Imagine twirling your fork into a vibrant, emerald-green pasta dish that's bursting with fresh flavors and restaurant-worthy elegance - all prepared in just 25 minutes! This Spinach Pesto Pasta with Shrimp is not just a meal, it's a culinary adventure that transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet experience. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or treat yourself to a quick yet luxurious weeknight dinner, this recipe promises to elevate your cooking game and tantalize your taste buds with its perfect blend of creamy pesto, tender shrimp, and al dente pasta.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 cup spinach
- 1/2 cup basil
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- While pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine spinach, basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and half of the olive oil. Pulse until ingredients are finely chopped and well combined.
- Gradually drizzle remaining olive oil into the pesto mixture while processing until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large skillet, heat a small amount of olive oil over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
- Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and are just cooked through. Be careful not to overcook.
- Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- In a large serving bowl, toss the hot pasta with the spinach pesto, adding reserved pasta water if needed to help sauce coat the pasta evenly.
- Gently fold in the cooked shrimp, ensuring they are well distributed throughout the pasta.
- Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Tips
- For the most vibrant pesto, use fresh spinach and basil leaves at their peak freshness.
- Toast pine nuts lightly before blending to enhance their nutty flavor.
- Don't overcook the shrimp - they should be just pink and slightly curled.
- Reserve some pasta water to help the pesto sauce coat the pasta smoothly.
- Use high-quality Parmesan cheese for the most authentic flavor.
- For extra richness, add a small splash of heavy cream to the pesto.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the optimal texture and temperature of the dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 550kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 220mg
