Gluten Free Avocado Arugula Pesto with Chipotle Shrimp

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Spicy arugula meets creamy avocado in this veggie-packed Gluten Free Avocado Arugula Pesto with Chipotle Shrimp.

Pasta Perfection

Due to my Celiac Disease diagnoses, my whole family eats gluten free at home. I have a toddler who loves to share, and I can’t risk her sharing gluten-filled foods. It makes life so much easier when everyone eats the same meals. We love this Gluten Free Avocado Arugula Pesto with Chipotle Shrimp.

We’ve been through quite a few gluten free pastas and one of my favorites is Barilla Gluten Free Pasta. The texture is similar to regular pasta and it doesn’t get mushy. It’s great because I can easily find it at my local Publix (plus there is a coupon for 75 cents off!).

Pasta is a great vehicle for getting veggies into the kiddoes. Even my toddler will eat this creamy avocado and arugula pesto. Top it off with some spicy, chipotle marinated shrimp and it is the perfect meal.

Gluten Free Avocado Arugula Pesto with Chipotle Shrimp

Barilla Gluten Free Penne Pasta is my favorite shape for pesto because it coats well and gets into all the little grooves. To get the perfect pesto texture, I use my food processor. A blender tends to puree, but if you don’t have a choice, be sure to pulse, not just let it go.

Traditional pesto uses basil, but my husband is allergic, so we like to replace it with spinach.  The spinach adds tons of vitamins and doesn’t have a strong flavor. I add a bit of almond for some added omega 3’s and a bit of parmesan for some saltiness.

For the shrimp, I use a simple marinade of chipotle peppers, olive oil, and lime. They are spicy, but the pesto will mellow them out. If you don’t like things spicy, use fewer peppers and more of the adobo sauce. They can be sauteed in a pan, but I prefer skewering them and using my cast iron grill pan for a bit of charr.

The Barilla Gluten Free Pene is quick and easy to cook. It’s al dente in about 10 minutes. Made of corn and rice, it gives you that real pasta taste. It’s also non-gmo which is alway a win for me. Perfect for this pesto!

Easy & Nutritious

I love recipes like this because they are easy and nutritious. I’m always looking for ways to add more veggies into my families diet and Barilla Gluten Free Pasta is the perfect platform.

Adding some protein, such as shrimp, makes the meal! If you have a shellfish allergy, chicken would be great as well.

One last note of importance. I’m always a bit concerned when buying gluten free foods from companies that produce large amounts of gluten-filled products. Barilla Gluten Free Pasta is made on a dedicated line and is certified gluten free. Don’t forget to grab your coupon for Barilla Gluten Free Pasta!

I hope you love this Gluten Free Avocado Arugula Pesto with Chipotle Shrimp as much as we do. If classic Mac and Cheese is more your thing, try this Gluten-free Mac and Cheese from Texin Erin!

What’s your favorite way to eat pasta? Let me know in the comments.

Happy Gluten Free Eating!

Print Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Gluten Free Avocado Arugula Pesto with Chipotle Shrimp

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

Chipotle Shrimp

• 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp peeled and devained
• 4 Tablespoons adobo sauce
• 2-4 canned chipotle chilis depending on heat desired
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 Tablespoons of olive oil

Avocado Arugula Pesto

• 2 Haas Avocados or 1 Florida
• 1 cup arugula
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup sliced toasted almonds
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons lime juice
• salt and pepper to taste

Pasta

• 12 ounce box gluten free penne pasta

Instructions

Chipotle Shrimp

• Combine peppers, adobo, salt, lime juice, and olive oil in blender (or Magic Bullet). Puree.
• Place shrimp in bowl and cover with marinade.
• Marinade for 15-30 minutes.
• Sautee for 2-3 minutes per side, careful not to over cook.

Pesto

• Combine all pesto ingredients in a food processor.
• Pulse until combined.
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Pasta

• Boil Pasta according to package directions.

Serve

• Toss pesto with pasta.
• Divide among serving dishes.
• Top with Chipotle marinated shrimp.

Notes

Prep time includes marinating shrimp. Adjust salt and pepper to taste in pesto. If pesto is to thick, add a bit more olive oil.
Shrimp can also be skewered and grilled using a grill pan.