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shrimp pesto pasta

Quick Shrimp Pesto Pasta

A quick meal for a busy weekend dinner! This Shrimp Pesto Pasta is delicious and your family will love it!
Author Jamie

Ingredients

  • 1 Box of Barilla Pronto Penne Pasta
  • 1/2 to 1 Red Bell Pepper chopped up small
  • 3 Cups Cold Water
  • half and half 1/2 cup to 1 cup
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 4-5 tablespoons of Barilla Pesto Sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 20-30 extra small shrimp thawed (these are shrimp that have been cooked, peeled and deveined)
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Shredded Parmesan Cheese to sprinkle on top if desired
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. First you need to wash and cut your red bell pepper up into small pieces. If you are really short on time you could use a jar of roasted red bell pepper instead.
  2. Now you will follow the package directions for the Barilla Pronto Penne Pasta. Pour your box of pasta into a large skillet and pour the 3 cups of cold water into the pan so that the pasta is covered with the water.
  3. Add your bell pepper into the pan now so that the pepper can cook along with the pasta and be nice and tender! If your children are picky eaters you can always leave the bell peppers out of the dish! The peppers will be nice and tender though and my picky eater didn't mind them at all!
  4. Turn on the burner to high and set your timer for 10 minutes. Cook on high, stirring regularly, until most of the water is absorbed. It took just over 10 minutes on my stove and the cooking time may vary a little depending on the stove.
  5. Now you need to add your half and half, spices, Barilla Pesto Sauce, shrimp and mozzarella cheese. Turn your burner down to low and you are just heating the shrimp up and getting the cheese all melted. If you like your pasta meals a little more creamy/liquidy you can add more half and half. If you prefer your pasta dishes a little dryer...use less half and half! I cooked this mixture for about 6-8 minutes. It doesn't take long since the shrimp are thawed and precooked!
  6. Last just sprinkle some shredded Parmesan cheese on top if you desire!