The 4-Ingredient Pasta I've Been Making for Years

It takes just 20 minutes and is full of salty, herby flavor.

By
Danielle Campbell
Danielle Campbell
Danielle Campbell
Danielle Campbell is a Food stylist, chef, and recipe developer in Los Angeles. After working as a private chef and caterer for about 7 years, Danielle pivoted into food styling and has since worked in the field for 8 years. Danielle developed recipes multiple cookbooks, companies, and food publications. Her recipe development landed her a cover of the Los Angeles Times, food section. She's featured on Simply Recipes.
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Published October 12, 2025
Danielle Campbell
Shrimp pasta with pesto and a fork in a bowl

Simply Recipes / Danielle Campbell

This shrimp pesto pasta is an easy weeknight dinner that always satisfies my pasta craving. I made this recipe often for my clients as a private chef, and I was also told it was a kid favorite. All you need to make it are four key ingredients: some fresh basil pesto, thick-cut bacon, shrimp, and a box of your favorite curly pasta.

Key Ingredients for My Shrimp Pesto Pasta

Pesto is an ingredient that makes the simplest of dishes flavorful and delicious. It can dress up everything from a simple bowl of beans to a summery pasta salad to a fillet of fish. It packs herby flavor, pungent garlic, and lots of oil, all in one ingredient.

The addition of bacon is a salty treat and goes well with the shrimp. I prefer thick-cut applewood smoked bacon here. When the bacon is thicker, it holds up better in the pasta and has more bite. I make sure not to dice it too small for the same reason.

Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions

  • You can substitute pancetta or guanciale for the bacon, if you have it—the dish tastes great as long as you have something salty and porky in the mix.  
  • The shrimp can also be switched out for chicken or salmon. Both go well with pesto and bacon. Just make sure to cook them through fully before adding them to the pasta.
  • The lemon is optional, but I love adding it to this recipe to cut through the richness. You can add some zest to the pesto to brighten it up and squeeze the juice over the top of the finished dish.
  • This is a great meal to make ahead of time and pack for lunch or a picnic because it also tastes great at room temperature. 
A bowl of pasta topped with shrimp and a green sauce, garnished with small bacon pieces and served with a fork

Simply Recipes / Danielle Campbell

Shrimp Pesto Pasta

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Servings 4 to 6 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 1 pound curly pasta such as toscani, fusilli, or gemelli

  • 5 slices thick-cut bacon or 6 ounces pancetta or guanciale, diced 

  • 12 ounces medium peeled and deveined shrimp, thawed if frozen

  • 1 1/2 cups store-bought or homemade basil pesto

  • Grated parmesan cheese, for serving, optional

  • 1 lemon, optional

Method

  1. Boil the pasta:

    Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Salt the water generously and add the pasta. Cook until al dente per the package instructions. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large bowl.

  2. Cook the bacon:

    While the pasta cooks, heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until browned and crispy, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease from the pan.

  3. Finish the dish:

    Add the shrimp to the bacon grease remaining in the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, then flip the shrimp over and cook until opaque and cooked through, about 1 more minute. Transfer the shrimp to the bowl with the pasta. Add the crisp bacon and pesto and toss until the pasta is fully coated. Serve with grated parmesan and a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.

    Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Enjoy cold or reheat in the microwave.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
550 Calories
33g Fat
31g Carbs
29g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 550
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 33g 43%
Saturated Fat 8g 38%
Cholesterol 123mg 41%
Sodium 1226mg 53%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 2g 9%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 29g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 244mg 19%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 584mg 12%
*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.