Shrimp pasta with pesto sauce

Recipe: Shrimp Pasta with Pesto Sauce

Shrimp Pasta with Pesto Sauce: Shrimp Pasta with Pesto Sauce is a symphony of flavors and textures. Tender shrimp, aromatic pesto sauce, and al dente pasta create a dish that will delight all gourmets. This recipe is perfect for special occasions or to treat yourself any day.

Ingredients

• 300 g spaghetti or other pasta of your choice
• 300 g large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup pesto sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• 1/4 cup cream (optional, for a creamier texture)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil and parmesan cheese for garnish

Instructions

1. Start by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. Usually, this involves boiling in salted water until al dente (with a slight bite). Then drain the pasta and leave it in the pan.
2. Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add peeled shrimp to the skillet with garlic and sauté them for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque.
5. Add pesto sauce to the skillet and mix with the shrimp. If you want a thinner sauce, add cream and stir.
6. Transfer the cooked pasta to the skillet with the shrimp and pesto sauce. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and heat together for another 2-3 minutes.
7. Serve the shrimp pasta with pesto sauce hot, garnished with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.

Tips

• Choose large shrimp for a richer flavor.
• Serve the pasta immediately after cooking to prevent drying out.
• Prepare the pesto sauce in advance or use store-bought for a quicker process.
• For a creamier texture, add cream to the sauce.
• For a more intense aroma, add some fresh basil at the end of cooking.
• Pesto sauce usually contains enough salt, so be cautious with adding extra salt.
• Experiment with different types of pasta to find your favorite.
• Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top for a richer flavor.
• Make sure the shrimp are cooked only until done, otherwise, they will become tough.
• Shrimp pasta with pesto sauce is perfect for lunch or dinner throughout the year.

Common Mistakes

• Overcooking shrimp: Overcooked shrimp become tough and dry. Cook them only until done.
• Too much salt: Be careful with salt as pesto sauce and parmesan already contain salt.
• Drying out pasta: Cook the pasta only until al dente, it will further cook in the sauce.
• Not mixing the sauce properly: Make sure the pesto sauce is evenly mixed with the pasta and shrimp for each piece to be infused with flavor.
• Overcooking garlic: If garlic is cooked for too long, it can become bitter. Cook it only until fragrant.
• Using stale pesto: If using store-bought pesto sauce, make sure it is fresh and stored in the refrigerator.
• Not removing shells from shrimp: Make sure the shrimp are completely peeled and deveined before cooking.
• Overmixing: After adding the pasta, gently mix to avoid breaking the shrimp's texture.
• Not sautéing shrimp before adding pasta: Sautéing the shrimp before adding the pasta adds extra flavor and aroma to the dish.
• Not garnishing the dish: Garnish the pasta with fresh basil and parmesan before serving, it will enhance its visual appeal.

Fun Fact

Pesto sauce is a traditional Italian dish that originated in the Liguria region. It consists of fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil, nuts (usually pine nuts), and parmesan cheese. Pesto is a word derived from the Italian "pestare", which means "to pound" or "to crush", a reference to how the sauce is made by pounding all the ingredients in a mortar.