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You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dishes / Creamy Basil Pesto Shrimp Pasta

Creamy Basil Pesto Shrimp Pasta

Published: December 15, 2019 | Updated: September 3, 2020 | By: Jordan

8.6K shares

This post may contain affiliate links which will not change your price but will share some commission. Please read my privacy policy.

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Creamy Basil Pesto Shrimp Pasta is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Basil pesto is turned into a creamy sauce to cook the shrimp, then mixed with your favorite pasta!

two bowls of basil pesto shrimp pasta

This post was developed in paid partnership with Filippo Berio. Thank you for being supportive of me working with brands I use and love!

You might have tried my Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken or my Tomato Ricotta Pesto Pasta With Balsamic Burst Cherry Tomatoes.

Those recipes are literally in my top 5 favorite recipes of all time, but today I’m sharing a Creamy Basil Pesto Shrimp Pasta recipe that is also to die for!

It’s basically a sequel to the Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken recipe because you all loved it so much!

When I was brainstorming what my next pesto recipe would be, I was originally thinking of doing some sort of pesto dip recipe but as soon as the Instagram shares of the pesto chicken came rolling in, I knew I had to make this Basil Pesto Shrimp Pasta!

Basil Pesto Shrimp Pasta Ingredients

Less than 10 ingredients come together to make this shrimp pasta the best shrimp recipes you’ve ever had.

ingredients to make basil pesto shrimp pasta
  • jumbo shrimp
  • Filippo Berio Classic Pesto
  • bucatini pasta
  • garlic
  • tomatoes
  • heavy cream
  • crushed red pepper flakes
  • fresh basil

That’s it! Most of those are things you probably already have on hand at home. You might even have frozen shrimp in the freezer if you’re like me and always keep a bag around just in case.

My Favorite Pesto To Use

I love to make pesto from scratch because it’s so easy and nothing beats fresh pesto, but Filippo Berio’s pesto line is pure gold.

Their Classic Pesto tastes just like the real deal. It’s produced in Italy, the original home of pesto, and is bursting with fresh basil flavors!

a jar of filippo berio classic pesto

You can store it in the pantry so you’ll always be ready to make a creamy basil pesto sauce!

How To Make Creamy Basil Pesto Shrimp Pasta

This shrimp pasta recipe is easily going to become your new favorite weeknight dinner! It’s so quick and a good break your regular weeknight chicken recipe.

a spatula mixing the creamy basil pesto sauce
  1. Prepare the ingredients: peel and devein the shrimp, slice the tomatoes in half, and chop the basil.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. (I used bucatini, but you can use spaghetti, angel hair, or gluten free pasta too!)
  3. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet on medium-high heat with olive oil and sauté the garlic for about a minute until fragrant. Then add the pesto, heavy cream, and red pepper flakes. Stir until combined and then add the shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes per side until they are cooked through.
  4. When the pasta is finished cooking, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then drain it into a colander. Add the pasta back into the pot with the reserved pasta water, the basil pesto sauce, and cherry tomatoes. Toss to combine. Divide between bowls and garnish with fresh chopped basil and parmesan cheese.
pasta and pesto sauce being mixed together

Possible Variations

You know when you find a really, really good recipe and you just want to make it all the time but you’re also afraid of getting bored with it?

Yea, that happens to me a lot. When something is really good it’s all I think about!

a hand sprinkling parmesan cheese onto the pasta

Here are a few ways to change up this shrimp pasta recipe so it’s not the same every time you make it:

  • use a different protein like chicken or scallops.
  • switch up the pesto sauce, Filippo Berio has lots of good flavors!
  • add mushrooms, squash, or any of your other favorite veggies and make it a vegetarian pasta.
  • try finishing the pasta with a squeeze of lemon juice to add a bright flavor
basil pesto shrimp pasta in a cast iron pan with a bowl of tomatoes, garlic, and a jar of pesto

What To Serve With Basil Pesto Shrimp Pasta

Sautéed Broccolini With Marcona Almonds is definitely the go-to move here. This Harvest Salad also goes nicely and the tangy vinaigrette will help cleanse the palate from the creamy basil pesto sauce.

Got Leftovers?

Pasta leftovers are literally the best leftovers ever. Besides Chinese food, because Chinese food is always so much better the next day!

Place your leftover pasta in an airtight container, these are my absolute fav, in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. You can reheat it in a shallow pan on the stove on low heat, or in the microwave.

a fork standing up straight in a bowl of pesto shrimp pasta

Questions You Might Have About This Recipe

Can I use a dairy free cream instead?

I tried this recipe with coconut cream and didn’t love it as much as the heavy cream. You can try using almond milk or cashew milk instead, and if the sauce isn’t thick enough mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 1 tbsp of water and mix that into the basil pesto sauce before adding the shrimp.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

You can use fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe, just make sure the shells are removed before cooking.

I used fresh shrimp, but if you have a bag of frozen shrimp on hand, they will work just fine! I recommend putting them in the fridge the night before to thaw.

2 bowls and a cast iron pan with basil pesto shrimp pasta

How do you peel shrimp easily?

To peel shrimp easily, start where their legs are attached and begin pulling off the shell. You can leave the tail on for appearance if you like, but I always remove it.

To devein shrimp, make a shallow slit with a pairing knife down the middle of the back to expose their intestine. While rinsing the shrimp under cool water, remove the black intestine with your fingers.

a fork taking a bite of the pesto shrimp pasta

More Pesto Recipes You Might Like

  • Pesto Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
  • Basil Mint Pesto
  • Mint Pesto Prosciutto Pasta
  • Pesto Grilled Cheese
  • Burrata Pesto Pizza
  • Pea Pesto Tomato Crostini

More Shrimp Recipes You Might Like

  • Blackened Shrimp
  • Blackened Shrimp Tacos
  • Garlic Butter Shrimp
  • Lemon Orzo With Garlic Butter Shrimp
  • Honey Garlic Shrimp

WANT TO TRY THIS CREAMY BASIL PESTO SHRIMP PASTA RECIPE?

PIN IT to your pasta recipes, dinner recipes, or shrimp recipes board to save it for later!
Find me on Pinterest for more great recipes. I’m always pinning!

shrimp pasta pinterest long pin

More Pasta Recipes To Try

  • Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad
  • Spring Pea Pasta
  • Creamy Basil Pesto Shrimp Pasta
  • Tomato Ricotta Pesto Pasta With Balsamic Burst Cherry Tomatoes
  • Linguine With Clam Sauce

Did you make this recipe? Post a photo on Instagram and tag me @JZEATS or #JZEATS so I can see! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think, too!

two bowls of basil pesto shrimp pasta
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
5 from 16 votes

Creamy Basil Pesto Shrimp Pasta

Creamy Basil Pesto Shrimp Pasta is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Basil pesto is turned into a creamy sauce to cook the shrimp, then mixed with pasta!
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time20 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: basil pesto, pesto pasta, shrimp pasta, shrimp recipes
Servings: 4
Calories: 419kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark
Author: Jordan

Ingredients

  • 1 lb jumbo shrimp
  • 6.5 ounces Filippo Berio Classic Pesto, 1 jar
  • 12 ounces bucatini pasta, can be substituted for spaghetti or angel hair
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Prepare the ingredients: peel and devein the shrimp if they still haven't been already, slice the cherry tomatoes in half, and chop the basil.
  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
  • Meanwhile, heat a pan on medium-high heat with olive oil and sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Then add the pesto, heavy cream, and red pepper flakes. Stir until combined and then add the shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes per side until they are cooked through.
  • When the pasta is finished cooking, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta into a colander. Add the pasta back into the pot with the reserved pasta water, the basil pesto sauce, shrimp, and cherry tomatoes. Toss to combine. Divide between bowls and garnish with fresh chopped basil and parmesan cheese.

Notes

*Nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.

Nutrition

Calories: 419kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 355mg | Potassium: 288mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 848IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 317mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.
Tried this recipe?I’d love to see your dish, mention @jzeats or tag #jzeats!
two bowls of basil pesto shrimp pasta, a spoon and a fork
8.6K shares

Published: December 15, 2019 Filed Under: Main Dishes, Pasta, Seafood Tagged With: 30 minutes or less, dinner recipes, easy recipes, pescaterian, pesto pasta, shrimp, shrimp pasta

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Celia

    July 21, 2020 at 11:47 pm

    5 stars
    Just made this tonight to have dinner with my husband and it was delicious!!! Definitely fast and easy. The recipe is a keeper and have now saved on my Pinterest “What for Dinner” board.

    Reply
    • JZ Eats

      July 22, 2020 at 3:59 pm

      Thank you! So glad you enjoyed 🙂

      Reply
  2. Priya Lakshminarayan

    December 18, 2020 at 11:42 am

    5 stars
    Love a delicious pasta! This is tempting me to cook pasta every week 🙂

    Reply
  3. Beth

    December 18, 2020 at 11:45 am

    5 stars
    I made this last night for dinner with the last of my fresh basil. It is so creamy and delicious! I can’t wait to make it again!

    Reply
  4. Maria

    December 18, 2020 at 11:51 am

    5 stars
    Never knew pesto in a jar could be so yummy! Now I can have some anytime I want! Thanks for the pasta sauce recommendation!

    Reply
  5. Jess

    December 18, 2020 at 12:19 pm

    5 stars
    The pesto combined with the shrimp in this recipe is DELISH!

    Reply
  6. Emily Flint

    December 18, 2020 at 1:16 pm

    5 stars
    I had some shrimp in my freezer begging to be cooked so I’m so glad I found you recipe! I can’t wait to make this again, it was delicious!

    Reply
  7. Cecil Paderon

    January 19, 2021 at 1:22 am

    5 stars
    Delicious
    My husband loves this pesto pasta

    Reply
  8. Jess

    March 22, 2021 at 4:23 pm

    Where are the measurements?
    How much pesto?
    How much cream?
    How much garlic?
    This would help me. I’d like to try this recipe.

    Reply
    • JZ Eats

      March 22, 2021 at 4:35 pm

      Hi – the measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

      Reply
      • Jessica

        March 31, 2021 at 5:22 pm

        5 stars
        Thank you. I found it 🙂

  9. Jessica

    March 31, 2021 at 5:20 pm

    5 stars
    Fast easy recipe that tastes great.

    Reply
  10. Beth

    August 9, 2021 at 8:56 pm

    Amazing!!! I added black olives and garnished with feta and pine nuts! Great recipe!!

    Reply
    • JZ Eats

      August 10, 2021 at 4:54 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  11. Erin

    October 12, 2022 at 1:05 am

    Studio Apartment Approved!

    I have a little kitchen area. I mean little. But with so few ingredients and only needing two cooking tops, I was able to make this. There is plenty of leftover sauce which I think is great because I can easily boil more pasta. Instead of shrimp I used diced chicken (don’t judge me, I have a small fridge, too). It’s so tasty! I didn’t have fresh basil to garnish with, so I used some parsley. I don’t think it was an issue. The red chili flakes definitely gives this the pop it needs.

    Reply
    • JZ Eats

      October 13, 2022 at 12:55 pm

      Thank you Erin! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one.

      Reply

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about meI’m that girl behind the camera and the creator of all the delicious recipes on this website. I’m a Baltimore food blogger who enjoys nothing more than food!
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