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- 12 oz linguine or spaghetti - 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined - 1 cup heavy cream - 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade) - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup spinach leaves - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 3 cloves garlic, minced - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh basil leaves for garnish Gather your ingredients before you start. This makes cooking easy and fun. First, choose your pasta. Linguine or spaghetti works great. Next, grab the shrimp. Peeled and deveined shrimp cooks quickly. For creaminess, use heavy cream. The basil pesto adds a lot of flavor. You can buy it or make your own. Cherry tomatoes add sweetness and color. Spinach adds nice greens, and Parmesan finishes the dish. Don't forget olive oil and garlic. They add a nice base flavor. Finally, have salt and pepper ready to season. Fresh basil leaves are great for garnish. This dish is simple and full of flavor! - Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. - Add 3 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute. - Now, add 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp. Season with salt and pepper. - Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes until they turn pink. - Once cooked, set the shrimp aside on a plate. - In the same pot, add 12 ounces of linguine or spaghetti. - Pour in enough water to cover the pasta, about 4-5 cups. - Bring the water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, as per package instructions. - Reduce the heat to low after the pasta is cooked. - Drain excess water but leave about 1/2 cup in the pot. - Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1/2 cup of basil pesto. Mix well. - Add 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes and 1 cup of spinach leaves. Stir until the spinach wilts. - Return the shrimp to the pot and add 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. - Mix everything until the shrimp are heated through and the sauce is creamy. - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. - Let it sit for a few minutes to thicken before serving. Use homemade pesto if you want fresh flavors. Store-bought pesto saves time and works well too. Adjust the creaminess of your sauce by adding more or less heavy cream. If you like it rich, add more cream. For a lighter sauce, use less. To ensure shrimp are perfectly cooked, watch the color change. Cook them until they turn pink and opaque. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Avoid overcooking shrimp, as they become tough and rubbery. Remove them from the heat as soon as they are done. For some heat, add red pepper flakes to the sauce. This adds a nice kick to the dish. Also, try adding lemon juice or zest for brightness. The citrus flavor pairs well with the creamy pesto and shrimp. This little twist can take your meal to the next level! {{image_2}} You can easily swap shrimp for chicken or tofu. If you choose chicken, cut it into bite-sized pieces. Cook it in the pot just like the shrimp until it is golden brown. For tofu, use firm or extra-firm tofu. Press it to remove excess water, then cube it. Sauté it until crispy. Both options keep the dish tasty and satisfying. Adding vegetables is another great way to make it vegetarian. Try bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms. These veggies add color and nutrition. Simply sauté them with garlic before adding the pasta. If you want a healthier twist, use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta. Whole wheat pasta adds fiber, while gluten-free pasta is great for those with gluten issues. Both options work well with the creamy sauce. You can also play with different pasta shapes. Farfalle, penne, or even fusilli can add fun and texture. Just remember to adjust the cooking time based on the shape you choose. Feeling adventurous? Try making a sun-dried tomato sauce instead of pesto. Blend sun-dried tomatoes with cream for a rich flavor. You can also mix in some garlic and herbs for added zest. Alfredo sauce is another tasty option. Use butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese instead of pesto. This will give you a creamy, cheesy sauce that pairs nicely with shrimp. Don't forget to experiment with herbs too! Fresh thyme or oregano can add a unique flavor to your dish. You can even mix in some spinach or kale for extra greens. To keep your One-Pot Creamy Pesto Shrimp Pasta fresh, store it in an airtight container. Refrigerate it within two hours of cooking. This helps keep it safe and tasty. For best results, consume leftovers within three days. If you want to save some for later, you can freeze portions. Place the pasta in freezer-safe bags or containers. Make sure to leave some space for expansion. You can freeze it for up to three months. When reheating, I recommend using the stovetop. This method warms the pasta evenly without drying it out. Add a splash of water or cream to keep it moist. Heat it on low, stirring often until warmed through. You can also use the microwave. Just cover the dish and heat in short bursts. Stir in between to ensure even heating. In the fridge, your One-Pot Creamy Pesto Shrimp Pasta lasts about three days. If you notice any unusual smell or color change, it's best to throw it away. If the pasta has a slimy texture, do not eat it. Always trust your senses! Yes, you can prep this dish ahead. Cook the pasta and shrimp earlier. Store them in separate containers. Keep the sauce in another container. Combine everything when you're ready to eat. This will help keep the pasta from getting mushy. Heat gently on the stove to warm it up. Absolutely! You can use half-and-half for a lighter option. Coconut cream also works well for a dairy-free choice. Both will give a nice creaminess. You might need to adjust the seasonings a bit. Consider serving a side salad with mixed greens. Garlic bread is a great addition too! Roasted vegetables add color and flavor. For a fresh touch, try some sliced cucumbers or cherry tomatoes on the side. These pair nicely with the creamy pasta. In this blog post, we explored a delightful One-Pot Creamy Pesto Shrimp Pasta recipe. We covered the essential ingredients, step-by-step cooking instructions, and kitchen tools needed for success. You learned tips for perfecting your pesto and variations to keep it fresh. Remember, you can customize this dish with other proteins and pasta types. Enjoy the rich flavors, and don’t worry about leftovers—they store well. Dive into this tasty dish and impress your friends and family. Cooking should be fun and easy, so enjoy every bite!

One-Pot Creamy Pesto Shrimp Pasta

Satisfy your cravings with this delicious one-pot creamy pesto shrimp pasta recipe! In just 30 minutes, you’ll create a rich and flavorful dish packed with shrimp, fresh spinach, and vibrant cherry tomatoes. It’s the perfect meal for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests. Ready to dive into an explosion of taste? Click through to explore the full recipe and bring this easy culinary delight to your table!
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Ingredients
  

12 oz linguine or spaghetti

1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup spinach leaves

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions
 

In a large pot or deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

    Add the shrimp to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp and set aside.

      In the same pot, add the linguine or spaghetti and enough water to cover it (around 4-5 cups). Bring to a boil and cook according to package instructions until al dente.

        Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low. Drain excess water, leaving about 1/2 cup in the pot with the pasta.

          Stir in the heavy cream and basil pesto until well combined. Then add the halved cherry tomatoes and spinach leaves, mixing until the spinach wilts.

            Return the cooked shrimp to the pot and add the Parmesan cheese. Mix everything together until the shrimp are heated through and the sauce is creamy.

              Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.

                Remove from heat and let it sit for a couple of minutes to thicken slightly before serving.

                  Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4

                    - Presentation Tips: Serve in bowls topped with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves for a pop of color. Drizzle a little olive oil on top for added richness.