Vetted Recipes

Best Recipe for Pasta with Pesto, Shrimp, and Cured Ham

Ingredients

  • 1 thin slice of garlic
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more
  • 4 cups (packed) fresh basil leaves
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
  • 3/4 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano
  • 1 pound pasta (such as gemelli or fusilli)
  • 1 ounce thinly sliced Speck, country ham, or prosciutto, chopped
  • 2 pounds large shrimp, peeled, deveined
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Blend garlic, nuts, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 ice cube in a blender on low speed to a coarse paste.
  2. Add basil, 1 cup oil, and 2 tablespoons ice water and purée until basil is almost incorporated. Add Parmesan and Pecorino; blend to combine.
  3. Transfer pesto to a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly onto surface.
  4. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid.
  5. Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook Speck, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 2 minutes. Add shrimp; season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until shrimp are just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; toss in pesto, pasta, and pasta cooking liquid.

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