May the Fourth Galactic Squid Ink Pasta with Jedi Pesto
Black pasta, bright pesto, and star-worthy shrimp.
Daily recipe · May 04, 2026
A little about this dish
Celebrate Star Wars Day with a dramatic, galaxy-inspired main course: black squid ink pasta twirled into a dark starfield, topped with seared shrimp, neon-green basil pistachio pesto, and tiny bursts of roasted tomatoes. The dish feels cinematic and iconic for May the 4th, while still being very doable for a home cook. Squid ink gives the pasta its deep space-black color, pesto brings a lightsaber-bright contrast, and lemon, garlic, and chili keep everything fresh and vivid.
Ingredients (for 4)
- Squid ink spaghetti — 12 oz
- Large shrimp — 1 lb — peeled and deveined, tails optional
- Cherry tomatoes — 1 pint
- Fresh basil leaves — 2 packed cups
- Shelled pistachios — 1/3 cup — lightly toasted
- Parmesan cheese — 1/2 cup — finely grated
- Lemon — 1 whole — zested and juiced
- Garlic — 4 cloves — 2 cloves for pesto and 2 cloves minced for shrimp
- Red pepper flakes — 1/2 tsp
- Microgreens — 1/2 cup — for garnish
- Unsalted butter — 2 tbsp
- Extra-virgin olive oil — 6 tbsp — divided
- Kosher salt — 2 tsp — plus more to taste
- Black pepper — 1/2 tsp
Preparation
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Step 1 — 💧🫧🍝Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil for the squid ink spaghetti.
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Step 2 — 🌿🥜🧄Blend the basil, pistachios, Parmesan, 2 garlic cloves, lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 4 tablespoons olive oil until mostly smooth. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons water if needed, then season with a pinch of kosher salt and black pepper.
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Step 3 — 🍅🔥✨Toss the cherry tomatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of kosher salt, then roast at 425°F for 10 to 12 minutes until blistered and juicy.
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Step 4 — 🍤🌶️🧄Pat the shrimp dry, then toss with the 2 minced garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil.
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Step 5 — 🍝⏲️🥄Cook the squid ink spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
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Step 6 — 🍤🧈🔥Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the butter, and cook the shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove to a plate.
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Step 7 — 🍝🌿🥣Return the drained pasta to the pot or a large skillet over low heat. Add half the pesto and a splash of reserved pasta water, then toss until glossy and lightly coated. Add more pesto or pasta water as needed.
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Step 8 — 🍝🍤🍅Twirl the pasta onto plates and top with the seared shrimp and blistered cherry tomatoes.
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Step 9 — 🥄💚🎨Spoon a little of the remaining pesto around and over the pasta for extra flavor and color.
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Step 10 — 🌱🍋✨Finish with the remaining lemon zest, microgreens, and a final drizzle of olive oil. Sprinkle extra chopped pistachios if desired, then serve right away.
A final fox tip
For extra Star Wars flair, serve on large white plates to maximize the galaxy effect, or cut a few Parmesan crisps into star shapes for garnish. You can swap shrimp for scallops or keep it vegetarian by using roasted oyster mushrooms instead. Fun plating idea: make one bold green pesto streak across the plate like a lightsaber.