In this pesto sheet pan shrimp and veggies, the shrimp cook right alongside the veggies, making for a super quick and easy weeknight dinner!
I'm having a bit of a moment with sheet pan meals. They're quick, easily include a ton of veggies and require so little cleanup!
This sheet pan shrimp recipe in particular is at the top of my list right now. It cooks really quickly which is pretty much a requirement for me if I'm going to turn on my oven in the summer. Plus my whole family loves homemade pesto. It's bright and flavorful and, with two toddlers in the house, anything with a dip is a big hit!
I hope your family loves this healthy sheet pan meal as much as mine does! Make sure to check out the variations and meal prep tips below the recipe.
Pesto Sheet Pan Shrimp and Veggies
Ingredients
For the Basil Walnut Pesto:
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 oz parmesan
- 1 small bunch basil
- 5 oz spinach
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 T lemon juice (juice from 1 lemon)
- 4 T water
For the Sheet Pan Shrimp and Veggies w/ Rice:
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 bunch asparagus
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms
- 1 # peeled, deveined shrimp
- S&P
- 2 T olive oil
- 1 cup brown rice
Instructions
For the Basil Walnut Pesto:
- in a blender or food processor, combine: 1 garlic clove, 1 cup walnuts, 1 oz parmesan cheese, large handful fresh basil, 5oz spinach, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1T lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon), 4T water, or as needed.
- Blend until smooth.
For the Sheet Pan Shrimp and Veggies w/ Rice:
- Add 1 cup brown rice to 2 cups water in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil, cover and lower heat to low. Simmer ~20 mins or until water is absorbed.
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Cut 2 medium zucchini into half-moons
- Cut & discard woody ends off 1bunch asparagus. Cut spears in half.
- Toss zucchini, 8 oz mushrooms and asparagus w/ 2T olive oil. Sprinkle lightly w/ S&P.
- Place on sheet pan w/ 1# shrimp (may need more pans). Bake ~20 mins or until shrimp is cooked through & veg are fork tender.
- Build a bowl w/ brown rice, shrimp and vegetables. Top w/ pesto to taste (1-2T) per serving. Mix & serve.
Variations on this Sheet Pan Shrimp Recipe
While I really love the combination of fresh, homemade pesto with shrimp, zucchini, mushrooms and asparagus, you can easily use this sheet pan shrimp concept in a variety of ways. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Use a Different Protein: Cubed chicken breast or sliced Italian sausage would be excellent in this sheet pan meal as well!
- Vary the Veggies: Try green beans, summer squash, cherry tomatoes or thin sliced carrots!
- Change the Base: You can serve the sheet pan shrimp and veggies over rice, quinoa, pasta, cauli rice or zoodles. All are delicious!
- Make it Dairy Free: Many of our subscribers are dairy free and I have an excellent dairy free pesto you can easily sub here.
- Try a Different Sauce: If you're not in the mood for pesto or basil is not in season, you could also use my popular chimichurri sauce, sweet and spicy chili sauce, or lemon herb vinaigrette.
How to Make Homemade Pesto – Basil Walnut Pesto Recipe
Want to learn how to make homemade pesto? You're in luck! It's actually quite easy. Homemade pesto tastes incredibly bright and fresh and all it takes is a few ingredients in a blender or food processor.
For this sheet pan meal, I use a basil walnut pesto recipe. You can easily mix it up though. Sub pine nuts or pecans for the walnuts. Sub cilantro for the basil, or use a mix of herbs! Omit the parmesan if you need a dairy free version.
All you need to do is add your ingredients of choice to a high power blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Stop periodically and taste. Add extra lemon or salt if needed, particularly if you're omitting the parmesan. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to thin out the pesto as desired.
That's all it takes!
Is this a good shrimp meal prep recipe?
Yes! This sheet pan meal is the perfect shrimp meal prep recipe.
To prep ahead, make the pesto and store in the fridge. Then wash and chop the zucchini and asparagus. You can also make the rice ahead of time and reheat when you're ready to serve. That's it!
On the day you plan to serve, reheat rice in the oven, covered, for 25 minutes at 400 F (or in the microwave if you prefer). Toss the veggies with olive oil, salt and pepper and add to the sheet pan with shrimp and bake before adding to rice and topping with pesto.
What makes this sheet pan shrimp and veggies healthy?
As you can see from the list below, sheet pan shrimp and veggies includes a ton of vitamins and nutrients! In addition to being delicious, this is definitely a meal you can feel good about feeding your family.
Garlic (Beneficial Sulfur Compounds, Manganese, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Selenium)
Garlic has been used in homeopathic remedies for thousands of years and is thought to reduce the risk of heart disease, high cholesterol and some types of cancer. Eating garlic may also help prevent colds and other minor illnesses.
Scientists believe these substantial health benefits may stem primarily from garlic's sulfur compounds such as allicin, diallyl disulfide and sallyl cysteine.
Walnuts (Vitamin E, Omega-3s, Antioxidants)
Many consider walnuts to be the healthiest nut, in part due to their high antioxidant content. They may help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes, as well as supporting healthy brain function and healthy gut bacteria. They are a true super food!
Basil (Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Manganese)
A significant source of Vitamin K, basil may also reduce memory loss, blood pressure, and depression. Smelling basil also may help you feel more alert so consider growing some in a kitchen garden to smell whenever you need a boost!
Spinach (Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folic Acid, Calcium, Iron)
Spinach is great for your eye health and may help prevent inflammation. Due to its high fiber content, it's also great for digestion. Plant compounds in spinach may also help prevent and slow the growth of certain cancers.
Olive Oil (Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Monounsaturated Fats, Antioxidants)
Due to the type of fat it contains, olive oil may reduce inflammation. It also reduces the risk of Alzheimer's, stroke and heart disease. Make sure to get high quality extra virgin olive oil, as it retains more antioxidants and nutrients.
Lemon (Vitamin C)
Just one lemon provides 51% of the daily recommended vitamin C. This is important not only to fight colds, but for long term health as studies show consuming produce with vitamin C helps prevent heart disease and stroke. Consuming lemons can also help protect against anemia and kidney stones.
Shrimp (Selenium, Vitamin B12, Iron, Protein)
High in selenium, vitamin B12 and iron, shrimp are an excellent source of lean protein. Furthermore, they serve as a significant source of iodine, which supports healthy thyroid and brain function.
Zucchini (Vitamin A, Manganese, Vitamin C, Potassium, Magnesium, Vitamin K, Folate)
Zucchini is rich in many vitamins, but is especially high in vitamin A, which supports vision and immune function. In addition, the zucchini skin is high in antioxidants. Super low in carbs, zucchini is also a great choice for those following a Keto or low carb diet.
Asparagus (Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Potassium, Vitamin E)
Half a cup of cooked asparagus has over half of the daily recommended amount of vitamin K, which is good for your bones and for proper blood clotting. It's also a great source of folate, making it particularly beneficial for pregnant women. The potassium in asparagus also makes it a good choice for those with high blood pressure, as potassium can help reduce blood pressure.
Mushrooms (Selenium, B Vitamins, Copper, Potassium)
There are of course many kinds of edible mushrooms but the ones you most commonly find in the grocery store are either white button mushrooms or crimini (baby bella) mushrooms. Mushrooms are an excellent source of the antioxidant selenium as well as B-vitamins, copper and potassium.
More Shrimp Meal Prep Recipes
I'm a big seafood lover, both from a taste and nutrition standpoint. I also love that it cooks so quickly! Naturally, shrimp are a regular part of the dinner rotation in my household. Here are a few of my favorite shrimp meal prep recipes:
Cajun Shrimp
Despite being one of our simplest recipes, these Cajun shrimp are quite popular! This dinner comes together quite quickly, ideal for a weeknight.
Grilled Coconut Shrimp with Lime
This recipe is basically summer on a plate. Enjoy it on a hot day or a night when you're longing for those summer vibes!
Shrimp Cobb Salad
My shrimp Cobb salad works well for either a light dinner or a make-ahead lunch. With bacon, shrimp and eggs, it packs in a ton of protein. This is not a skimpy salad that will leave you hungry!
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