Name: Quick Shrimp Pesto Pasta
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 12 ounces pasta; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 pint cherry tomatoes; 4 ounces pesto (1/2 cup); 1 pound shrimp (peeled); 1 cup pasta water (reserved); 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Recipe

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This quick shrimp pesto pasta comes together in just 20 minutes, bringing big flavor with minimal effort.

Some nights, when you’re short on time and need a simple, skillet meal that everyone will eat, this shrimp pesto pasta saves the day.

bowtie pasta in a skillet with shrimp and grape tomatoes

Quick Shrimp Pesto Pasta

For nights when I get home late from my kids’ activities and need a quick dinner, I turn to this shrimp pesto pasta recipe because it’s flavorful, filling, and my family loves it.

I make frozen shrimp a staple because it thaws quickly, making recipes like this one, my Cajun shrimp pasta, and shrimp Alfredo incredibly easy to whip up.

Ingredients

This recipe can be made with either fresh or thawed frozen shrimp and your favorite shape of pasta. Homemade or jarred pesto serves as the foundation for this flavorful dish, and pasta water to thin out the sauce. Cherry tomatoes are added for bursts of juicy nutrition, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese adds a finishing touch.

Closeup of skillet with wooden spatula, bowtie pasta, pesto sauce and tomatoes

Can You Use Frozen Shrimp Instead of Fresh?

Absolutely! Just thaw them first, since frozen shrimp hold extra water, and adding them frozen to the skillet can make this dish watery and runny.

How to Make Shrimp Pesto Pasta

Overwhelmed cooks rejoice, this recipe couldn’t be easier. Here is the basis for this recipe. If it’s your first time cooking it, be sure to watch the quick video.

Cook the pasta according to the package directions, and before draining it, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. This is more than you’ll need, but it’s always good to have extra.
Cook the tomatoes and shrimp, and make the pesto sauce for the pasta. The shrimp cooks in about 5 minutes; that’s it.
Combine the cooked pasta with the pesto sauce and shrimp in the skillet, then give everything a quick toss. Add more pasta water if necessary.
Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese, toss to combine, and serve.

Quick Shrimp Pesto Pasta

Servings: 6

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 20

This quick shrimp pesto pasta comes together in just 20 minutes, bringing big flavor with minimal effort.

5 from 35 votes

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Watch how it’s made:

Ingredients

12 ounces pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pint cherry tomatoes
4 ounces pesto (½ cup)
1 pound shrimp, peeled
1 cup pasta water, reserved
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

In a large pot, cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the cherry tomatoes and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the pesto, the shrimp, and ¼ cup of pasta water to the skillet. Continue cooking for 3 to. 5 minutes, stirring often, until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through.
Add the cooked pasta to the shrimp mixture and toss to combine with the sauce. Add ¼ cup of pasta water to the skillet, and stir to thin out the pesto sauce. For a more saucy pasta, add more of the reserved water. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the pasta, toss to combine, and serve.

Notes

You can cut down in time by cooking your pasta ahead of time.
There are a lot of shrimp per bowl of pasta. If you need to stretch this recipe to feed 6, use a full 16-ounce box of pasta.