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baby kale pesto pasta with spicy shrimp on a plate.

Baby Kale Pesto Pasta w/ Spicy Shrimp

Simple recipe for baby kale pesto pasta, perfect for busy weeknight meal. The pasta is topped with deeply flavorful harissa spiced shrimp.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Calories:
Author: Marwin Brown

Ingredients

Harissa Shrimp Ingredients

  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon coriander
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil

Pesto

  • 2 to 3  cloves garlic chopped
  • 3 cups  pre-packaged baby kale and spinach mix
  • 1 cup  mix of fresh basil parsley, and cilantro
  • ¼ cup  pepitas pumpkin seeds toasted
  • 1 whole lemon juiced
  • 1 teaspoon  kosher salt
  • teaspoon ground pepper
  • ¼  cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼  cup  grated Parmesan cheese optional

Pasta

  • 16 oz orecchiette pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper

Instructions

Harissa Shrimp Instructions

  • Combine spices in a medium bowl. Add shrimp and then toss.
  • Heat skillet on medium heat. Add olive oil and then increase heat to high. Add shrimp and cook for two minutes. Remove and set aside.

Pesto Instructions

  • In a food processor, add the garlic, baby kale leaves, herbs, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Turn on the food processor and drizzle in the oil.
  • Add the pepitas and process until the pesto reaches your desired consistency, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary. Taste and adjust by adding more lemon, salt or pepper.

Pasta Instructions

  • Prepare pasta according to package instructions. Drain in colander over a bowl. Reserve a cup of the cooking liquid.
  • Add pasta and reserved cooking liquid to pan and cook for a minute. Add tomatoes and pesto and cook for another minute. Season with salt, Aleppo pepper, and black pepper. Add shrimp and serve.

Notes

Harissa Shrimp Instructions Combine spices in a medium bowl. Add shrimp and then toss. Heat skillet on medium heat. Add olive oil and then increase heat to high. Add shrimp and cook for two minutes. Remove and set aside. Pesto Instructions In a food processor, add the garlic, baby kale leaves, herbs, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Turn on the food processor and drizzle in the oil. Add the pepitas and process until the pesto reaches your desired consistency, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary. Taste and adjust by adding more lemon, salt or pepper. Pasta Instructions Prepare pasta according to package instructions. Drain in colander over a bowl. Reserve a cup of the cooking liquid. Add pasta and reserved cooking liquid to pan and cook for a minute. Add tomatoes and pesto and cook for another minute. Season with salt, Aleppo pepper, and black pepper. Add shrimp and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 0g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 0mg | Potassium: 0mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 0IU | Vitamin C: 0mg | Calcium: 0mg | Iron: 0mg
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