Name: Pesto Shrimp Pasta
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup dried orzo (6 ounces); 4 teaspoons packaged pesto sauce mix, such as Knorr brand, divided; 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1 pound peeled and deveined fresh or frozen medium shrimp, thawed; 1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced; 0.125 teaspoon coarse salt; 0.125 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper; 1 lemon, halved; 1 ounce shaved Parmesan cheese

Pesto Shrimp Pasta

5.0

(1)

1 Review

Using a packaged pesto sauce mix saves time in this 20-minute orzo pasta salad recipe.

EatingWell Test Kitchen

Updated on July 9, 2019

Prep Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Servings:

Yield:

4 cups

Nutrition Profile:

Diabetes Appropriate Egg Free Healthy Aging Healthy Immunity Heart Healthy High-Protein Low Sodium Low-Calorie Nut-Free Soy-Free

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

1 cup dried orzo (6 ounces)
4 teaspoons packaged pesto sauce mix, such as Knorr brand, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound peeled and deveined fresh or frozen medium shrimp, thawed
1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
⅛ teaspoon coarse salt
⅛ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
1 lemon, halved
1 ounce shaved Parmesan cheese

Directions

Prepare orzo pasta according to package directions. Drain; reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water. Stir 1 teaspoon of the pesto mix into the reserved cooking water; set aside.
While pasta is boiling, combine 3 teaspoons of the pesto mix and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large resealable plastic bag. Seal and shake to combine. Add shrimp to bag; seal and turn to coat. Set aside.
Cook zucchini in a large skillet in the remaining 1 tablespoon hot oil over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often. Add the pesto-marinated shrimp to the skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until shrimp is opaque.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the zucchini and shrimp mixture. Stir in the reserved pasta water until absorbed, scraping up any seasoning in the bottom of the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Squeeze the lemon halves over the pasta just before serving. Top with Parmesan.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

361	Calories
10g	Fat
36g	Carbs
32g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 361
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 36g	13%
Dietary Fiber 2g	7%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 32g	63%
Total Fat 10g	13%
Saturated Fat 2g	12%
Cholesterol 188mg	63%
Vitamin A 360IU	7%
Vitamin C 14mg	15%
Folate 181mcg	45%
Sodium 502mg	22%
Calcium 179mg	14%
Iron 3mg	14%
Magnesium 75mg	18%
Potassium 542mg	12%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.