Total Recipe cost: $11.84

Servings Per Recipe: 6

Cost per serving: $1.97

Prep time: 10 min. Cook time: 15 min. Total: 25 min.

INGREDIENTS COST 2 Tbsp olive oil $0.22 2 cloves garlic $0.14 1 lb. peeled, deveined shrimp $5.97 1 pint cherry tomatoes $2.23 12 oz. pasta $1.03 1 jar (8 oz) pesto $1.98 1/4 bunch fresh parsley $0.22 to taste salt and pepper $0.05 TOTAL $11.84

Step By Step Photos

It's a new year (almost) and I'm about to go back to a 8-4 work day. What does that mean? I'm going to need to scale it back in the kitchen. There will be more quick, "throw it together in a pan/pot" meals. This pesto shrimp pasta is so quick, it literally comes together in the time that it takes to cook the pasta.One of the keys to making this dish affordable is finding pesto at a good price. I am usually able to find this Classico brand Pesto for under $2.50 a jar at most grocery stores (click on that link, there's a coupon on their website!!). It adds loads of flavor and, if you don't use the whole jar, you can keep it in the fridge or freezer. If you can find fresh herbs at a good price in the summer, make your own pesto and freeze it for use later in the year!Serve this up with some garlic bread and a quick, fresh salad and this is a five star dinner, for sure.Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Pasta is usually sold in 16 oz. boxes and bags, so you'll need about 3/4 of the box (no need to actually weigh 12 oz.).While the water is coming to a boil, heat a large skillet with 2 Tbsp of olive oil over medium heat. While the pan is heating, mince the garlic then add to the pan. Cook the garlic just until softened and fragrant (about 1-2 minutes).Turn the heat on the skillet up to medium high and add the shrimp (thawed, drained). Saute the shrimp and garlic until the shrimp are fully cooked (about 5 minutes). They will be pink and no longer transparent when fully cooked.While the shrimp are cooking, rinse and slice all of the tomatoes in half. Once the shrimp is cooked, add the tomatoes. Season the pan with salt and pepper and continue to cook until the tomatoes start to break down just slightly (about 5 min).The pasta should be finished cooking at this point. Drain the pasta, add it to the skillet along with the jar of pesto. Stir until everything is evenly coated with pesto. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve!Sometimes long, thin pasta like spaghetti or angel hair can be difficult to stir chunks, like tomatoes and shrimp, into. If you prefer, you can stir the pesto into the drained pasta and then just spoon the shrimp and tomatoes over top.

Labels: easy, pasta, quick, seafood