Shrimp and Artichoke Pasta

A quick, pull-together meal with basil pesto and peas.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
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Updated January 19, 2025
Elise Bauer
shrimp and artichoke pasta
Elise Bauer

A friend of mine introduced me to this Shrimp and Artichoke Pasta recipe years ago and it has become one of my favorite dishes to make for a midweek meal.

Even though it looks like a lot is going on—shrimp, artichokes, peas, pesto, pasta—the whole dish can be made in the time it takes to cook the pasta!

Shrimp Artichoke Pasta
Elise Bauer

The recipe uses items that I typically keep on hand in the freezer—frozen shrimp, peas, and artichoke hearts—as well as pesto. I make my own basil pesto in the summer and freeze it to use all year long, or if I'm out, I'll buy some ready made. If it's winter and there is no basil pesto to be found at the market, I'll make kale pesto, which works just as well.

After raiding the pantry and freezer, all you need is some garlic, green onions, and parsley. Easy!

Recipe and photos updated, first published 2008

shrimp and artichoke pasta
Elise Bauer

More Quick Pasta and Shrimp Dishes

Shrimp and Artichoke Pasta

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Servings 4 servings

Adapted from a recipe in Julee Rosso's Fresh Start cookbook.

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound linguine, fettuccine, spaghetti, or other pasta

  • 1/4 cup prepared basil pesto (or spinach, arugula, or kale pesto)

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 clove garlic, finely minced

  • 1 pound raw shrimp (21 to 30 count), peeled, deveined

  • 1 cup frozen peas

  • 8 ounces frozen artichoke heart quarters, thawed, cut in half lengthwise

  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions, including the greens

  • 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method

  1. Boil the pasta:

    Heat a large pot of salted water (4 quarts of water, 2 tablespoons salt) on high heat until boiling.

    Add the pasta. Cook uncovered on high heat with a vigorous boil until al dente (cooked but still a little firm), about 10 minutes or whatever your pasta package says is appropriate for al dente.

  2. Reserve some pasta cooking liquid, drain pasta:

    Once the pasta is done, and before draining the pasta, scoop out one cup of the pasta cooking liquid and reserve. Drain the pasta.

  3. Toss the pasta with the pesto:

    and keep it warm.

    Elise Bauer
  4. Sauté the shrimp and garlic:

    Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and shrimp and cook, stirring, for 1 minute, until the shrimp is pink but not quite cooked through.

    Elise Bauer
    Elise Bauer
  5. Add the peas and artichokes:

    lower the heat to medium, cover and cook for an additional minute.

    Elise Bauer
  6. Add green onions, parsley, pasta:

    Add the green onions and parsley, reduce the heat to low. Add the pasta and about a third of a cup of the reserved cooking water.

    Elise Bauer

    Toss to coat evenly. Add more cooking water if the pasta is still a little too dry.

    Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
363 Calories
15g Fat
34g Carbs
24g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 363
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 3g 13%
Cholesterol 143mg 48%
Sodium 878mg 38%
Total Carbohydrate 34g 12%
Dietary Fiber 7g 24%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 24g
Vitamin C 17mg 83%
Calcium 149mg 11%
Iron 2mg 14%
Potassium 502mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.