Easy & Creamy Pistachio Pesto Pasta with Shrimp Recipe
This Easy & Creamy Pistachio Pesto Pasta with Shrimp is a quick and flavorful dish combining tender linguine tossed in a vibrant homemade pistachio and basil pesto, topped with perfectly sautéed shrimp. Ready in just 25 minutes, this recipe offers a delicious twist on classic pesto pasta with a nutty, creamy texture and a hint of lemon brightness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Protein
- 12 oz pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or penne)
- 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
Pistachio Pesto
- 1 cup shelled unsalted pistachios
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil (plus more for cooking)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Additional Ingredients
- ½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
- Prepare Pesto: While the pasta cooks, combine pistachios, fresh basil leaves, garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped and combined.
- Emulsify Pesto: With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Season the pesto with salt and black pepper to taste, then set aside.
- Sauté Shrimp: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet. Cook the shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove from heat.
- Toss Pasta with Pesto: Place the cooked pasta in a large bowl or back in the pot. Add the pistachio pesto and toss to coat the pasta evenly, adding reserved pasta water gradually as needed to loosen the sauce and create a creamy consistency.
- Add Shrimp and Finish: Gently fold the sautéed shrimp into the pasta. If using, add lemon juice to brighten the flavors and toss gently to combine.
- Serve: Serve the pasta immediately, topped with extra Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes for a hint of spice, if desired.
Notes
- Use unsalted pistachios to control the saltiness of the pesto.
- Reserve pasta water helps to thin the pesto sauce and helps it coat the pasta smoothly.
- Lemon juice is optional but adds a nice brightness to the dish.
- You can substitute shrimp with chicken or keep it vegetarian by omitting the shrimp.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat gently to avoid drying out the shrimp.
Keywords: pistachio pesto pasta, shrimp pasta, creamy pesto, quick pasta recipe, easy dinner, basil pesto, Italian pasta recipe
