Trader Joe’s Easy Pesto Shrimp Pasta Recipe
This pesto shrimp pasta recipe comes together quickly and easily with a few Trader Joe’s staples.
Everything You Need to Make this Grilled Shrimp with Spinach and Pesto Linguine
- frozen shrimp, defrosted
- Trader Joe’s linguine*
- Trader Joe’s pesto*
- garlic
- red pepper flakes
- salt & pepper to taste
- shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano
*If you don’t live near Trader Joe’s you can totally make this delicious recipe with other store bought substitutes. My favorite store made pesto is actually from Costco.
Why You Should Add this Pesto Pasta to Your Weeknight Dinner Rotation.
Whenever I visit Trader Joe’s I always pick up a bag of the frozen shrimp. Shrimp is an easy and delicious protein option to add to salads and especially pastas and rice.
This pesto is also a staple in my house. Outside of this recipe I also use it to mix with mayo for sandwiches.
Did I mention you can pick up everything you need at Trader Joe’s for this easy shrimp pesto pasta?
Trader Joe’s Spinach and Chive Linguine Pasta, elevates this dish with extra flavor.
Though homemade pesto is always better, this version is pretty good for a quick weeknight dinner option.
How to Make this Pesto Shrimp and Pasta Recipe
Ideally, defrost the shrimp overnight by thawing in package in the refrigerator.
If not, you can quickly defrost shrimp by plunging them into cold water and leaving in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. (Not great, but doable option).
Make sure the shrimp is completely defrosted and dry before cooking.
Next, in a bowl mix 1 heaping tablespoon of pesto, red pepper flakes, chopped garlic and salt & pepper. Add the shrimp and allow to marinate for as long as possible.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package.
Drizzle olive oil on a skillet, then add shrimp, cook 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove the shrimp from the skillet, and set aside.
Drain the pasta and then add to the skillet, on low heat.
Drizzle additional olive oil into the pan. Add the remaining pesto. Toss serve immediately topping with shrimp and a heaping sprinkle of shaved parmigiana.
Pesto Grilled Shrimp & Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 frozen shrimp, defrosted
- 1/2 package of Trader Joe's linguine
- 1/2 container Trader Joe's pesto
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano
Instructions
- Ideally, you would defrost the shrimp in the morning, by taking them out of the package and leaving them in cold water. Then patting them completely dry.
- In a bowl mix 1 heaping tablespoon of pesto, red pepper flakes, chopped garlic and salt & pepper. Add the shrimp and allow to marinate.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package.
- Drizzle olive oil on a skillet and wait for it to get super hot. Add shrimp, wait a minute for them to turn pink, then flip over. Lower heat and remove the shrimp from the skillet, and set aside. Note, shrimp cooks super fast, so remove it before you think it's done!
- Drain the pasta and then add to the skillet, on low heat.
- Drizzle additional olive oil into the pan. Add the remaining pesto. Toss serve immediately topping with shrimp and a heaping sprinkle of shaved parmigiana.
Notes
Tips & Notes About This Shrimp Pasta Recipe
What Pasta is Best for Pesto Sauce?
The recommendation is to use fusilli or rotini pasta so that the curves of the noodle hold more sauce. But, I say any pasta with a little thickness to it tastes good with pesto.
Linguine is a thicker noodle that works really well with this dish.
How to Properly Defrost Shrimp
Steps to defrost shrimp the night before
- Take the bag of frozen shrimp out of the freezer the night before and place it in the refrigerator.
- Then, I take the shrimp out of the package and thoroughly rinse it and pat it dry.
- The shrimp is ready to use once it’s completely dry.
What if you forgot to defrost your shrimp overnight?
- Take the shrimp out of the package and place it in a bowl of cold water.
- Put the bowl of shrimp water back in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
- Take out your defrosted shrimp and rinse thoroughly.
- Make sure the shrimp is completely dry to start cooking with it.
- It’s also important to not defrost any protein in room temperature.
- Always defrost in the refrigerator to properly defrost.
Other Shrimp Pasta Recipes You May Like
- Skinny Shrimp Scampi
- Shrimp & Crab Fra Diavolo
- How to Make Shrimp and Crab Pasta in White Wine Sauce
- Spicy Shrimp Noodles
- Seafood Pasta with Linguine for Date Night