CBD Pesto Pasta with Spicy Shrimp
By Jeff Eckenrode
Image credit: Farhad Ibrahimzade
Quick Answer: Spice up dinner with CBD Pesto Pasta featuring spicy shrimp! This easy, nutrient-packed recipe blends protein, healthy fats, and a flavorful CBD-infused pesto for a delicious, relaxing edible. Perfect for date night or a cozy weekday meal—find RSO CBD oil and more at Hashtag Redmond
CBD-infused edibles
Looking to spice up your edible game?
Then this recipe is a must try for pasta-lovers and shrimp-lovers everywhere.
It’s a healthy, delicious, and piccant meal that combines lots of healthy fats, proteins, complex carbs, and a one-of-a-kind CBD-infused pesto.
Can’t wait to give it a try? Then keep reading to see what you’ll need and why infusing your next meal with CBD is a great idea.
Image credit: Caroline Attwood
Why infuse pesto with CBD?
Not only is pesto shrimp pasta delicious and flavorful, it’s packed with complex carbohydrates, protein and nutrients too.
And thankfully, our pesto sauce recipe contains healthy fats from cold-pressed olive oil. Which makes it a perfect medium to infuse products like CBD oil into!
Ready to start? Then here’s what you’ll need:
Image credit: okeykat
Ingredients for making a CBD Pesto Pasta With Spicy Shrimp
CBD Raw Pesto:
½ cup fresh parsley
½ cup cherry tomatoes
1 tbsp pine nuts
2 medium garlic cloves
2 tbsp olive oil
0.25 mL RSO CBD Oil
A pinch of salt and black pepper to taste
Shrimp Pasta:
½ lb Uncooked, peeled & deveined frozen shimp
8 oz uncooked penne pasta
1 lb asparagus, cut into 2-inch pieces
1-2 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt and black pepper to taste
Image credit: Michal Balog
Instructions for making CBD Pesto Pasta With Spicy Shrimp:
For the pesto: Place your CBD RSO oil syringe in a cup of hot water for about 5-10 minutes. This will help the RSO become less solid and flow much more easily when dispensing it from the syringe.
Once warmed, combine your olive oil with 0.25mL of CBD RSO in a small bowl and stir thoroughly to combine.
Rinse off the leafy greens under cold water and place all the pesto ingredients and the infused-olive oil in a food processor. Blend until the pesto becomes a smooth sauce.
Scoop the pesto sauce with a spoon and transfer it to a small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.
For the shrimp pasta: in a large pot, boil water over medium heat and add the uncooked penne pasta. Cook according to package directions.
Thaw frozen shrimp in a colander under cool water. Once thawed, pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
Grab a large saucepan and heat butter along with olive oil over medium heat until fully melted.
Dip both sides of the shrimp in the previously ground red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper before adding them to the pan. Once added, squeeze in the lemon juice and cook until the shrimp turns pink on each side.
Wash the asparagus and cut into 2-inch blocks. Add the asparagus to the pasta for the last 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain and set aside.
Once your shrimp have been thoroughly cooked, add the pasta and asparagus to the pan. Saute for about a minute and remove from heat.
Mix in 6–8 tablespoons of pesto. Add cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and top the meal with shaved Parmesan cheese.
And voila! You’ve just made a delicious, easy and fun CBD-infused edible, perfect for your next weekday dinner or date night.
Image credit: Karolina Kołodziejczak
Storing your CBD Pesto Pasta With Spicy Shrimp:
When you’re done you can cover the bowl with plastic wrap or Tupperware with a lid and refrigerate.
Pasta generally last 3-5 days in the refrigerator when stored properly.
For optimal freshness, keep ingredients separate until ready to assemble, use airtight containers.
Where Can I Find RSO for my Pesto Pasta?
Whether you’re shopping online or in Redmond, we’re here to help you find what you need, when you need it. That includes RSO for your Pesto Pasta!
Click on our online menu link below to see our current availability.
FAQ CBD Pesto Pasta with Spicy Shrimp
Why is pesto sauce a great base for CBD infusion?
Pesto is made primarily with cold-pressed olive oil, which is naturally rich in healthy fats — and since CBD is fat-soluble, it bonds to those fats beautifully for optimal absorption. Blending 0.25mL of CBD RSO directly into the olive oil before processing it with the other pesto ingredients ensures the CBD is evenly distributed throughout the entire sauce. Every bite delivers a consistent, well-absorbed dose!
Will CBD pesto pasta get me high?
Nope! This recipe uses CBD RSO, which is non-intoxicating. You won't experience the euphoric high associated with THC — instead, most people enjoy a gradual, calm, and relaxed feeling as the edible is digested. It's a fantastic option for a cozy, wind-down weeknight dinner or a chill date night without any psychoactive effects.
How do I add CBD RSO to pesto without it clumping?
The trick is to warm your RSO syringe first! Place it in a cup of hot water for 5–10 minutes before dispensing — this softens the thick oil so it flows smoothly and blends seamlessly into your olive oil base. Once warmed, stir the 0.25mL of CBD RSO into the olive oil first, then add it to the food processor along with the rest of the pesto ingredients. Easy and clump-free!
Can I make the CBD pesto sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! The pesto is actually a great component to prep in advance. Once blended, transfer it to a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. It'll keep nicely for a few days, so you can make a batch at the start of the week and use it whenever you're ready to cook. Just give it a quick stir before tossing it with hot pasta, as the olive oil may separate slightly when chilled.
How spicy is this CBD pesto pasta dish?
Pretty spicy! The shrimp are coated in both red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper before hitting the pan, giving them a bold, fiery kick. If you prefer a milder dish, simply reduce or skip the cayenne — the red pepper flakes alone give a nice warmth without overwhelming heat. The fresh pesto and lemon juice balance it all out beautifully either way.
How long does CBD pesto pasta with shrimp keep in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, the pasta will keep for 3–5 days in the refrigerator. For the best results, store the CBD pesto sauce separately from the cooked pasta and shrimp, and combine when you're ready to reheat. This keeps the pasta from absorbing all the sauce and getting dry. Always label any container with CBD pesto clearly as infused!
Want to learn more about cannabis-infused recipes and edibles?
Then check out our collection of related posts here!