Description
Delightful Pesto Shrimp Mushroom Pasta brings Mediterranean flavors dancing across your plate with creamy, herbal notes. Succulent shrimp and earthy mushrooms mingle perfectly, creating a quick weeknight dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz (225g) cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
- 8 oz (225g) pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or penne)
Seasoning and Flavoring:
- ⅓ cup (80ml) pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt (for boiling water)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Oils:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Extra Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, then immerse pasta until it reaches the perfect al dente texture. Extract and preserve a portion of the starchy liquid before draining the noodles.
- Lavish shrimp with a robust blend of smoked paprika, salt, and cracked pepper. Sear the delicate seafood in a heated skillet with olive oil, transforming them into a vibrant pink hue and ensuring they’re thoroughly cooked through. Transfer the succulent morsels to a temporary resting plate.
- Utilize the same skillet to caramelize mushrooms, allowing them to develop a rich golden complexion. Introduce minced garlic and allow its aromatic essence to permeate the pan, creating a flavor foundation.
- Reduce the skillet’s temperature and incorporate velvety heavy cream, aromatic pesto, and aged Parmesan. Optional red pepper flakes can elevate the dish’s complexity. Allow the mixture to harmonize and slightly thicken through gentle simmering.
- Marry the pasta with the luscious sauce, ensuring each strand is elegantly coated. Should the consistency seem overly dense, introduce reserved pasta water to achieve silky smoothness. Gently reintegrate the expertly seasoned shrimp into the ensemble.
- Elegantly plate the creation, adorning with fresh basil leaves and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan, then serve this Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece immediately for optimal gustatory pleasure.
Notes
- Swap pasta for zucchini noodles or gluten-free alternatives to create a lighter, low-carb version of this delicious dish.
- Pat shrimp completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Select fresh, high-quality pesto for maximum flavor intensity and avoid watery or bland store-bought versions.
- Use a non-stick skillet to prevent sticking and achieve beautiful caramelization on mushrooms and shrimp without burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 200mg