Description
Succulent pesto shrimp mushroom pasta merges Mediterranean flavors with creamy textures. Garlic, basil, and parmesan elevate this simple dish for quick weeknight dinners you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) shrimp, large, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz (226 g) pasta, spiral
- 8 oz (226 g) mushrooms, white, sliced
- ½ cup (120 ml) pesto, basil
- ½ cup (120 ml) broth, chicken
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- basil, fresh, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Skillet Preparation: Heat a large skillet over medium-high flame, creating an even layer of olive oil across the surface to prevent sticking and ensure smooth cooking.
- Shrimp Searing: Introduce shrimp to the heated skillet, seasoning with salt and red pepper flakes. Cook for 3 minutes, flipping midway until they transform to a vibrant pink, indicating complete cooking. Transfer to a separate plate.
- Mushroom Transformation: In the same skillet, add another splash of olive oil and scatter sliced mushrooms. Sprinkle with salt to intensify their earthy flavor. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until they soften and release natural moisture.
- Sauce Integration: Return shrimp to the skillet with mushrooms. Pour in basil pesto and chicken broth, stirring to create a cohesive sauce. Simmer on medium heat until ingredients meld perfectly.
- Pasta Completion: Cook pasta in a separate pot until reaching al dente texture. Drain thoroughly and combine with the shrimp-mushroom mixture, ensuring each pasta strand is evenly coated with the aromatic sauce. Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves just before serving to enhance the dish’s visual appeal and herbal notes.
Notes
- Sear Shrimp Perfectly: Cook shrimp quickly over high heat to prevent rubbery texture, ensuring they turn pink and curl slightly without overcooking.
- Mushroom Moisture Management: Allow mushrooms to release water naturally without overcrowding the pan, which helps develop rich caramelized flavor and prevents soggy results.
- Pasta Timing Technique: Cook pasta al dente, as it will continue absorbing sauce after mixing, preventing mushy noodles and maintaining ideal texture.
- Pesto Power Tip: Homemade pesto provides deeper flavor, but quality store-bought versions work well when time is limited; stir in pesto off direct heat to preserve fresh herb taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg