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Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Pesto Pasta with Shrimp

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A quick and easy creamy sun-dried tomato basil pesto pasta with seared shrimp, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that feels fancy but comes together in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ½ cup (about 50 g) sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained
  • 1 cup packed (about 30 g) fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup (30 g) toasted pine nuts
  • ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil, plus more for cooking shrimp
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 12 oz penne according to package instructions until al dente (about 10-12 minutes). Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water. Set pasta aside.
  2. Make the pesto: In a food processor, combine ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, 1 cup fresh basil, ¼ cup toasted pine nuts, 3 minced garlic cloves, and ½ cup grated Parmesan. Pulse until coarsely blended. Add 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp lemon juice, then pulse until smooth but still slightly textured. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Cook the shrimp: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tbsp olive oil. Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  4. Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet, lower heat to medium and add the pesto mixture. Stir in ¾ cup heavy cream and reserved pasta water to loosen sauce to desired consistency. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until warmed through and slightly thickened.
  5. Combine and serve: Return shrimp to the skillet, toss well with the sauce. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for smoother pesto. Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubberiness. Add pasta water gradually to adjust sauce consistency. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: sun-dried tomato pesto, creamy pasta, shrimp pasta, basil pesto, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://recipebelle.com/creamy-sun-dried-tomato-basil-pesto-pasta-with-shrimp-easy-recipe/