Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Shrimp Pasta with Cilantro Pesto Recipe
posted by Amy Johnsonon August 18, 2017 (updated Oct 18, 2021) 29 comments »
This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This Shrimp Pasta with Cilantro Pesto Recipe will surprise you at how easy it is to make. Of course, it’s delicious too.
Shrimp and pasta is one of our favorite quick go-to dishes. It is so perfect for an easy last-minute weeknight meal, yet an excellent dish for a special occasion. Plus, we usually have all ingredients on hand ready to make a variety of combinations: a box of pasta, frozen shrimp, fresh basil growing outside during the summertime, fresh cilantro during cooler months, or jarred roasted red peppers stocked during winter. There is always some sort of combination that we can toss together in a pinch. Pasta is versatile that way.
One of our favorite sauces to make for pasta is pesto. We enjoy making a variety of pesto combinations. Packed with flavor and pretty nutritional ingredients, pesto is a great sidekick for pasta. And pesto can be made ahead of time, which is always a winner in my kitchen. This recipe for Shrimp Pasta with Cilantro Pesto Recipeis easy enough for a quick weeknight meal, but impressive enough for a special dinner with friends. The pesto is made with fresh cilantro, roasted peppers and pistachios. The flavors are incredible! Of course, you can always substitute a basic basil pestoin this recipe too.
Let’s get to this easyShrimp Pasta with Cilantro Pesto Recipe. Prepare the pasta as directed on package, and don’t forget to salt the water. No oil. Just salt. Remember to reserve some of the pasta water—about a 1/2 cup.
Saute the shrimp (or chicken) in a little olive oil, salt and pepper. It only takes about 2-3 minutes for shrimp to cook. Once done, remove and set aside. Add the cilantro pesto (pesto recipe found here) and a tablespoon or so of the pasta water.
Whisk the pesto and pasta water together over low-medium heat until blended smooth. If needed add a bit more water until desired consistency is reached. Remove from heat.
Next, add the pasta and shrimp back to the pan, and gently toss the pasta with the pesto sauce and shrimp.
You’re done! That’s it. Ready to serve. Just watch it disappear right before your very eyes!
A few Shrimp Pasta with Cilantro Pesto Recipe notes:
- For this pasta dish, shrimp or chicken is a great combination with the cilantro pesto.
- Sometimes I like to splurge on good quality egg pasta. It’s so worth it. If you’ve never had egg pasta before, go find some. It’s good. Like really good. Tagliolini is my favorite noodle size. It’s like linguini but thinner. Be forewarned, it’s not cheap, but for special occasions it certainly is a nice change of pace. Of course, you could always make your own too.
- For a vegetarian version, easily substitute sautéed onions, peppers, mushrooms, or even thin fresh green beans.
- The Roasted Pepper Pistachio Cilantro Pesto can be made ahead, covered tightly and refrigerated for a couple of days. It’s a wonderful spread for bruschetta (a fancy word for toast), or crudités, or thin out with more olive oil, a smudge of lime juice and/or vinegar to make a salad dressing to accompany the pasta dish.
Shrimp Pasta with Cilantro Pesto Recipe
Shrimp Pasta with Cilantro Pesto Recipe
Yield: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
A quick and tasty recipe easy enough for any night of the week yet perfect for a special occasion meal.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces, weight pasta of choice
- 3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled (or chicken, cubed)
- pinches salt and pepper
- 1 cupRoasted Pepper Cilantro Pesto Recipe
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta as directed on package, and don't forget to salt the water. No oil. Just salt. Remember to reserve some of the pasta water—about a 1/2 cup.
- Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Saute shrimp for about 2-3 minutes, until done. Remove shrimp; set aside.
- Add pesto and 1 tablespoon or so of the pasta water. Whisk the pesto and pasta water together over low-medium heat until blended smooth. If needed add a bit more water until desired consistency is reached. Remove from heat.
- Add pasta and shrimp to pesto sauce, and gently, being careful not to squish the pasta, toss the pasta with the pesto sauce and sauteed shrimp (or chicken).
Notes
* The pesto can be made a 2-3 days ahead of time, then kept covered and refrigerated until ready to use.
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Facebook
Originally published March 5, 2010.
Related Posts:
Main Dishes Seafood
originally published on August 18, 2017 (last updated Oct 18, 2021)
29 commentsLeave a comment »
« Previous PostFrozen Blueberry Squares Recipe
Next Post »Roasted Vegetable Orzo Salad
ABOUT AMY
What began as a place for me to explore and share about my random hobbies and interests, has morphed into mostly sharing recipes — essentially a living, breathing, growing cookbook that is my absolute pleasure to share with you. The recipes here are simple, easy to prepare and nourishing for body and soul. Read more...
Get the Latest!
subscribe now and get new posts delivered via email:
Leave a Reply
29 comments on “Shrimp Pasta with Cilantro Pesto Recipe”
Lauren —Reply
Cilantro pesto?! Sounds so so good! And it’s green which is so appropriate for St.Patrick’s Day coming up in a bit!
Barb S. —Reply
That looks delicious! I’ve bookmarked it for later!
Vicki Bensinger —Reply
This is a great recipe. It’s simple yet full of flavor and perfect for lunch or dinner and great for entertaining as well.
nanci —Reply
where’s the recipe for the cilantro pesto???
Amy Johnson —
Just added the link. Sorry about that!
Tieghan —Reply
This sounds fantastic! I love cilantro!!
Ordinary J —Reply
This looks so good!!!
Danielle —Reply
Did I miss the link for the pepper cilantro pesto?
Amy Johnson —
Whoops! Added the link. Thanks for pointing that out!
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog —Reply
This sounds amazing! I always have so much left over cilantro, and this would be the absolute perfect thing to do with it! The photos are so beautiful, can’t wait to try this one!
Abbie @ Needs Salt —Reply
This dish looks absolutely perfect! Everything about it.
Pinning!Sandy @ ReluctantEntertainer —Reply
Perfect for summer when our cilantro goes crazy in the garden. Thanks for sharing, Amy! Sounds fabulous!
Natalie @ Paper & Birch —Reply
I always have leftover cilantro! This looks fantastic – put it on our menu for Sunday. Thanks for sharing this Amy 🙂
Shaina —Reply
This pesto needs to be in my life. What a delightful meal, Amy.
Sommer @ASpicyPerspective —Reply
Cilantro pesto… amazing! This looks delish! I can not wait to try!
Aggie —Reply
There is never enough cilantro in my life. What a beautiful plate of pasta Amy!
Sara —Reply
I’ve just tried it. Easy and yummy. Thanks.
Leave a comment »