Pasta with Pesto, Shrimp, and Cured Ham - PCOS-Friendly Recipe

Servings: 6

Dinner

This Pasta with Pesto, Shrimp, and Cured Ham is a PCOS-friendly recipe.

Nutrition per Serving

0 Calories

0g Protein

0g Carbs

0g Fat

Recipe by Danny Bowien A version of this recipe helped Danny Bowien win the Pesto World Championship in Italy in 2008. He was kind enough to let us adapt it a bit.

Ingredients

1 thin slice of garlic
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more
4 cups (packed) fresh basil leaves
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
3/4 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano
1 pound pasta (such as gemelli or fusilli)
1 ounce thinly sliced Speck, country ham, or prosciutto, chopped
2 pounds large shrimp, peeled, deveined
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Blend garlic, nuts, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 ice cube in a blender on low speed to a coarse paste.
Add basil, 1 cup oil, and 2 tablespoons ice water and purée until basil is almost incorporated. Add Parmesan and Pecorino; blend to combine.
Transfer pesto to a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly onto surface.
Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid.
Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook Speck, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 2 minutes. Add shrimp; season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until shrimp are just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; toss in pesto, pasta, and pasta cooking liquid.

PCOS-Friendly Foods in This Recipe

This recipe contains the following foods that may benefit PCOS management: Nuts, Basil.

Nuts are a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity. Basil is an excellent stress reliever, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

You Have a Recipe. But Do You Have a Full Week?

One great recipe is a start. A complete PCOS meal plan is a system. Here is how to go from one meal to a full week of eating that supports your hormones.

Take the 60-Second Quiz Tell us your PCOS type, preferences, and goals

Get Your 7-Day Meal Plan Personalized meals, grocery list, and prep schedule

Stop Guessing Every Day Know exactly what to eat, with recipes like this one built in

Build My Meal Plan

Free. Personalized. No signup required to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pasta with Pesto, Shrimp, and Cured Ham good for PCOS?

Yes, this Pasta with Pesto, Shrimp, and Cured Ham recipe is designed to be PCOS-friendly., it supports balanced blood sugar and hormonal health.

Can I eat this for Dinner with PCOS?

Yes, this recipe works well as a PCOS-friendly Dinner. Pair it with other PCOS-friendly foods throughout the day for balanced nutrition.

How do I fit this recipe into a PCOS meal plan?

This recipe can be part of a structured PCOS meal plan. It makes 6 servings, making it great for meal prep. For a complete weekly plan tailored to your PCOS type, take our free 60-second quiz at pcosmealplanner.com/pcos-quiz to get a personalized 7-day meal plan.

Comments

Cook Another PCOS-Friendly Dinner

Each recipe you add to your rotation makes PCOS management easier. Variety keeps you from getting bored and quitting.

PCOS Friendly Piadina Romagnola Recipe PCOS Gut Support: Butter Lettuce and Herbs PCOS Anti-Inflammatory: Tallow-Roasted Holy Basil Vegetables Anti-Inflammatory PCOS Tallow-Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables Strawberry and Basil Detox Water for PCOS Hydration Strawberry and Basil Infused Water for PCOS Hydration

Browse All Dinner Recipes