When the weather turns colder, I crave cozy, warming recipes. And of all the comfort foods out there, nothing hits the spot quite like a bowl of pasta! When it comes to pasta…pesto pasta is my go-to and has been for years! One thing I really love about using pesto on my pasta is that it lends itself to endless topping options from a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of Parmesan to chicken or salmon or shrimp! I also like to vary the noodles and mix things up! Pasta feeds a crowd and everyone likes it, so why not?

This absolutely delicious Pesto Pasta might just be my favorite comfort food ever and the addition of shrimp is a winner! These shrimp are so easy to make…just season and put under the broiler for 2 – 3 minutes and they’re perfect every time! Prepare yourself for major deliciousness ahead…just scroll to the recipe!!

It’s hard to see in the pictures but the pasta I used is an Italian fusilli that I found at The Gourmet Shop in Columbia, South Carolina. The noodles are 6 inches long! I had so much fun dramatically tossing it with the pesto! I always try to pick up gourmet items when I’m traveling so that I have interesting and tasty things to pull out while I’m cooking!

These shrimp are so delicious on their own and would be a great addition to your holiday buffet! They’re easy to make and can be made ahead…just add cocktail sauce!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and that you’ll try the recipe! Right now is the best time to cut the last of your basil and make pesto to keep in the freezer for the months ahead!