Imagine a dish that transports you straight to the sun-drenched coastal regions of Italy, where fresh seafood meets vibrant flavors in a symphony of culinary delight. This char grilled prawns with pesto cherry tomatoes and pasta isn't just a meal—it's a gastronomic journey that promises to elevate your home cooking from ordinary to extraordinary. With a perfect balance of smoky grilled prawns, burst-in-your-mouth cherry tomatoes, and aromatic pesto, this recipe is about to become your new go-to dinner sensation that will impress both family and guests alike.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound prawns, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup pesto
- 8 ounces pasta (e.g., spaghetti or linguine)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Peel and devein the prawns if they aren't already prepared. Rinse the cherry tomatoes under cold water and set them aside. Measure out the pesto, olive oil, and pasta.
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes for spaghetti or linguine.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Drizzle the grill with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Season the prawns with salt and pepper to taste. Once the grill is hot, add the prawns to the pan in a single layer. Grill the prawns for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Remove them from the grill and set aside.
- In the same grill pan, add the cherry tomatoes. Drizzle them with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the tomatoes for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are blistered and slightly softened.
- Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta, grilled prawns, grilled cherry tomatoes, and pesto. Toss everything together gently. If the mixture seems dry, add a little of the reserved pasta cooking water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Serve the char-grilled prawns with pesto cherry tomatoes and pasta immediately, garnished with freshly cracked black pepper and additional pesto if desired.
Tips
- Choose Fresh Prawns: Always select prawns that smell fresh and have a firm, translucent appearance.
- Don't Overcook: Prawns cook quickly—2-3 minutes per side is perfect to maintain their tender texture.
- Pesto Power: Use high-quality, fresh pesto for maximum flavor impact.
- Pasta Water Magic: Always reserve some pasta water to help create a silky, clingy sauce.
- Grill Temperature Matters: Medium-high heat ensures beautiful char marks without burning.
- Let Ingredients Shine: Use minimal seasoning to allow the natural flavors of prawns and tomatoes to stand out.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 412kcal
Carbohydrates: 49g
Protein: 17g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 55mg
