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Creamy Shrimp Alfredo

Featured in: Main Dishes

Enjoy a comforting Shrimp Alfredo with perfectly cooked fettuccine and juicy shrimp. The rich sauce blends butter, garlic, cream, and Parmesan for a smooth, cheesy finish. Shrimp gets a quick sear before being tossed with heartwarming sauce and pasta. Sprinkle parsley for a fresh kick, and spice it up with red pepper flakes if you'd like. The creamy texture hugs every bite, making this seafood pasta a true delight.
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Twistytaste.com
Updated on Thu, 20 Mar 2025 18:15:31 GMT
Shrimp Alfredo Meal Pin it
Shrimp Alfredo Meal | twistytaste.com

Dive into a mouthwatering mix of juicy shrimp and creamy homemade Alfredo sauce in this beloved Italian-American pasta creation. This impressive dish turns basic items into a fancy dinner, showing you can make restaurant-quality food right at home. When fresh seafood meets a rich, buttery sauce over perfectly cooked pasta, you'll create an amazing meal in just 30 minutes flat.

I came across this shrimp Alfredo twist during a cooking workshop in Italy. Our teacher stressed using top-notch ingredients and getting the timing just right, turning this basic meal into something special. Whenever I cook it now, the smell of sizzling garlic and melty parmesan whisks me back to that cozy Tuscan classroom.

Key Ingredients

  • Plump large shrimp: They add a naturally sweet, gentle flavor. Go for wild-caught if you can - they taste way better
  • Heavy cream: This makes the base for that thick, silky sauce that covers everything beautifully
  • Fresh-grated Parmesan cheese: Brings tangy, salty goodness while naturally thickening your sauce
  • Great pasta: Fettuccine works best, with its wide surface that really grabs onto the sauce
  • Fresh garlic and parsley: They wake up the whole dish with their punchy flavors

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Getting Pasta Ready:
Fill a big pot with water and let it bubble vigorously. Toss in plenty of salt to boost flavor. Cook your fettuccine until it's almost al dente. Save a cup of the starchy water before you drain it.
Cooking Shrimp Just Right:
Blot your shrimp totally dry with paper towels. Sprinkle them generously with salt and fresh black pepper. Get your pan nice and hot till the oil starts to shimmer, then toss in the shrimp. Cook just until they turn pink to keep them juicy.
Whipping Up Your Sauce:
Start by melting butter with minced garlic. Pour in cream while stirring non-stop. Slowly add broth to get the texture right. Mix in cheese until everything looks smooth. Use that saved pasta water to adjust how thick you want it.
Putting Everything Together:
Put pasta back in the pan and toss with tongs until covered. Add your shrimp and warm everything through gently. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Finish with a handful of fresh herbs and extra cheese on top.
Easy Shrimp Alfredo Pin it
Easy Shrimp Alfredo | twistytaste.com

Perfecting Your Sauce Technique

Making knockout Alfredo sauce needs a bit of patience and focus. The secret is adding stuff in the right order and watching your heat levels. This way you'll get a smooth, never-separated sauce that wraps around every bit of pasta just right.

Watching Your Heat

Getting the temperature just right stops your sauce from breaking and keeps your shrimp tender. Your pan should be warm enough for a gentle bubble but never hot enough for a full boil, which can make your cream split apart.

Rounding Out Your Dinner

Pair this rich pasta with a fresh green salad dressed in lemony vinaigrette for a nice contrast. Some warm garlic bread helps mop up all that yummy sauce, and a cool glass of white wine makes everything come together beautifully.

Yummy Shrimp Alfredo Pin it
Yummy Shrimp Alfredo | twistytaste.com

After making this dish for years, I've found that taking the time to grate Parmesan fresh makes for the creamiest sauce. This small step really changes both how it feels in your mouth and how much flavor you get.

Having made this recipe countless times, I can say these methods always give amazing results. The secret to incredible shrimp Alfredo is treating each part with care. When done properly, this dish shows you can create fancy Italian food in any kitchen, no restaurant needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can frozen shrimp be used here?
Totally! Thaw them out fully, then pat dry to get a nice sear when cooking.
→ How do I keep my Alfredo sauce smooth?
Use medium-low heat and stir often when incorporating cream and cheese. Avoid boiling once you've added cheese.
→ Is it okay to prepare this ahead?
Fresh is best, but you can make the parts ahead. Mix gently when reheating, adding a splash of cream for a smooth sauce.
→ What’s a good heavy cream swap?
Half-and-half and butter work as a lighter alternative, though heavy cream gives the richest flavor.
→ Why is my sauce grainy?
This happens if cheese is added to overly hot liquid or pre-grated cheese is used. Use fresh Parmesan and keep the heat low.

Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

Tender shrimp meet creamy Parmesan sauce and fettuccine in this comforting and elegant homemade pasta meal.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian with an American twist

Yield: 4 Servings (4 hearty servings)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Pasta and Shrimp

01 1 pound large shrimp, cleaned and peeled
02 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
03 8 ounces fettuccine noodles
04 Pepper and salt, adjusted to taste

→ Rich Alfredo Sauce

05 3 cloves garlic, minced finely
06 1 tablespoon butter (unsalted)
07 1 cup heavy cream
08 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly shredded
09 1 cup chicken stock

→ Toppings

10 Chopped fresh parsley
11 Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
12 Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Instructions

Step 01

Fill a big pot with water, add a generous amount of salt, and bring it to a boil. Toss in the noodles and cook following package cooking times (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain them, then lightly coat with olive oil to keep them from sticking together.

Step 02

Toss the shrimp with olive oil, along with a pinch each of salt and pepper. Heat a large pan on medium-high, then cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side, just until they're pink and slightly curled. For extra spice, add a little red pepper. Set the shrimp aside once done.

Step 03

Using the same pan, melt the butter and cook the garlic for about a minute, just until it smells amazing. Pour in the cream and chicken stock, stirring as you go to scrape up the flavorful bits from the pan. Let everything bubble gently for a few minutes before mixing in the Parmesan until the sauce turns creamy and smooth.

Step 04

Toss the pasta with the sauce so it's all coated and creamy. Gently stir in the shrimp to heat it up again. Dish it out and sprinkle on parsley, red pepper flakes, and extra Parmesan if you'd like.

Notes

  1. Stop cooking the pasta once it's just al dente for the perfect bite.
  2. For a silky sauce, stick with freshly grated Parmesan.
  3. This dish pairs great with a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big pot for cooking the pasta
  • Wide skillet
  • Pasta strainer
  • Grater for cheese

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes shellfish (shrimp)
  • Contains dairy (cream, butter, Parmesan)
  • Includes gluten/wheat (pasta)