made pesto that you love, please don’t hesitate to use a jar of sauce instead of making it from scratch. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. Just because I prefer a homemade rendition doesn’t mean it’s the only path to a delicious meal. If you opt for store-bought pesto, you’ll simply skip the step of preparing the pesto from scratch in the recipe instructions below, saving you valuable time without compromising on taste.

Selecting the Ideal Pasta for Shrimp Scampi

The pasta component of your Pesto Shrimp Scampi is more than just a vehicle for the sauce; it’s an integral part of the dish’s texture and overall appeal. For this recipe, I often choose a robust, thick linguine. I find that its hearty strands perfectly complement the delicate lightness of the shrimp and the richness of the pesto. However, personal preference plays a huge role here. If you’re a fan of the classic thinness of spaghetti, the delicate elegance of angel hair, or even a smaller, more textured pasta shape like rigatoni or penne, feel absolutely free to use what you love most. While the sauce and shrimp are the stars, the pasta provides the perfect canvas. The most important tip for an elevated experience? Try using fresh pasta instead of a dried box of pasta. Fresh pasta offers a superior texture and an even more authentic flavor that truly takes this dish to the next level.

How to Create the Perfect Pesto Shrimp Scampi with Pasta

Crafting this Pesto Shrimp Scampi is a delightful culinary journey that yields impressive results with minimal effort. While the complete, printable recipe card with exact measurements is provided further below, let’s explore some essential tips and the straightforward steps involved in bringing this incredible dish to life.

Essential Pesto Shrimp Scampi Ingredients

Here’s a closer look at the key ingredients that form the backbone of this mouthwatering scampi, along with thoughtful substitutions to suit your pantry and preferences:

Pesto: For homemade pesto, you’ll need fresh basil leaves, fragrant garlic, buttery pine nuts, high-quality olive oil, and grated Parmesan cheese. If time is of the essence or fresh basil isn’t available, a good quality jarred pesto is a perfectly acceptable and delicious shortcut.
Shrimp: Opt for small to medium-sized raw shrimp, ensuring they are peeled and deveined for ease of eating and preparation. This size allows for perfect bite-sized pieces with every forkful.
Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the entire dish, adding a crucial zing. In a pinch, bottled lemon juice can be used, but fresh offers a superior flavor.
Parsley: Fresh chopped parsley adds a beautiful herbaceous note and color. If using dried parsley, remember that its flavor is more concentrated, so use a slightly lesser amount or a tad more if you prefer a stronger herb presence.
Pasta: Linguine is my go-to for its hearty texture, but feel free to substitute with angel hair pasta, fettuccine, or even spaghetti for a classic twist.
Aromatics & Spices: Beyond the garlic in the pesto, extra minced garlic, a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, and salt and freshly ground black pepper are essential for seasoning.
Broth: A touch of chicken broth helps to create a luscious pan sauce and bind the flavors together. Vegetable broth can be used for a pescatarian option.

Seamless Shrimp Scampi Cooking Tips

Prepare Your Pasta: Begin by cooking your chosen pasta according to package directions. The goal is perfectly “al dente” – tender but still firm to the bite. Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving about ½ cup of the starchy pasta water (this will be your secret ingredient for a silky sauce!). Return the drained pasta to its pot, cover, and set aside to keep warm.
Craft Your Pesto (if homemade): If you’re making pesto from scratch, combine the basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese in a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped and just combined. With the processor still running, slowly drizzle in ½ cup of olive oil until the mixture forms a smooth, vibrant green pesto. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If using jarred pesto, simply skip this step and set your chosen pesto aside.
Sauté the Shrimp: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp, along with a pinch of red pepper flakes for a hint of warmth. Cook the shrimp for just 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan, as this can steam the shrimp instead of searing them. Cook in batches if necessary.
Build the Scampi Sauce: Once the shrimp are perfectly cooked, pour in the chicken broth and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Let it simmer gently for another minute or two, allowing the flavors to meld and the shrimp to absorb some of the delicious liquid. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the fresh chopped parsley. Keep the shrimp and sauce warm over very low heat while you combine the pasta.
Combine and Serve: Add your prepared pesto sauce directly into the pot with the cooked pasta. Toss vigorously to ensure every strand is beautifully coated with the fragrant green sauce. If the sauce seems a little thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water to achieve a perfect, glossy consistency. Finally, gently fold in the cooked shrimp and the pan sauce from the skillet, tossing everything together until well combined.

Serve your Pesto Shrimp Scampi immediately, garnished with a generous grind of fresh black pepper, a sprinkle of extra fresh parsley, or a dusting of grated Parmesan cheese for an irresistible finish. This dish is best enjoyed fresh, allowing the vibrant flavors to shine through.

More Irresistible Shrimp Recipes to Explore

If you’ve discovered a newfound appreciation for shrimp (or simply want to expand your repertoire), you’re in luck! Shrimp is truly the perfect protein for fast, healthy, and incredibly flavorful weeknight meals. Explore this fantastic list of delicious ways to serve shrimp to your family:

Shrimp and Vegetable Skillet
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Southwest Shrimp Pasta
Creamy Shrimp Penne Pasta with Red Pepper Sauce
Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Spaghetti
Chili Lime Shrimp Taco

If you try this delightful Pesto Shrimp Scampi recipe and love it as much as we do, please share your culinary creations with me on INSTAGRAM using my hashtag for a chance to be featured! You can also follow me at Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST for all my latest social posts, kitchen tips, and delicious recipes.

Pesto Shrimp Scampi

By: Mariam Ezzeddine

You will instantly fall in love with this Pesto Shrimp Scampi recipe complete with pasta. A light and delicious meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. Serve with your favorite steamed vegetables or a nice large salad for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup basil leaves
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/3 cup pinenuts
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp olive oil
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup chicken broth
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tsp chopped parsley
1 package linguine
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook linguine according to package instructions until al dente. When cooked, drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water, and add back to the pot, cover and set aside.
In a food processor, combine basil, garlic, pinenuts, and parmesan cheese. Puree until combined. As the food processor continues to run, slowly drizzle in ½ cup olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Skip this step if using jarred pesto).
In a medium skillet over medium heat, warm 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add shrimp with a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook until shrimp turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes.
Add broth and lemon juice to the skillet. Simmer for a couple of minutes until the shrimp are cooked through and the sauce slightly reduces. Remove from heat and stir in parsley.
Stir the prepared pesto into the pasta and toss to coat evenly. Add the cooked shrimp and the pan sauce to the pasta and toss everything together gently until well combined. Serve immediately.

Notes

Try using fresh pasta instead of a dried box of pasta for even more authentic flavor and better texture.
In a pinch, you can use good quality jarred pesto.
Using small shrimp means you’ll get nice bite-sized shrimp without a lot of cutting!
I like to top this with a bit of freshly ground black pepper and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or extra Parmesan cheese for garnish.
Use enough cold, fresh water when boiling pasta. Once the pasta begins to cook and expand, there should still be plenty of room for the noodles to move freely to prevent sticking.
As soon as you drop your pasta in the water, stir it. This prevents the pasta from sticking together, or to the bottom or sides of the pot. Stir occasionally during the cooking process.
Drain your pasta enough to remove most of the water, but don’t let drained pasta sit and “dry off”. As it cools, the starches will firm up and the pasta will stick together.

Nutrition Facts

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