Another episode of stress free hosting menu ideas! This can mostly all be prepped ahead, is SO delicious. Recipe below!

Fresh Pesto:
1 c fresh basil
3 garlic cloves
1/3 cParm
1/3 c Pecorino
1/3 c Olive oil (more if needed)
Zest & juice of 1 lemon
1/2-1 tsp Kosher salt to taste
Pepper
Directions: pulse altogether in a food processor (mine linked here) until reached desired consistency. Add more olive oil if needed to thin out. Add salt to taste!
*I prefer no pine nuts so that the butter has a smoother consistency

Compound Butter:
2 sticks of room temp butter
1/2 c pesto
1/3 cup of parm & pecorino
Salt
Pepper
Directions: fold all ingredients together in a bowl. Place butter onto a sheet of Saran Wrap and fold until a log is created. Place asap into the fridge to firm up for a few hours. Can be thrown in the freezer for 30-45 min if on a time crunch!

Roasted Tomatoes
Pint of cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves Garlic, minced
Salt and pepper
*Directions: combine ingredients on a baking sheet, and roast at 400 F for 20-25 min. Take out & set aside.

Shrimp
1 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined, and pat dry with paper towels
2 tbsp salted Butter
Salt & pepper
*Directions: in a pan over medium heat, throw in butter until sizzling. Season shrimp on both sides with salt & pepper. Add to pan & sear for 1 min, then flip over to cook another few minutes. Continue this until cooked through. Shrimp will form a “C” shape and have turned pink. Remove from pan and set aside.

Directions for the Pesto Pasta:
Boil 1 lb spaghetti while tomatoes & shrimp are cooking. Wipe out pan from the shrimp, and set to low heat. Melt a few pads of pesto compound butter until sizzling. Add cooked pasta, and toss with tongs. Add more pesto butter & repeat this process until it tastes good to you. Add more Parm, cooked shrimp, toss well & take off heat. Place into serving dish, top with roasted tomatoes, fresh basil, more parm, lemon zest & juice, flaky salt to taste , and cracked black pepper. Voila!

Looking For More? Check out the rest of the series:

DINNER PARTY MENU SERIES: The Salad that had everyone talking! 

DINNER PARTY MENU SERIES: Appetizers