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Creamy Garlic Basil Pesto Shrimp Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

creamy garlic basil pesto shrimp pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy shrimp pasta dish featuring a silky creamy garlic basil pesto sauce with sweet cherry tomatoes, perfect for busy weeknights or dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp (medium or large)
  • 8 ounces linguine or fettuccine pasta
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or whole if small
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • A small handful fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente (9-11 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add cherry tomatoes and cook 3-4 minutes until softened and blistered.
  4. Lower heat to medium-low. Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine with garlic and tomatoes. Add basil pesto and mix well. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring often. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if sauce is too thick.
  5. Return shrimp to skillet and add drained pasta. Toss to coat evenly in creamy pesto sauce. Cook together 1-2 minutes to marry flavors.
  6. Turn off heat. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over pasta and toss gently. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately warm.

Notes

Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery texture. Add pesto slowly to cream while stirring to avoid clumping. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce and help it cling to pasta. Keep heat moderate to prevent cream from curdling. Fresh basil garnish brightens the dish. For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk. Gluten-free pasta can be used for dietary needs.

Nutrition

Keywords: shrimp pasta, creamy pesto pasta, garlic basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe

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