Garlic Butter Shrimp & Basil Pesto Pasta Recipe

Name: Garlic Butter Shrimp & Basil Pesto Pasta Recipe (20-Minute)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Seafood
Ingredients: 450 g Jumbo raw shrimp, peeled and deveined; 350 g Fettuccine or linguine pasta; 120 g Fresh Genovese basil pesto; 200 g Sweet cherry tomatoes, halved; 30 g + 15ml Unsalted European butter & extra virgin olive oil; 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced; 50 g Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, freshly grated; 15 ml + 5g Fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper

Jump to Recipe Step-by-Step

Cooking fresh seafood at home is remarkably fast once you master a few basic principles, and this Garlic Butter Shrimp & Basil Pesto Pasta Recipe (20-Minute) is a prime example. Pairing jumbo shrimp, and deveined, fettuccine or linguine pasta and genovese basil pesto for a clean, vibrant coastal profile, it creates an elegant dinner that feels luxurious yet comes together in only 20 min.

Ingredients

4 servings

1 lb Jumbo raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
12 oz Fettuccine or linguine pasta
1/2 cup Fresh Genovese basil pesto
1.5 cups Sweet cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp oil Unsalted European butter & extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, freshly grated
1 tbsp lemon, 1/2 tsp salt Fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cook fettuccine in salted water for **9 minutes** until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water; drain.

Melt butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and garlic; **sear for 3 minutes** until pink and opaque. Transfer shrimp to a plate.

Add halved cherry tomatoes to the pan drippings; **cook for 2 minutes** until slightly softened.

Remove skillet from heat. Add hot pasta, seared shrimp, basil pesto, 1/4 cup pasta water, and lemon juice. Toss for **1 minute** until glossy. Top with parmesan.

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Chef Amara’s Kitchen Secrets & Pro Tips

Tossing the pesto off the heat prevents the basil from oxidizing into a dark muddy green.
Reserve pasta water to create a silky emulsion with the pesto and melted garlic butter.

1. Pat Surfaces Completely Dry: Always pat seafood dry with clean paper towels before it hits the skillet. Surface moisture creates steam; dry protein sears instantly into a golden, flavorful crust. 2. Protect Minced Garlic from Burning: Garlic cooks and turns fragrant in just 30 to 45 seconds. Add it toward the end of sautéing onions or aromatics so it perfumes the dish without acquiring a bitter edge. 3. Chef's Kitchen Secret: Tossing the pesto off the heat prevents the basil from oxidizing into a dark muddy green.

Chef’s Cooking Guide & FAQs

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Troubleshooting & Quick Fixes

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Why Did My Garlic Butter Shrimp & Basil Pesto Pasta Recipe (20-Minute) Stick to the Skillet?: Seafood sticks when the pan is not hot enough or if attempted to flip too quickly. Allow the fillet to sear undisturbed over medium-high heat; as the crust caramelizes, it will naturally release cleanly from the metal.
How to Avoid Rubberiness?: Seafood cooks in mere minutes. Remove fish or shellfish from direct heat the moment flesh turns opaque—residual carryover heat on the warm platter finishes cooking without toughening.

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Storage, Freezing & Reheating Guidelines

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Store cooked seafood in a shallow airtight glass container in the coldest part of the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a lightly oiled covered skillet over medium-low heat for 3–4 minutes. Avoid high-power microwaving to prevent rubbery texture.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: Can I make this with frozen fish fillets? A: Yes, but ensure fillets are thawed completely in the refrigerator overnight and thoroughly dried with paper towels before cooking.

Q: What white wine pairs best with this dish? A: A crisp, high-acid white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or dry Chardonnay pairs divinely with the seafood flavors.

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Kitchen Notes & Discussion

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Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1 of 4)

440 Calories

46g Carbs 17% DV

32g Protein 64% DV

16g Fat 21% DV

3g Fiber 11% DV

540mg Sodium 23% DV

Carbs 42% Protein 29% Fat 29%

*Percent Daily Values (% DV) are based on a 2,000-calorie reference diet (USDA FoodData Central).

Quick Info

Cuisine Seafood
Dietary High-Protein
Total Time 20 min
Yield 4 servings

Chef Amara

Passionate culinary explorer, recipe tester, and culinary director at YumAroma.

View Full Culinary Bio →

Garlic Butter Shrimp & Basil Pesto Pasta Recipe (20-Minute)

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Boil Fettuccine

Sear Garlic Butter Shrimp

Blister Tomatoes