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Pasta Nests with pan seared shrimp, appetizers
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5 from 2 votes

Pasta Nests with Pan Seared Shrimp

Whether you serve this for dinner or as an appetizer, my Pasta Nests with Pan Seared Shrimp will definitely be a head-turner.   The unique presentation and delightful flavors will be all your guests will talk about.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 18
Calories: 93kcal
Author: Chef Dennis Littley

Ingredients

  • 18 jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined. Do Not Butterfly
  • ½ pound linguine or spaghetti
  • 4 tablespoons pesto
  • 2 tablespoons Romano cheese grated
  • 3 tablespoons seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • sea salt and black pepper to taste
  • pinch of crushed red pepper
  • 1 teaspoon old bay seasoning or your favorite seasoning
  • pan spray

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees
  • Cook pasta per instructions on the box, rinse till cool, drain well, add olive oil to keep moist and place in large bowl
  • Add Romano cheese, bread crumbs, pesto, olive oil, egg, sea salt and black pepper to pasta. Mix well to completely coat pasta with ingredients.
  • Spray cupcake/muffin tin with liberally with pan spray
  • Twirl pasta into little nests using a tablespoon and a fork. Gently place each completed nest into the pan. Repeat the process until finished
  • Place pan in preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes.
  • Heat a large skillet with no oil in the pan, keep it dry.
  • Spray a good amount of PAM Original cooking spray into the pan and after 10 seconds add shrimp.
  • Season shrimp with old bay (or your favorite seasoning) a pinch of red pepper flakes and a little Romano cheese and continue to stir shrimp around in the pan until they are fully cooked.
  • Add a little bit of pesto to the pan at the end to help with the color, or add a little chopped parsley.
  • Cooking in a dry pan, just using Pam will allow the shrimp to sear and the seasonings will give the shrimp flavor and color. Be careful not to overcook shrimp, but allow a little burn in the pan to give the shrimp that beautiful color.
  • Remove Shrimp from pan when finished, placing on a plate and set aside till nests are done cooking. (shrimp do not have to be hot when serving, room temp is ok)
  • Remove pan from oven and place on a rack to cool for 5 minutes
  • Gently remove each nest from the pan using a tablespoon by sliding it under the nest and lifting it out. Place nests on a serving tray.
  • Top each nest with a good sprinkle of Romano Cheese, then the seared shrimp.

Nutrition

Calories: 93kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 112mg | Potassium: 41mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 90IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg