Date Night In Cilantro Pistachio Pesto Shrimp Pasta
Delicious pesto shrimp pasta with a crazy good fresh cilantro pistachio pesto! This flavorful shrimp pesto pasta recipe is easy to make but will make you feel like you’re at a fancy restaurant. Serve with garlic bread or a side salad for a great ‘date night in’ meal.
Course
Dinner, Gluten Free, Seafood
Cuisine
Italian
Keyword
date night, pesto shrimp pasta, shrimp pesto pasta
Prep Time15minutes
Cook Time30minutes
Total Time45minutes
Servings4servings
Calories448kcal
AuthorMonique Volz of AmbitiousKitchen.com
Ingredients
For the pesto:
3/4cuppacked fresh cilantro
1/3cupshelled roasted pistachios
1jalapeno, seeds removed
2clovesgarlic
1/2lime, juiced
3tablespoonsavocado or olive oil
2-3tablespoonswater, to thin pesto
½teaspoonsalt
Freshly ground black pepper
For the shrimp:
1/2tablespoonolive oil
1poundraw shrimp, deveined and tails off
½teaspoongarlic powder
Freshly ground salt and pepper
For the pasta:
10ozspaghetti, gluten free if desired
To garnish:
1/4cupgoat cheese
Extra cilantro
Chopped roasted pistachios
Instructions
Make the pesto by adding the following to the bowl of a food processor: cilantro, pistachios, jalapeño, garlic cloves, lime juice, olive oil, water and salt and pepper. Process until smooth, scraping down the sides and processing again, if necessary.
Next cook the shrimp: add olive oil to a large skillet or pan and place over medium high heat. Add in shrimp, garlic powder and salt and pepper; cook until shrimp is no longer pink. Remove from heat and set aside.
Cook the pasta until al dente, according to the directions on the package. Drain pasta, then add back to pot. Stir in the pesto and shrimp until well coated. Add pasta to bowls and garnish with goat cheese, a few cilantro leaves and a sprinkle of crushed pistachios. Serve immediately. Makes about 4 servings.
Recipe Notes
Feel free to use chicken instead of shrimp.
To make vegetarian: simply use 1 can of chickpeas in place of the shrimp.
To make dairy free: omit the goat cheese.
To store: any leftover pesto shrimp pasta can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition Facts
Date Night In Cilantro Pistachio Pesto Shrimp Pasta
Amount Per Serving (1 serving (based on 4))
Calories 448Calories from Fat 166
% Daily Value*
Fat 18.4g28%
Saturated Fat 3.2g20%
Carbohydrates 54.6g18%
Fiber 3.9g16%
Sugar 1.3g1%
Protein 17.4g35%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.