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Pesto Pasta Shrimp Asparagus

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🍤 This Shrimp Pesto Pasta with Fresh Asparagus Recipe combines succulent shrimp and tender asparagus with a vibrant homemade pesto for a nutritious and flavorful meal.
🌿 Fresh herbs and simple ingredients come together quickly, making this dish perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed

1 cup fresh parsley leaves, packed (or substitute with more basil)

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted or untoasted

1 large garlic clove

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

12 ounces dry linguine pasta

1 bunch asparagus (approx. 1 pound), tough ends trimmed and discarded, remaining stalks diced into 1-2 inch pieces

1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil for cooking shrimp

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Salt and black pepper to taste for shrimp and pasta

Instructions

1-Make the Pesto: In a food processor, combine 2 cups fresh basil leaves, 1 cup fresh parsley leaves, 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/3 cup pine nuts, 1 large garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Pulse until finely chopped, then slowly pour in 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil until smooth. Set aside.

2-Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces dry linguine and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/3 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta.

3-Cook Asparagus: Steam the diced asparagus pieces until crisp-tender, about 4-6 minutes. Alternatively, sauté in 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until tender. Set aside.

4-Cook Shrimp: Pat 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook until opaque and pink, about 3-4 minutes. Pour 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice over the shrimp and toss to coat. Remove from heat.

5-Combine: Add the cooked linguine and steamed asparagus to the skillet with the shrimp. Toss gently to combine, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Let it cool for about 1 minute.

6-Finish with Pesto: Stir the prepared pesto into the pasta mixture until well coated. If it’s too thick, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

7-Serve: Dish it up immediately for the best flavor.

Last Step:

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Notes

🍋 Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
🥦 Asparagus can be sautéed instead of steamed for different texture.
🌰 Walnuts can substitute pine nuts; omit nuts if allergic.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Boiling and sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 539
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 227mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Carbohydrates: 47g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 232mg