I adore this Arugula Pesto, Corn, and Shrimp Pasta recipe for several reasons. The pasta is an ideal backdrop to the rich, salty pesto. The corn brings in not only a contrast of texture, but a sweet note that cuts through the rich sauce. A perfect side for grilling, or add in grilled shrimp as shown to make it a main. Bonus: it can be cooked all on the grill using the side burner, if you have one. Feel free to sub at will; pistachios for the walnuts, Romano for the Parmesan; spinach for the arugula, any protein for the shrimp, the world is your pesto pasta bowl!
Arugula Pesto and Corn Pasta
Pesto + corn = awesome
Servings 6 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound Pasta preferably a whimsical shape like baby shells
- 2 cups arugula
- 1 cup corn (frozen or fresh)
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese , plus some for garnish
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 lemons
- 1/3 cup quality Olive Oil
- 1 pound shrimp , peeled, deveined, tail off
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flake
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
Instructions
- Bring pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta just shy of al dente (reserving a cup of pasta water).
- Zest, then juice lemons.
- To a food processor, pulse garlic until chopped*. Add in walnuts, basil, Parmesan cheese, arugula and juice of both lemons. Pulse until coarse. While running, stream in olive oil. Season with a heavy grind of pepper and a subtle pinch of salt.
- In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat. Saute shrimp for 2-3 minutes (if adding shrimp).
- Add red pepper flake and corn to pan, cook for 2-3 minutes or until shrimp is cooked. Turn heat to low, fold in pasta, pesto, and 1 cup of reserved pasta water.
- Briefly cook for 1-2 minutes on low, until sauce thickens and pasta absorbs some of the liquid. Serve garnished with lemon zest and grated Parmesan. Enjoy your Arugula Pesto, Corn, and Shrimp Pasta!
Video
No video available for this recipe.
Nutrition
Serving: 6People | Calories: 490kcal
*to tame the intense raw garlic fire, drop the clove into the boiling pasta water for 30 seconds.
