This Shrimp Pesto Sauté is a versatile recipe that can easily be turned into an appetizer, a salad, or a main dish! Made with a homemade pine nut-free pesto, fresh tomatoes, and shrimp, this is a scrumptious treat! {Paleo}
Homemade pesto + shrimp + tomatoes = COUNT ME IN.
I mean, is it summer yet, and does it even matter with flavors like these? Are we sitting in sweaters one minute and then sweating to death from Midwest humidity the next? Yes, we might be. But those are the minor details of our lives, Spiriteds. After all, we have this sauté at our fingertips, and it’s just waiting to be added to veggie noodles, vegetables, and spoons. As paleo recipes go, this one has our back.
Speaking of which, is it an appetizer, a main dish, or something else? YES. Shrimp Pesto Sauté can be turned into a sauce for veggie pasta or a topper for a salad. It’s delicious as an appetizer, and it’s perfect as is for a light-ish dinner. It also tastes like something straight out of a fancy restaurant. So if you’re in the market for a date night in recipe, then add this one to your virtual recipe tin.
If you’re in the same frame of mind, then grab your sweaters, sandals, beach towels, winter coats, gloves, and sun visors, and let’s do this!
Shrimp Pesto Sauté is
- Gluten-free and paleo
- A versatile main dish recipe
- Perfect as a salad topper
- A flavorful, filling appetizer
There are so many ways to enjoy this recipe! The shy’s the limit! So explore what suits your tastebuds, hungry level, and time constraints. This recipe is a definite keeper.
Ingredients to make Shrimp Pesto Sauté
- Shrimp. Precooked and fresh or precooked and thawed are typically what I work with. Remove tails, if necessary.
- Homemade Basil Pesto. This pesto is made with cashews and fresh basil and then mixed in a high-speed blender. It takes just a few minutes to prepare and tastes delicious!
- Tomatoes. Grape tomatoes are perfect. Slice them lengthwise into halves or thirds. In these photos you’ll notice the tomatoes are red, orange, and yellow. I used gourmet medley grape tomatoes. But any grape tomatoes will work. I steer clear of regular tomatoes because they tend to be too watery for this recipe.
- Olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Add enough olive oil to cover the skillet, and then add sea salt and pepper to taste.
Side note: Can you use store-bought pesto in this recipe? Yes, absolutely! Keep a close eye on the ingredients, if you need the pesto to be paleo, and also keep an eye on consistency. If the store-bought pesto is runny, then you’ll want to add it here carefully so as not to turn the sauté into a soggy mush.
How to make Shrimp Pesto Sauté
- In a large skillet or sauté pan, add enough olive oil to cover the bottom and then add the sea salt and pepper. Add the tomatoes and sauté for about 1 to 2 minutes. Once the tomatoes are softened, then add the shrimp and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp and tomatoes from the pan to a bowl. Then top with pesto and serve immediately. Add it as a topping to salads or toss it with vegetables or veggie noodles.
- This recipe is best enjoyed right after it’s made.
Side note: I’ve made this more than once using pans of all sizes, and I find working with a larger skillet or sauté pan works best, especially at first when the shrimp take up considerable space and the tomatoes are still quite full.
Recipe variations
One of the best things about this recipe, other than the taste, is the number of ways you can enjoy it! Below are a few of my favorites.
- For a main dish, lightly toss the cooked shrimp and tomatoes with zucchini or spaghetti squash noodles. Either top with pesto or gently stir the pesto in.
- As an appetizer, serve this in small dishes and add the pesto at the last minute.
- If you’d like a salad, then serve the cooked shrimp and tomatoes over a bed of leafy greens and drizzle with pesto as a salad dressing.
Small but mighty!
Here are additional shrimp recipes to truck in your virtual recipe tin. For appetizers, a brunch-lunch salad, or as a main dish, if shrimp is on your mind, then we’ve got you covered!
Spiriteds, stay well and stay wild! I’m glad you’re here! 🩷
Shrimp Pesto Sauté
This Shrimp Pesto Sauté is a versatile recipe that can easily be turned into an appetizer, a salad, or a main dish! Made with a homemade pine nut-free pesto, fresh tomatoes, and shrimp, this is a scrumptious treat! {Paleo}
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Stovetop
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 2–3 tablespoons olive oil (enough to cover the bottom of a skillet)
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 pound shrimp, fresh or thawed and deveined
- 1/2 pint grape tomatoes, halved or sliced
- 1/2 cup paleo-friendly pesto (more as desired)
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet or sauté pan, add enough olive oil to cover the bottom and then add the sea salt and pepper. Add the tomatoes and sauté for about 1 to 2 minutes. Once the tomatoes are softened, then add the shrimp and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp and tomatoes from the pan to a bowl. Then top with pesto and serve immediately. Add it as a topping to salads or toss it with vegetables or veggie noodles.
- This recipe is best enjoyed right after it’s made.
Notes
- For a main dish, lightly toss the cooked shrimp and tomatoes with zucchini or spaghetti squash noodles. Either top with pesto or gently stir the pesto in.
- As an appetizer, serve this in small dishes and add the pesto at the last minute.
- If you’d like a salad, then serve the cooked shrimp and tomatoes over a bed of leafy greens and drizzle with pesto as a salad dressing.
- You can make your own dairy-free pesto or use store-bought. For this recipe, stick with a thicker pesto, if possible, so your sauté doesn’t turn to mush.
Yes please! Delish!
Thank you, Karly!