Looking for an easy make ahead meal for weekday lunches or busy weekday dinners? Try this delicious Mediterranean Pasta with Shrimp and Roasted Vegetables. It has a generous portion of colorful vegetables that are tossed with shrimp and whole grain pasta.
Mediterranean Pasta with Shrimp and Roasted Vegetables
I prefer to serve this pasta salad cold and like the vegetables crisp tender. If you prefer softer vegetables, cook them a little longer in the oven before adding the shrimp. For variety, swap out the shrimp for chicken, turkey, white beans, or tofu. You can also use other shapes of whole grain pasta like penne, farfalle, or orzo.
Ingredients:
1 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and chopped crosswise into 1/2″ pieces
1 yellow squash, quartered lengthwise and chopped crosswise into 1/2″ pieces
1 red bell pepper, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
1 red onion, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
8 oz. mushrooms, quartered lengthwise
1 garlic clove, minced
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1-2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp. dried Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp salt
4 Tbsp. pesto
8 ounces whole grain rotini pasta
1- 1.5 pounds shrimp, peeled
grated Parmesan
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Bring a large covered pot of water to boil over high heat.
Cook Vegetables: Combine zucchini, yellow squash, red bell pepper, red onion, and mushrooms on a large sheet pan with a rim. In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, and salt. Drizzle dressing over vegetables and toss to combine well. Spread the vegetables in a single layer over the sheet pan; use two pans if needed. Roast the vegetables for about 8 minutes.
Pasta: Once the water has come to a boil, reduce to medium high heat. Add pasta and cook 8 minutes or until al dente.
Add Shrimp: Remove the sheet pan from the oven, stir the vegetables, and toss in the raw shrimp. Spread the mixture in a single layer and return to the oven to cook for another 5-7 minutes until the shrimp are cooked through. Cooked shrimp are completely pink and the shape of the letter “C” (think “cooked”). Overcooked shrimp will curl up to the shape of the letter “O” (think “overcooked”).
Add Pesto: Once the pasta is cooked, drain in a colander. Return it to the pot and stir in pesto and grated Parmesan. When the vegetables and shrimp are cooked, add them to the pasta salad with the cooking liquid; toss to combine. This can be served warm immediately or chill it in the refrigerator and serve the leftovers cold.