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What to Serve With Pesto Shrimp: 15 Best Side Dishes

Pairing pesto shrimp with the perfect side dishes can elevate your meal to a restaurant-quality experience right at home. Consider a Caesar salad with its classic dressing and crunchy croutons. Garlic bread provides a savory, invigorating touch with its crispy edges. Lemon asparagus adds a revitalizing citrus zest, perfect for balancing the rich shrimp. A quinoa pilaf offers a hearty, nutritious base with vibrant colors, while a caprese salad brings a delightful medley of ripe tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Each of these sides enhances the robust flavors of pesto shrimp, creating a memorable dining experience. Explore more options to truly impress.

Caesar Salad

caesar salad with anchovies

To complement the rich flavors of pesto shrimp, a crisp Caesar salad provides an invigorating and balanced side dish. The classic dressing, with its creamy texture and tangy taste, enhances the overall meal experience.

For added crunch, consider various crouton options, from traditional garlic to herb-infused varieties. This combination guarantees a delightful dining experience, appealing to both the palate and the senses.

Garlic Bread

delicious garlic bread recipe

Garlic bread serves as a perfect accompaniment to pesto shrimp, adding a savory and aromatic element to the meal.

The butter spread, infused with minced garlic and herbs, seeps into the bread, creating an irresistible flavor.

The crispy edges provide a delightful contrast to the tender shrimp, making every bite satisfying.

This simple yet flavorful side dish complements the rich pesto shrimp beautifully.

Lemon Asparagus

delicious springtime vegetable dish

Lemon asparagus brings an invigorating and rejuvenating component to the table, perfectly balancing the rich flavors of pesto shrimp.

The citrus zest enhances the natural sweetness of the asparagus spears, making every bite vibrant and delightful.

This side dish is simple to prepare and offers a revitalizing contrast, ensuring your meal is both satisfying and well-rounded.

It's a match made in culinary heaven.

Quinoa Pilaf

healthy and flavorful side dish

Complementing the zestful notes of lemon asparagus, quinoa pilaf provides a hearty and nutritious base that pairs seamlessly with the robust flavors of pesto shrimp.

The nutty flavor of quinoa, combined with its vibrant colors, adds both visual and taste appeal to the dish.

This side not only enhances the meal's overall presentation but also guarantees a satisfying and wholesome dining experience.

Caprese Salad

tomatoes mozzarella basil balsamic

Enhancing the meal with a Caprese salad introduces an invigorating medley of ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil that perfectly balances the rich flavors of pesto shrimp.

The vibrant colors and fresh ingredients create a visually appealing and delicious side dish.

Don't forget to add a light balsamic drizzle on top of the mozzarella slices to elevate the taste, making each bite delightful.

Roasted Potatoes

crispy herb seasoned potato wedges

Roasted potatoes offer a hearty and flavorful side dish that pairs excellently with the vibrant taste of pesto shrimp. When seasoned with herbs and roasted to a crispy texture, these potatoes complement the shrimp's fresh, basil-infused flavors.

Their golden, crunchy exterior and soft, fluffy interior create a delightful contrast, making every bite a pleasing experience.

This dish adds both substance and a touch of rustic charm.

Steamed Broccoli

healthy green vegetable dish

Steamed broccoli provides a nutritious and vibrant side dish that pairs well with the rich flavors of pesto shrimp. Its health benefits include being rich in vitamins and fiber.

For the best results, steam the broccoli until it's tender but still crisp. Season lightly with salt and pepper, allowing the natural flavors to complement the pesto shrimp perfectly.

Orzo Pasta

cooked in lemon sauce

Orzo pasta serves as an excellent accompaniment to pesto shrimp, absorbing the flavorful sauce while adding a satisfying texture to the dish. Its small, rice-shaped pieces cook quickly, making it a convenient option.

Consider a cheese pairing, like Parmesan, to enhance the taste. Simple cooking techniques, such as boiling and tossing with olive oil, guarantee the orzo complements the shrimp perfectly.

Zucchini Noodles

vegetable pasta alternative option

Zucchini noodles, often referred to as 'zoodles,' provide a light and nutritious alternative to traditional pasta when served with pesto shrimp.

Zoodle recipes are not only easy to prepare but also packed with zucchini benefits, such as being low in calories and high in vitamins.

This delightful pairing enhances the flavors of the pesto shrimp, making it a wholesome and satisfying meal.

Tomato Basil Salad

fresh summer garden flavors

A fresh tomato basil salad offers a vibrant and aromatic companion to pesto shrimp, enhancing the meal's overall flavor profile.

This delightful side dish combines juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and creamy fresh mozzarella, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

A light balsamic drizzle adds a tangy sweetness, perfectly complementing the rich, garlicky notes of the pesto shrimp, making each bite truly enjoyable.

Parmesan Risotto

creamy cheesy comforting dish

For an indulgent and creamy counterpart to the vibrant tomato basil salad, Parmesan risotto offers a luxurious and comforting addition to your pesto shrimp meal.

The creamy texture melds perfectly with the rich flavors of the shrimp, while a subtle saffron addition brings an extra layer of sophistication.

This pairing guarantees a balanced and satisfying dining experience, making every bite truly memorable.

Green Beans Almondine

perfect side dish recipe

Green Beans Almondine provide a delightful and crisp contrast to the rich flavors of pesto shrimp, elevating the dish with its nutty undertones and vibrant texture.

This side dish combines the nutty crunch of toasted almonds with the simple elegance of tender green beans.

It's an easy yet sophisticated pairing that complements the savory depth of pesto shrimp, making your meal both balanced and memorable.

Couscous

mediterranean staple grain dish

Couscous offers a light and fluffy accompaniment that perfectly absorbs the savory pesto sauce from the shrimp, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Mediterranean couscous, with its fine grains, provides a delicate base, while Israeli couscous, known for its pearl-like shape, adds a satisfying chewiness.

Both varieties complement the dish, making it a versatile and delightful pairing.

Grilled Vegetables

healthy summer bbq option

In addition to couscous, grilled vegetables provide a vibrant and nutritious pairing for pesto shrimp, enhancing the dish with their smoky flavors and crisp textures.

Marinade options like balsamic vinegar or lemon juice can guarantee the taste, while grilling tips such as preheating the grill and using olive oil secure perfect results.

This combination offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures.

Can the Same Side Dishes be Served with Pesto Shrimp and Chicken Pesto Pasta?

Yes, the best side dishes for chicken pesto pasta can also be served with pesto shrimp. Classic options such as garlic bread, Caesar salad, and roasted vegetables are versatile and complement both dishes well. You can easily create a cohesive and delicious meal by using the same side dishes for both pesto shrimp and chicken pesto pasta.

Spinach Salad

healthy greens and veggies

A fresh spinach salad serves as a nutritious and invigorating complement to pesto shrimp, adding a crisp contrast to the dish.

Using baby spinach as the base, this salad offers a delightful crunch.

Drizzle it with a tangy balsamic dressing to elevate the flavors, creating a harmonious balance that enhances the overall dining experience.

This pairing is both rejuvenating and satisfying.