Basil Pesto Shrimp Recipes

EASY PESTO SHRIMP

Steps:

• If necessary, thaw the shrimp.
• Pat the shrimp dry.
• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on medium high heat. Add the shrimp and salt. Cook the shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes per side until almost opaque, turning them with tongs.
• Just before shrimp are fully cooked, add the 1/4 cup pesto and continue cooking for 30 seconds, stirring continuously.
• Serve immediately. If using storebought pesto, adjust lemon and or salt accordingly.

PESTO PASTA WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Pulse 3 cups fresh basil, 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts and 1 garlic clove in a food processor. Pulse in 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt and 2 tablespoons each grated Parmesan and olive oil until smooth. Cook 12 ounces bucatini; reserve 1/2 cup cooking water. Toss the pasta with the pesto, 1 pound steamed chopped asparagus, 8 ounces sauteed shrimp and the reserved cooking water. Top with toasted breadcrumbs.

GNOCCHI WITH SWEET BASIL PESTO AND GARLIC BUTTER SHRIMP

Steps:

• Combine basil, 4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, olive oil, whole garlic cloves, salt, and pepper in a blender; puree until pesto is smooth.
• Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic; cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add shrimp; cook and stir until opaque, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and keep warm.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook gnocchi in the boiling water until they float to the top, 2 to 4 minutes. Drain. Mix pesto into gnocchi and serve with shrimp. Garnish with remaining Parmesan cheese.

PESTO SHRIMP PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 12 minutes; drain.
• Blend basil, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, and salt in a blender until smooth.
• Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir sugar snap peas in hot oil until tender, about 5 minutes. Add shrimp and red pepper; continue to cook until the shrimp are bright pink on the outside and the meat is no longer transparent in the center, about 5 minutes. Stir basil sauce into the shrimp mixture and remove from heat; spoon over spaghetti to serve.

JUMBO SHRIMP WITH BASIL AND MINT PESTO

Steps:

• Blend the mint, basil, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually add 1/4 cup of olive oil, processing until well blended. Transfer the pesto to a medium bowl. Stir in the Parmesan. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Toss the shrimp with the extra-virgin olive oil in a large bowl to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss again.
• Heat a heavy large skillet over high heat. Working in 2 batches, add the shrimp and saute until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Toss the shrimp with enough pesto to coat.
• Transfer the shrimp to a platter and serve.

CREAMY PESTO SHRIMP

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguine pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
• In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in cream, and season with pepper. Cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Stir Parmesan cheese into cream sauce, stirring until thoroughly mixed. Blend in the pesto, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until thickened.
• Stir in the shrimp, and cook until they turn pink, about 5 minutes. Serve over the hot linguine.