Basil Pesto Alfredo With Shrimp & Broccoli
Basil Pesto Alfredo pasta is a tasty one-pot dinner recipe everyone in your family will love. Loaded with rich flavor, fresh shrimp, creamy sauce topped with Parmesan cheese – I can almost guarantee they’ll come running for seconds or thirds!
Raise your hand if your family loves a good creamy pasta dish? Both hands raised here!
This basil pesto alfredo pasta recipe has become one of the more popular pasta recipes in our house. It’s a quick and easy dinner recipe that can be made on a busy weeknight or for entertaining guests. We served recently for a small family get together and received rave reviews.
This recipe will serve 4-6 people depending on your serving size which makes it a great dish for entertaining a small group. Not to mention, it cooks and presents perfectly in our Our Place Always Pan (use code ANNABAUN10 for $10 off your purcahse)! If you’re not familiar with the Always Pan, see our full review. It’s amazing! It allowed us to make this entire recipe in just the one pan!
We made this shrimp pesto alfredo recipe with a homemade alfredo pasta sauce. It’s easy to bring together and made with loads of refresh ingredients. But, what we love about this comfort food pasta is how versatile it is.
Does your family prefer creamy pesto alfredo pasta with sausage over shrimp? Feel free to replace! We love adding or replacing with smoked sausage or Andouille sausage. Or, maybe you’d like to add additional veggies, too? We suggest mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, squash and more!
Below, we’re sharing a few of our favorite alternative ingredients.
How would you make Basil Pesto Alfredo pasta? Share with us in the comments below!
If you love pasta dishes, you have to try Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta and Instant Pot Lazy Lasagna.
TIPS FOR MAKING PESTO ALFREDO PASTA
We chose to make this creamy pesto alfredo pasta with fresh jumbo shrimp. However, if you are looking to save time, feel free to use pre-cooked shrimp or frozen shrimp. To heat, cook on each side for 1 minute.
For the fettuccini pasta shells, we are big fans of fresh store bought pastas such as Rana or fresh pasta found in the speciality section of your grocery store. However, feel free to use any pasta of your choosing. We recommend a few favorites below. If you are looking for a low carb meal, try serving with zucchini noodles.
As we mentioned above, we made this creamy pesto alfredo recipe in our Always Pan from Our Place. Doing so allowed us to saute the shrimp, boil the pasta, steam the broccoli and create the sauce all in one pan (just one of the reasons we love the pan so much!). We have included instructions below for both Always Pan and traditional cookware, if needed.
Regardless, this easy dinner recipe is almost guaranteed to turn out great! The homemade pesto alfredo sauce turns our so flavorful and creamy. If you prefer this pasta dish with less cream, feel free to decrease the heavy whipping cream and melted butter.
WHAT TYPE OF PASTA SHOULD I USE?
What is great about this creamy shrimp pasta recipe is you can use any pasta of your choosing. However, with a creamy pasta such as this, we love to use pasta shells that hold on to the cream sauce well. Pasta shells such as penne pasta, fettuccini, rigatoni and more are our favorites.
ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO MAKE BASIL PESTO ALFREDO
What we love most about this homemade pesto alfredo recipe is the number of ways to you make this easy dinner dish. While we included fresh jumbo shrimp and broccoli, there are so many alternative ingredients to add. Here are just a few of our family loved favorites:
- Red bell peppers
- Green bell peppers
- Andouille sausage
- Smoked sausage
- Grilled chicken
- Mushrooms
- Broccoli
- Zucchini
- Squash
- Zucchini noodle
- Roasted tomatoes
CAN I USE FROZEN SHRIMP?
You most certainly can! However, I would recommend thawing the shrimp before cooking in this pasta dish. To thaw, I typically place the frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight.
HOW TO STORE ALFREDO PASTA
Store your pesto alfredo pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
CAN I REHEAT PESTO ALFREDO PASTA?
You most certainly can! In fact, we think this pasta recipe is just as good, if not better, in the days following as leftovers.
For individualized portions, place the desired amount on a plate or in a bowl and place in the microwave for 1 minute. After the 1 minute has expired, remove from the microwave, stir the contents and place back back in for an additional 30 seconds or until you have reached your desired temperature. If for any reason you want to add more ‘sauce’, add a splash of water or chicken broth when heating.
If you plan to reheat a larger portion, place the pasta in a large skillet or pan over medium to low heat on the stove. Again, you will want to add a splash of water of chicken broth stiring the pasta and shrimp regularly. Heat on medium to low heat until you have reached your desired temperature.
SHOP RECIPE ESSENTIALS
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INGREDIENTS FOR BASIL PESTO ALFREDO PASTA
- 1.5 pounds fresh shrimp, cleaned and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 ounces fettuccini pasta (feel free to use more, if preferred)
- 6 cups water
- 12 ounces broccoli
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups heavy cream (you can also use half and half, if preferred)
- 1.5 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic pepper (you can also use fresh black pepper, if preferred)
- 2 tablespoons basil pesto
- Pinch of salt
HOW TO MAKE BASIL PESTO ALFREDO PASTA
STEP 1:
In your Always Pan, or large skillet, add olive oil over medium heat. Add shrimp in a single layer. Cook the shrimp, without moving them, until the underside is pink, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip the shrimp, and cook until fully pink and cooked through, about 2 minutes more. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl and set aside for now.
STEP 2:
Next, bring water to a boil (salt generously) in a large pot over medium heat. Add the pasta, cook according to package directions until al dente, tender but still slightly firm. Strain, and toss with a splash of oil. Set aside.
If you are using your Always Pan, add the pasta to the steel steamer basket and careful place into the water. Cook according to package directions until aldente. When pasta has reached your desired texture, carefully remove steel steamer basket from pot and set aside.
STEP 3:
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring 1 in. of water and broccoli to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 4-6 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and set aside.
If you’re using the Always Pan, you can begin to steam the broccoli in the spruce steamer while the pasta is cooking. To do so, place a paper liner at the bottom of your spruce steamer. Place broccoli on top of the paper liner and rest spruce steamer on top of the pasta in the pan. Place Always Pan lip on top. Steam for 6-10 minutes or until you have reached your desired tenderness. NOTE: If you do steam the veggies on top of the pasta, be sure to check on your pasta every few minutes to ensure it’s not over cooking.
STEP 4:
In the same Always Pan or skillet, add butter and cook over medium heat.
STEP 5:
When the butter has mostly melted, whisk in the cream and bring to a simmer, then cook for 2 minutes. Lower the heat to keep the sauce warm.
STEP 6:
Whisk the freshly grated parmesan cheese into the sauce and stir until well combined.
STEP 7:
Whisk in the basil pesto and garlic pepper continuing to stir until well combined.
STEP 8:
Add in pasta and toss until well covered with sauce.
STEP 9:
Add the shrimp and broccoli and toss until well combined. Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes. Season with any additional salt and pepper, serve immediately and enjoy!
LOOKING FOR OTHER DELICIOUS RECIPES? HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR FAVORITES:
- Funeral Potatoes | Easy & Delicious
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
- Creamy Lemon Pepper Pasta With Shrimp & Parmesan
- Italian Sausage Stuffed Baked Tomatoes
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Creamy Broccoli Mac and Cheese
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Basil Pesto Alfredo With Shrimp & Broccoli
Basil Pesto Alfredo made with homemade alfredo sauce, fresh shrimp and steamed broccoli.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds fresh shrimp, cleaned and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 ounces fettuccini pasta (feel free to use more, if preferred)
- 6 cups water
- 12 ounces broccoli
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups heavy cream (you can also use half and half, if preferred)
- 1.5 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic pepper (you can also use fresh black pepper, if preferred)
- 2 tablespoons basil pesto
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- In your Always Pan, or large skillet, add olive oil over medium heat. Add shrimp in a single layer. Cook the shrimp, without moving them, until the underside is pink, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip the shrimp, and cook until fully pink and cooked through, about 2 minutes more. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl and set aside for now.
- Next, bring water to a boil (salt generously) in a large pot over medium heat. Add the pasta, cook according to package directions until al dente, tender but still slightly firm. Strain, and toss with a splash of oil. Set aside. If you are using your Always Pan, add the pasta to the steel steamer basket and careful place into the water. Cook according to package directions until aldente. When pasta has reached your desired texture, carefully remove steel steamer basket from pot and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring 1 in. of water and broccoli to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 4-6 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and set aside. If you're using the Always Pan, you can begin to steam the broccoli in the spruce steamer while the pasta is cooking. To do so, place a paper liner at the bottom of your spruce steamer. Place broccoli on top of the paper liner and rest spruce steamer on top of the pasta in the pan. Place Always Pan lip on top. Steam for 6-10 minutes or until you have reached your desired tenderness. NOTE: If you do steam the veggies on top of the pasta, be sure to check on your pasta every few minutes to ensure it's not over cooking.
- In the same Always Pan or skillet, add butter and cook over medium heat.
- When the butter has mostly melted, whisk in the cream and bring to a simmer, then cook for 2 minutes. Lower the heat to keep the sauce warm.
- Whisk the freshly grated parmesan cheese into the sauce and stir until well combined.
- Whisk in the basil pesto and garlic pepper continuing to stir until well combined.
- Add in pasta and toss until well covered with sauce.
- Add the shrimp and broccoli and toss until well combined. Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes. Season with any additional salt and pepper, serve immediately and enjoy!
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