Name: Basil Pesto Shrimp Penne Pasta Perfection
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 12 ounces penne pasta; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 1 pound (21-25 count) large shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1 (8 ounce) package sugar snap peas, washed and halved; 1 (8 ounce) container refrigerated prepared pesto; 1 fresh lemon

Pesto Pasta

Shrimp Pesto Penne

Aug 24, 2025
by Abraham Fisher
- 5.0 / 5 ( 2 Ratings)
1 Likes

PREP TIME

15 mins
COOK TIME

15 mins
TOTAL TIME

30 mins
SERVING

6 People
VIEWS

6

A vibrant and quick pasta dish that sings with fresh flavors. Succulent shrimp, crisp sugar snap peas, and perfectly al dente penne are tossed in a bright, herbaceous pesto sauce, finished with a zesty lemon kiss. Ready in a flash for a delightful weeknight meal.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

12 ounces penne pasta

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 pound (21-25 count) large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 (8 ounce) package sugar snap peas, washed and halved

1 (8 ounce) container refrigerated prepared pesto

1 fresh lemon

Nutrition

Carbohydrate

40 g
Cholesterol

159 mg
Fiber

6 g
Protein

27 g
Saturated Fat

4 g
Sodium

948 mg
Sugar

10 g
Fat

19 g
Unsaturated Fat

0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

11 mins

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions, about 11 minutes, or until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set aside.

02

Step

4 mins

While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes without disturbing, allowing them to develop a nice sear. Add the sugar snap peas and stir until the shrimp are just turning opaque and pink, approximately 2 minutes.

03

Step

1 mins

Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the prepared pesto and the cooked penne pasta, ensuring everything is well combined. Add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest and the juice of the whole lemon to the pasta. Toss gently to coat.

04

Step

0 mins

If the pasta seems dry, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Serve immediately and enjoy!

For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the shrimp while cooking.
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese makes a wonderful garnish.
If you prefer to make your own pesto, blend fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil in a food processor until smooth.
Ensure not to overcook the shrimp, they are best when tender and juicy.

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Abraham Fisher

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.