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Pesto Pasta and Grilled Shrimp Stack

Elevate Dinner with Pesto Pasta and Grilled Shrimp Stack

Pesto Pasta and Grilled Shrimp Stack is a vibrant and elegant dish that combines flavorful basil pesto, tender pasta, and juicy grilled shrimp, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Pesto
  • 2 cups Fresh Basil Leaves
  • 1/4 cup Pine Nuts Can substitute with walnuts or almonds
  • 2 cloves Garlic Cloves
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Use nutritional yeast for a vegan option
  • 1/2 cup Olive Oil High-quality extra virgin
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 tsp Lemon Zest
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
For the Pasta and Shrimp
  • 1 lb Shrimp Medium to large (16-20 count per pound)
  • 8 oz Pasta Linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti
  • 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes Optional, for added spice
For Garnishing
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Herbs
  • 2 tbsp Toasted Pine Nuts

Equipment

  • Food Processor
  • Grill or Grill Pan
  • large pot
  • Colander
  • Stacking ring

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Prepare the Pesto: In a food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic cloves, and Parmesan cheese. Pulse until coarsely chopped, then drizzle in olive oil while blending until smooth. Adjust with more oil if necessary and add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain and immediately toss with the prepared pesto.
  3. Marinate the Shrimp: In a bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Toss shrimp in mixture and marinate for about 15 minutes.
  4. Grill the Shrimp: Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook marinated shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque with grill marks.
  5. Assemble the Stack: Use a stacking ring or freeform build; start with a layer of pesto pasta, followed by a layer of grilled shrimp. Repeat to build height, finishing with shrimp on top.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Drizzle extra pesto over the top and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and fresh herbs. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 200mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Avoid overcooking shrimp for juiciness. Reserve pasta water for adjusting pesto consistency if needed. Customize with different proteins and spices.

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