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Easy Shrimp Pesto Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

From ingredients to enjoyment, this recipe makes it easy to create something wonderful.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 12 12 ounces penne pasta
  • 1 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 ½ 1 ½ pounds shrimp peeled, deveined and tails removed (see note)
  • ½ ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ ½ cup chicken broth I use low-sodium
  • ½ ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, drained and lightly rinsed if packed in oil or water
  • ½ ½ cup basil pesto (see note)
  • freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook pasta in lightly salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain. Set aside.
  2. In a deep 12-inch skillet or medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat until hot and rippling. Add the shrimp and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for about a minute and flip or stir the shrimp and cook for another 30 seconds or so until the shrimp start to turn pink but don't cook all the way.
  3. Add cream, broth, and sun-dried tomatoes and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the shrimp are cooked through. Stir in pasta and pesto and toss until evenly combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper, if needed.
  4. Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Shrimp: I almost always use frozen shrimp (from Costco - 21/25 per pound) that have already been peeled and deveined. After the shrimp have thawed and drained, I take off the tails.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: an 8-ounce jar of sun-dried tomatoes, drained and rinsed, will yield about 3/4 to 1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes. See note below about adding more tomatoes than called for in the recipe.
  • Pesto: I highly recommend using refrigerated basil pesto over shelf-stable jarred pesto. It has a fresher taste and will add a brighter flavor to the pasta. I use the refrigerated pesto from Costco. Homemade pesto is also a great option.
  • More or Less: most of the ingredients (pesto, pasta, shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes) can be adjusted to taste - use more or less depending on your preference. You really can't mess it up.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 serving Calories 405kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 49g (16%) Protein 25g (50%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Cholesterol 170mg (57%) Sodium 747mg (31%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 5g (10%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 serving
Calories 405kcal 20%
Carbohydrates 49g 16%
Protein 25g 50%
Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 170mg 57%
Sodium 747mg 31%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 5g 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.